Host Editorial: Winter 2013

Share

Kids and Culture
by Janine Miller, Announcer

Janine MillerAs a parent, over the years, I’ve often heard complaints that  children know more about video games than Vivaldi.
 
 
 
 
 

It’s easy to point fingers, and I heartily encourage people support funding of the arts.  But, it’s also our job, as parents, grandparents, or anyone who loves the arts, to enrich the next generation with the opportunities of greater Phoenix.
 

The Phoenix Symphony offers many ways to attend with your children.  The most “kid-friendly” are the Family Series concerts, on Sunday afternoons.  The programs have a theme and are usually about an hour or so.  Be sure to arrive early for fun pre-concert events related to the theme of the concert.  This year’s Family Series concerts include “The Polar Express”, “Mozart’s Magnificent Voyage”, and a musical who-dun-it called “The Composer is Dead”.   There’s also a special concert called “Cirque de la Symphonie” that brings acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, strongmen and other exciting circus thrills to Symphony Hall. In addition, the Phoenix Symphony offers generous discounts for kids, teachers, college students, and veterans.  Visit their website at www.phoenixsymphony.org.
 
 

There are also many fine ensembles in the Phoenix area which charge little or nothing for their programs.  Groups like the symphony orchestras in Chandler or Tempe come to mind, as well as the many concerts given at ASU, community colleges,  churches and the like.  

 
 


Ballet doesn’t have to be limited to The Nutcracker, but that’s a great  start!  We’ve attended performances by Arizona Ballet and Ballet Etudes and have greatly enjoyed our experiences with both.  When I was six, my mother and I shared an unforgettable Nutcracker bond here in Phoenix.  It was a special time also, because Mom chose to spend her all-too-scarce time with me—one-on-one.  My three sisters and two brothers stayed at home with Dad.

This leads me to my tips on how to make cultural enrichment a truly special time.  

1)    LEAVE INFANTS AND CHILDREN UNDER 3 AT HOME!  Consider how unfair it is to ask for such super-human restraint from a young child as having to sit still for several hours…in a strange,  dark place, with sudden loud noises (such as cymbal crashes).  It is also extremely unfair to other event-goers, not to mention the performers!   It’s far better to get a relative or babysitter … and make an exceptional memory with a child who is old enough to appreciate it.

2)    WHEN CHILDREN ARE YOUNG, SIT NEAR AN EXIT --In case a quick get-away is needed, it is preferable to sit as near to the back or an exit as possible.  Even above the age of three, children can become tired, restless, impatient, or loud.  Or, an unexpected and urgent need to go to the restroom can create a problem for you and for others around you if you cannot slip out easily.

3)    PLAN TO STAY FOR SHORTER TIME PERIODS AT FIRST, gradually working your child up to an entire program.  Check out the program (preferably before arrival) to see which pieces would be the most interesting for him/her, how long each one lasts, and when intermission will occur.  Many orchestras will have flyers available ahead of time with the specific order of the musical pieces, or you can obtain this info on the orchestra’s website.  Also, visit the events page on www.kbach.org.  Then, plan to leave early, arrive late, or both.

4)    MAKE IT A TRULY SPECIAL TIME—BEFORE AND AFTER.  Consider bringing a favorite stuffed animal, book or other quiet activity for those few minutes before the event starts.  Afterwards, even if you only stay for a planned twenty minutes, celebrate the event with a trip to a restaurant, yogurt or smoothie place, etc., where you can praise the child for his/her grown-up behavior and talk about favorite parts of the program.

I firmly believe that classical music and the other fine arts should be a vital part of the upbringing of each child.  There is no doubt that children are capable of understanding (and enjoying) more than some people give them credit for.  Don’t have children or grandchildren of your own nearby?   Ask your friends and neighbors if you can share an arts-event with their children.   Following the tips above, you will take a proactive giant step toward enriching the minds and imaginations of future concert-goers…and leaders of tomorrow.