For me, one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences is listing to instrumental music. No, I don’t mean elevator music. I mean the beautiful sounds that are created by a symphony.
As far back as I can remember, I’ve listened to music created by symphonies. First, on AM radio when I was young and in the car with my dad as he drove us around town, then the appreciation grew as I began to study music and play an instrument in grade 5 right through high school.
Growing up in Toronto, we were lucky to have the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) and the beautiful Roy Thomson Hall to enjoy their beautiful sounds at.
We enjoyed school trips downtown to hear the Symphony, which gave us an opportunity to learn more about our chosen instruments. And if you were wondering, I was a percussionist, after a successful elementary school musical career playing the recorder. I actually played the soprano, alto and tenor recorder, I should mention. Not just that $3.00 one that most play.
It was important that music play a part in my both my nieces’ lives from a young age. They began taking piano lessons early on and continue to take them. So with music being important to all of us, I was happy when I came across the Young People’s Concerts that the TSO put on throughout the year.
They offer about four Saturday afternoon (2pm and 4pm) concerts each year. The concerts are no longer than one hour (and there is no intermission), so all those little ones that might get a little fidgety when they sit too long, don’t even have a chance to get to that point. Plus, every concert has more than just beautiful music. Usually there’s some kind of act that joins the Symphony from mimes to dancers to singers. This helps to keep the children engaged while listening and learning to appreciate this great music.
My nieces were always so enthralled by the shows. Plus going to a concert meant a trip downtown on the subway, as their Auntie is a transit girl. And it’s amazing how much fun transit can be when you’re young, so that entire TSO experience from door to door, was always a special one.
This year they have a variety of great shows as part of the series, plus a few additional ones added on. The remaining concerts in the 2016/2017 series include:
- Lights, Camera…Orchestra! – Feb. 25, 2017
- How the Gimquat Found Her Song – March 25, 2017
- The Hockey Sweater – April 29, 2017
and not part of the series but a great additional concert to consider:
- Disney-Pixar Ratatouille in Concert – Feb. 18, 2017
For us this year, my nieces’ schedules have gotten busier, so I wasn’t able to purchase the series. But, luckily I came across this festive TSO concert for my youngest niece and I to attend, The Twelve Days of Christmas. But don’t worry, you still have a chance to check out this great show, as it’s on again on Sunday Dec. 11, 2016, at 3pm, and tickets are still available.
This concert was fantastic, as really helps to get young and older into the holiday spirit with a great selection of holiday classics and new favourites (yes, a song or two from Frozen). Plus an amazing production of the Twelve Days of Christmas, narrated by the wonderful and funny Colin Mochrie, including many others as you can imagine to act out those 12 days.
We had the most wonderful time and left singing the songs as we stopped for a hot chocolate before jumping on the subway for a fun ride home.
The TSO does a fantastic job introducing young people to the wonder of music and instruments. I know that our time attending these concerts over the years have created memorable experiences for both my nieces and myself. And I love that events like this help to introduce children to the arts and how to appreciate what the arts offers.
Aunts and Uncles, you should definitely consider attending at least one or all of the upcoming concerts with your nieces and nephews.
© 2016 – 2017, Anne-Marie. All rights reserved.
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