Even The Florida Orchestra musicians get into the spirit of Holiday Pops.
Photography by Andi Tafelski
Taking your child to a live orchestra concert can be a powerful experience. But what’s the right age? What’s the right concert? The Florida Orchestra – the largest orchestra in the state – offers a range of performances at the Mahaffey Theater that are perfect for young listeners. With the right approach, you can turn a night at the symphony into a lifelong love of music.
Start with family-friendly concerts: That’s easy around the holidays. In December, The Florida Orchestra presents Disney’s Frozen in Concert, where kids can watch the full movie on a giant screen while the orchestra brings the soundtrack to life on the stage below. Or start a family tradition with Holiday Pops, full of festive classics the whole family will recognize. If your kids are into cartoons, the orchestra will perform Bugs Bunny at the Symphony in the spring.
What’s the right age? Generally, orchestras recommend young patrons be at least 5 years old, but every child is different. Some factors to consider are the child’s attention span and interest in music. Many Florida Orchestra concerts offer Sunday matinees, so you don’t have to worry about staying out past bedtime.
Don’t shy away from classical Masterworks concerts: They can be a great source of inspiration at any age. If your child is taking piano or violin lessons, look for concerts that feature their instrument. For example, Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 is coming up in January and Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 follows in February. Consider Florida Orchestra concerts with crowd-pleasing composers, such as Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, both conducted by Music Director Michael Francis in March.
Listen and learn: Listening to the featured works at home or in the car beforehand can help generate excitement. For a deeper connection, older children might enjoy learning about the music through the orchestra’s audio program notes podcast. Each episode includes music excerpts and can be listened to anytime, anywhere. All Masterworks concerts offer free pre-concert conversations with the conductor and soloists, starting one hour before the performance.
Take advantage of discounts: The Florida Orchestra offers free classical Masterworks tickets for kids and teens ages 5-18 with a paying adult, thanks to an anonymous donor. They also offer $20 kids tickets for Pops and other select concerts. Both are available in advance through the orchestra’s Ticket Center. Discounted tickets also are available to students, teachers, military and first responders.
Introducing your child to live music through The Florida Orchestra is a chance to ignite their creativity, spark curiosity and nurture a lasting appreciation for the arts and the world around them. With a little planning, it can be an experience that stays with them for years to come.
To discover more about The Florida Orchestra and to get tickets: FloridaOrchestra.org
