As it is for a lot of families, music is a big deal in our house. B is a huge music lover and believes it’s important for children to hear great music from a young age — though how exactly to introduce them to music in an engaging way can sometimes be a more complex question.
Recently, I learned one simple (and ingenious) approach to this problem when I was invited to the home of a neighborhood mom for a casual, one-hour music concert for children (and their parents/caregivers). Stephanie Woo — a Montessori trained teacher and mom to twin two-year-old girls — noticed how her girls were fascinated by musicians in the subway (they were living in New York City at the time) and thought it would be fun if they could experience music like that in a more structured way — and so she began hosting regular live children’s concerts in her own home.
Stephanie tracked down musicians willing to come into her home and play for 45-60 minutes to an audience of little ones and their parents. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, so she kept the concerts going, bringing the idea here to Baltimore when she moved.
To compensate the musicians, Stephanie charges a small fee per child — usually $5 — so she doesn’t have to eat all the cost herself. And she invites parents and caregivers to bring snacks and drinks for their kids.
My girls and I have been to three concerts: A violinist came one afternoon, a French horn player the next time, and a guitarist most recently. Each musician played a few children’s songs — like Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, This Old Man, and The Itsy Bitsy Spider – but they also played selections from their own musical repertoires: classical, bluegrass, celtic music, even (in the case of the guitarist) a little rock and some contemporary selections. Each musician introduced the instrument at the beginning, allowed the children to touch and examine it, and encouraged singing and dancing to the songs.
This is not a quiet, attentive audience — something impossible when you have babies, toddlers, and preschoolers doing their thing. It helps that Stephanie’s home is set up Montessori-style, so it’s an inviting place for children. But this is probably best described as a play-date with live music, rather than a concert; the point is not to force children to sit and appreciate music like adults but to expose them to the sights and sounds of live instruments, make music fun, and have them hear a variety of musical selections.
Sadly for those of us who’ve enjoyed these events, Stephanie and her family are packing up for Oregon next week. I’m hoping someone else in the neighborhood will pick up the baton; it’s certainly something I’d consider in the future, once we have more space… But I’m grateful to Stephanie for introducing me (and the girls!) to such a great idea. It’s a simple, creative way to help children learn to love good music — no matter how old they are.
Are you a music-lover? How have you brought music into your family life?
Images: Zoe Saint-Paul. The cutie in the hat and glasses is S enjoying a concert; our host, Stephanie, and one of her daughters is pictured above.
Hello, I'm Zoe Saint-Paul. I'm a writer, life coach, and new mama to twins who's trying to live "slower" in a speed-obsessed world. Here we chat about life and love, food and design, and everything in between -- all at the right pace. So grab some tea, pull up a chair, and join the conversation. Feel free to 
What a fantastic idea! Most musicians I know are happy to teach kids about their instrument, and that kind of hands-on approach must have really appealed to the littles. I hope you guys find a way to keep it going!
I have a friend who was studying classical violin at the Peabody Conservatory, and I invited him to come over for brunch one weekend when my sister’s family was visiting. He brought his violin and played for 20 minutes or so — doing a few show-off moves for the kids — and the boys were fascinated. They already listen to classical music at home, so they recognized some of the pieces he played, which I think made them even more excited. Kids have a greater capacity for appreciating good music than I think we sometimes give them credit for…
What a great idea. Hope someone around here plans one!
Friends of ours have a sort-of all-ages talent show each year at their home, where beginners of all ages share their (mosty musical) skills. It is another way to share a love of music, plus celebrate the fact that we are all always learning.
I agree with Margaret that children have a great capacity for appreciating good music, but I would add that they need to be exposed early in order to shape their tastes and perhaps inoculate them against what sometimes passes for music! (I have tried with mixed success to introduce the 4th graders I teach to classical music.) I think it is great to expose children to classical music–and other good music–and we did this with our children. My husband loves Mozart, so very early on the kids knew “The Magic Flute”–and now our three little grandchildren ages 6, 4, and 2 enjoy this opera. I like early music and music of the Baroque era, so our kids heard this, too. They also heard folk music, including Irish music, and show music. Five of the nine took piano lessons (with three advancing to playing really well), one took violin (she played in high school and college orchestras), one of the pianists also took flute for a few years, and one can play guitar a bit. When kids are old enough I recommend you have them take lessons. As for the success of our efforts, I would say that as adults and almost-adults our nine are open to and appreciate good music of many types. So do try to keep up the kiddie play-date/concerts! I really think this is a terrific idea.
What a wonderful idea! I hope someone in your neighborhood keeps it going so H and S can continue to enjoy it. Music is big over here, too – afterall, Craig and I met through the band program in college – so we have quite a few musical toys. K’s favorite is one that plays only Mozart selections, and by pressing the various buttons, she can choose which instruments she wants to hear. We also have her in a Music Together class, which is fantastic. I just signed her up for another session.
Those in-home concerts sound marvelous! Something to replace them with might be the Kinderkonzerts at the Kennedy Center. They are short (around an hour) and interactive and you’re invited to come early for the “Instrument Petting Zoo,” where you can get up close and personal with the instruments and the instrumentalists. I’m planning to take my nieces (6 and 4) to one this spring. In other ideas, there are a ton of great classical CDs out there targeted toward kids in various ways, whether it be just the choice of kid-friendly selections or more elaborate efforts to instruct. I started my nieces and nephew off with the Classical Kids CD of The Magic Flute. It’s the opera, shortened, in English, with the story changed a bit to incorporate two kids who enter the world of the opera. My nieces and nephew LOVE it. I followed it up with an English-language DVD of the real Magic Flute, and my nieces and nephew were asking for repeat viewings. My sister has gotten them a couple other Classical Kids CDs, which have been very successful. The Kennedy Center giftshop is a pretty good source of children’s books about the arts, and of course there’s a lot on Amazon if you are willing to put in the time searching. I recently started a blog on the arts generally and in D.C. in particular, and one of the things I intend to write about is my efforts (and the resources I use) to get my nieces and nephew hooked on opera. It’s a cause that’s dear to my heart. I think the most important thing is to expose them to opera, classical, all the arts early. It’s never too early! Kids are naturally drawn to great music, I think, and if you get it into their souls early, it will stay there. It certainly did for me.