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You might not think a symphony is kid friendly. With long stretches of music, potentially uncomfortable dress clothes, and the fact that sitting still is a guaranteed part of the audience experience, it might not seem like the best activity for your little ones. But that's where the Utah Symphony's Family Series is different.
Designed specifically for the youngest music lovers, this special concert series brings three delightful and engaging performances to the stage each year — perfectly crafted to spark a child's imagination and introduce them to the symphony. Plus, this head start on music appreciation has so many benefits. Exposure to music like prime pathways in the brain and inspire them to play an instrument — not to mention the impact on social learning!
Each Family Series concert not only includes a stunning symphony performance tailored for children ages 3-10, but before every show, the lobby is filled with fun activities to kickstart the kids' excitement! From group art projects and themed photo-ops to souvenir crafts and performance-themed snacks, memories will be made before the performance even begins!
When it comes to the concert itself, the Utah Symphony knows that sitting still, especially when surrounded by your favorite people, can sometimes be difficult for kids. That's why all Family Series concerts are roughly 60 minutes with a relaxed atmosphere. Plus, many programs are even interactive with chances to move, sing and laugh. It's perfect for excited and wiggly bodies under 10!
Now that you know a bit more about the Utah Symphony's Family Series, don't miss the final two performances of the season — beginning with Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf."
For nearly nine decades, kids have discovered the symphony orchestra through Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf" — the tale of a young boy who captures a menacing wolf with the help of his animal friends. As the charming story is narrated, the music vividly illustrates the adventure with different instruments representing each character — from the chirping bird played by the flute to the grumbling grandfather depicted by the bassoon, to Peter's own heroic melody singing out in the strings. In fact, nearly every orchestra section is represented by a fun character in the story.
And in a delightful twist, audiences will get to hear from the duck's perspective following Peter's success in besting the wolf. It's not easy being stuck inside a big, scary wolf for that long! Created by author Ruthie Prillaman and local Utah composer Andrew Maxfield, "What About the Duck?" is a captivating (and brand-new) sequel that tells the rest of the story!
Children will have the chance to follow along with the stories through the music and accompanying illustrations projected above the orchestra! The artwork, commissioned by the Utah Symphony, was created by Claire Taylor and Kevin Lu specifically for this concert.
But the musical adventure doesn't stop there. In fact, the Utah Symphony, in collaboration with The Clark Planetarium, is ready to prepare for lift off with a brand-new journey that's literally out of this world!
"An Outer Space Adventure" is the fantastic story of an imaginative child. Kids — and parents — will watch an up-for-anything babysitter travel the solar system in their state-of-the-art rocket ship (made of cardboard!). Enjoy space-themed music from "Star Wars, 2001: A Space Odyssey," Holst's "The Planets", and more as their journey through the cosmos features the planetarium's graphics and footage projected onto our big screen. (Psst: Utah Symphony uses the same big screen in the Films in Concert Series where they play amazing scores in sync with the feature film.)
Budding astronauts will also have the chance to pose with the cardboard rocket before the launch, as well as brush up on their planetary knowledge (like how Pluto was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006) with the help of interactive stations provided by The Clark Planetarium in the lobby.
With daytime performances at Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City (11 a.m. and 12:30 pm.) or a performance at Austad Auditorium at the Val A. Browning Center (7 p.m.), now's the perfect time to take the kids to the Utah Symphony for their first Family Series concert. Tickets start at just $5, so bring the whole family for a day of musical (and magical) memories.
