There is solid evidence to suggest that classical music is great for children and their developing brain. Some parents even play their favourite classical pieces to their children in utero, graduating to Baby Mozart when baby arrives Earthside. But when is the best time to introduce children to live classical music? My curiosity around this has led me to do a fair bit of reading, all which suggested that from around 24 months onwards, live classical music can be beneficial.
Babies Proms has been running at the Sydney Opera House since I was a little girl. In my opinion, it is the perfect setting to introduce your child to orchestral music and live performance with each show recommended for kids 2 – 5 years. My kids are now a little too old to attend so, when my invitation to attend the opening of Babies Proms : Music for Tutus arrived in my inbox, I asked my good friend Clare to come along with her little cherub so we could get a feel for the show.
As you would expect, children aged 2 – 5 have a very short attention span. They find sitting still for long periods of time very difficult and become restless quickly. Young children like movement. They are innately inquisitive and have an insatiable curiosity about their surroundings…touching, licking, smelling. Taking such wriggly little ones to the theatre may not sound like a good plan, right? Babies Proms positively reframes this idea and makes it fun for everyone.
Sheer brilliance is behind the development of Babies Proms. The age range is clearly considered when constructing the show so movement by the audience is embedded into the performance. Each show is 35 minutes in length – no interval of course! This timing factors in little ones attention spans, getting it right for their age. Seating…well there is no seating in the conventional sense with the theatre set up with open seating and a floor area where children can sit, stand, move and dance. Wriggling doesn’t pose a problem at all. Phew!
Babies Proms : Music for Tutus introduces children to the genius that is Tchaikovsky through small pieces taken from The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Two ballet dancers, Emma and Jacob, retell highlights of each story through dance which is almost like witchcraft, luring both children and adults alike into the fantasy of the music. Our show was filled with the laughter, clapping of hands and little bottom wiggles by the kids as they expressed their fascination and happiness.
The highlight for our little audience member was the live orchestra. He became extremely excited about all the instruments and the movement made by the musicians playing them. At the end of the performance, Emma and Jacob the ballet dancers, moved into the audience to meet the kids. This was received with glee by almost all the kids. So will we go back? Heck yes – I think this would also be the perfect gift for a special occasion.
Babies Proms : Music for Tutus sessions have begun and continue right through to 20 March, 2016. Tickets start at $20.00 with an Access-Friendly performance available.
Thank you to Sydney Opera House for inviting us to the opening and for permission to use images (first image our own). All opinions are our own.
Babies Proms are one of my absolute fave things to do at the Opera House. This one was particularly gorgeous.
It’s so worth it! Perfection