Our Plum took up violin at school this year. She is incredibly interested in music but doesn’t have a particular focus at the moment. She had violin lessons when younger, then singing, then guitar, and now she’s back to violin. We love being able to offer her opportunities to experience all genres of music. Recently, we’ve begun trying to locate live music events to attend that are age appropriate.
The Madison Symphony Orchestra is one of the only symphonies in the nation to open up rehearsal sessions to the general public free of charge! It is a tremendous educational opportunity for both young and old. Since the rehearsal is free, there is no guilt for leaving early if you aren’t enjoying it, or if you have a child that just can’t sit still for too long. We ended up leaving after the first hour, but not because we weren’t having a good time—it just got too late in the evening for our family.
We had thought that the audience would be comprised mostly of high school and college music students. Oddly enough, Plum was the only young person in attendance, surrounded by middle aged adults. When the doors opened, ushers helped everyone find a seat in one reserved section of the theater. We settled in while the musicians were warming up with scales, and tuning their instruments. Then, with limited introduction, the conductor got down to business. The orchestra played an entire piece, heard feedback from the conductor’s assistant, and then replayed only certain sections.
After the first piece, half the players were dismissed, and a smaller contingent stayed on to rehearse a Beethoven Piano Concerto with Gabriela Montero. Ms. Montero played at President Obama’s first inauguration alongside Yo Yo Ma. The Beethoven piece was definitely more rousing than the first piece and managed to really engage our Plum. When we were ready to go, we waited for a break when the orchestra stopped playing, and then snuck out quietly.
The Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Open Dress Rehearsal is a fantastic way to expose children to the symphony, to get a chance to see a live show that you might otherwise not be able to afford, or as an option for a great budget-friendly date night! Check out their schedule and get on the reserved list! Plum is already asking about when she can go again.