The Young Conductor

There I was, enjoying an amazing concert by The Philadelphia Orchestra at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts when this little boy sitting next to me starting conducting the orchestra. It was 6 year old Jalen Robinson, and he was loving “Peter and The Wolf” narrated by Joy and Regis Philbin. Yes, THAT Regis!

I kept watching Jalen and the serious expressions on his face as he brought in the drums, the strings … and he was totally entranced.  Well, of course, I thought of KIDFUN!

How wonderful to expose children to classical music when they are young, to get it in their soul! And, what could be better than making the experience interactive by getting them in the act by “being” the conductor  or one of the players. My hat’s off to Jalen’s mom Drisana for sharing this music with him.

It’s a great idea for everyone. Play “Peter and The Wolf” for your child to enjoy. Find it on YouTube performed by an orchestra. Then give him a “baton” so he can lead the orchestra just like the conductor he saw on the video. Actually, he can wave his arms just fine, even without a baton. Try it in the car, too. Play the classical station and see if he can conduct the music while driving along. Before you know it, you’ll reach your destination and your little one will have had his first lesson in classical music.

Have a musical day!