Is it realistic to expect a 7-year-old to go to classical music concerts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. These are great ideas. We've done kids concerts at the Kennedy Center. Today's episode erupted because A had bought two tickets to the concert at Strathmore and sprung them on DC, and DC refused to go. (Yes, I am B. )

Why just two tix when there are three of you? Anyway, why don't you guys hire a sitter and go for some couple time?

[Anonymous]

Wolftrap is great for this-- lawn seats, picnic, can move around. Also second NSO family series. But we also have taken the kids to less expensive symphonies (like the Fairfax symphony-- free student tickets) and just agreed ahead of time to leave at intermission, which cuts it down to 45 minutes. Student performances at a local college are another way to do this. Or at places like Levine school of music.

I love exposing my kids, but agree with you. If you force them to sit there after they are done with it, you end up turning them off of music altogether. You got to know your audience and go with it.

Buy DH a Kennedy Center NSO 3 pack for his next holiday and hire a babysitter.

[Anonymous]

I've played in multiple orchestras, am a grown man, and still find classical music concerts boring at times.

[Anonymous]

I would have been bored to tears by that.

[Anonymous]

I took my kids to the NSO family concerts first. Then when it was time for their first adult concert, I got tickets to Cirque d'Symphony. Everyone loved it. The kids wanted to go back the following year. So we did. And we gradually worked our way up to being able to sit through a concert with music only.

[Anonymous]

Just go to half the concert. The free ones. (I'm a professional musician)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it pretty obnoxious that your husband is trying to decide what should interest your kid.

Looked at another way, parents have the opportunity to expose their children to lots of different things. Some of them are easy to get interested in, some make take some training. I appreciate Shakespeare plays because I've learned about them previously. They might not be so fun if I had no idea what I was getting into.

[Anonymous]

OP,

On this board you'll get a majority of parents who think children should not be subjected to classical music concerts.

I happen to disagree. In our little circle of parents whose kids frequent the same music school, free or reduced tickets to events at Strathmore and the Philharmonic are often given to students. Many of us take advantage of them.

It's a discipline at first, like many other things - a child might sit grumpily and not appreciate the first few concerts, but as the habit grows (and there are many ways of making it fun, like having a special dinner out and being allowed to stay up late on that night), then music appreciation develops and becomes a lifelong source of pleasure. The point is not to wait until they're teens and rebel at everything you suggest. A little resistance is normal at first, though.

Of course, I'm not talking about a hyperactive child who just cannot sit still, or someone who deeply hates classical music! I don't think a school routine should be regularly perturbed by late night concerts either. But a normal child who practices an instrument and goes to the occasional concert - that's as it should be

[Anonymous]

Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Their shows are amazing!

[Anonymous]

It depends on the type of music that is being played. Took DC to the salute to Vienna and they totally loved it. Look for lighter type music and /shorter concerts.

[Anonymous]

My parents took my siblings and I not only to concerts but to operas and to the ballet when I was age 6 (I was the,youngest). However, we knew how to behave in public so that made all the difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent A wants 7-year-old DC to go to classical music concerts with A. DC plays an instrument and enjoys classical music at home. But DC not keen on going to the concerts, complaining that it's boring and too long. Parent A is disappointed, which manifests as deep annoyance, and thinks DC should have more interest and better ability to pay attention for longer amounts of time. Parent B thinks it's unfair to get mad and thinks A is expecting too much.

What say you?

Remind Parent A that it's better, in the long run, to raise the kid you actually have, rather than the kid you wish you had.

[Anonymous]

Completely agree with PP 11:03. And there are many ways to deepen appreciation of classical music that do not require a child to sit still and be quiet for 45 minutes at a stretch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Completely agree with PP 11:03. And there are many ways to deepen appreciation of classical music that do not require a child to sit still and be quiet for 45 minutes at a stretch.

I agree too. I was dragged to classical music concerts as a kid and to this day I detest classical music.

[Anonymous]

I grew up going to classical music concerts. I always brought a book to read, and a small bag of quiet candy to eat. Plus I often fell asleep - yes they can be long and boring to a 7 year old! Seriously, try the candy - it made it all worth it to 7 year old me.