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. )

Parent A can promise that they leave at intermission. One hour is doable at age 7. The issue is when the concert goes beyond that, which concerts geared to adults almost always do.

Capital City Symphony does a family concert once a year so you should look out for that. They perform at the Atlas Theater on H Street. http://www.capitalcitysymphony.org/events
Anonymous
The National Art Gallery and the American Art Gallery usually have free weekend concerts -- we just sit in the back and leave quietly between movements if the concert is too long. My 7 year old likes classical music, but I think that she is in the minority of her friends that go to concerts. If I am paying for tickets, I always ask her in advance and tell her what kind of music/instruments it will be and I won't buy them unless she says she definitely wants to go.
Anonymous
The BSO also does a summer concert series that tends to be a little more casual and the programs are more family-friendly.

I think a seven-year-old can be expected to behave themselves at a classical music concert. I think a seven-year-old can be expected to attend even if they don't want to because it's important to be exposed to things. I don't think anyone can be expect to like going to classical music concerts. Some people do, some people don't.
Anonymous
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.



I don't think that "children should not be subjected to classical music concerts," but I do think that if a particular child is not into them, there's no need to force it. I like classical music, and DS is ok with an occasional concert. I also like baseball, but since DS finds it really boring and tends to be unhappy at games, I don't take him. He can just do something else with DH or his grandparents while I go. If he winds up liking it when he's older, terrific. If not, that's fine too.
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. )


I do expect my DCs to occasionally do something I want to do just because I asked them to, in light of all the many things I do for them that I'm not actually interested in. Obviously it's about 95% me doing for them and 5% them doing for me, but I definitely expect my 5%.
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