The concert started with the conductor inviting all the children to leave their seats to sit right in front of the stage. The conductor then introduced the various instruments in the orchestra and the sounds they made. He followed on by getting the orchestra to play a few classical pieces that brought out the sounds of the various instruments. And he tried to engage the children by asking them to raise their hands whenever they hear certain instruments being played. Towards the end of the concert, the children were invited up onto the stage to have a closer look at the instruments and to mingle with the orchestra. The concert ended with the orchestra playing a final piece with all the children on stage with them. All in all, the concert duration lasted an hour.
According to ND, Sarah seemed a little too young to understand and fully enjoy the concert. She just sat and observed. Caleb being older, had more fun and enjoyed himself. He got to see and was more aware of listening out to the various instruments. However, ND doesn't think that Caleb got a clear idea of how a concert is typically like through this experience, coz the whole atmosphere was like a marketplace. The children were all walking up and down the aisle during the concert and some were talking loudly. I'm not surprised given that at least half of the audience are 6 and below. ND thinks that if we really want to introduce the children to concerts and classical music, they'll probably get more out of it by going for a real concert and probably at a slightly older age where they can sit still and appreciate the music.
As of now, I guess the concert was a nice activity for ND to spend some quality time with the two older kids.
Victoria Concert Hall before the start of the concert
Tons of kids and parents
Caleb on stage with the other children
The kiddos on the way home after the concert
