APO for Kids Concert

Ashton and I were able to attend the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra for Kids Concert today and listen to all of the different instruments in action! Each child received little white straw when they arrived that was to be used as their baton and were encouraged to help conduct the orchestra throughout the show. They played lots of well known children's songs as well, as some fun classical pieces. The introduced all of the different sections of the Orchestra and got the children up dancing and singing along throughout the show! It was lots of fun and although Ashton was rather tired by the end of it, I think he rather enjoyed himself!

At the end of the show we got to walk through the orchestra and see all of the instruments being played up close! Very cool!

Everyone with the crazy composer!

A MORNING WITH THE ORCHESTRA

Ashton and I along with Mr Bop, Dez, Dionne and their kid, were able to go and see the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra playing at the Bruce Mason Theatre on the weekend, for their special children's "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" show. I am so glad we were able to attend as all of us thoroughly enjoyed it!

Ashton was captivated and watching the stage intently most of the time. He was jumping around and responding as the music changed tempo and rhythm. All of us were encouraged to help conduct the orchestra (the children were even given little straws as baton's.) The conductor showed us some basic movements that we could do to conduct and all of our children loved being involved in this way.

I loved seeing how the orchestra brought children's songs to life and engaged the children's imaginations as they gave them a little story to go along with each piece they played.

At the end of the show the families were invited to walk through the orchestra as they played and Ashton was looking from left to right at each of the instruments in action around him. It

inspired me to want to come home and explore instruments and different genre's of music with him so that he can continue to develop and appreciation for all types of music and in time use music as a medium for expressing himself and for extending his imagination!

This week I'm going to have a music focus with Ashton! We will let you know what musical adventures we find out ourselves on soon! For more information about the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and when they are performing go tohttp://apo.co.nz/home.aspx