On Nov.30 from 5-6 p.m., the Indiana State Percussion Ensemble will be hosting and performing a kid friendly concert at the Landini Center for Performing and Fine Arts on campus.
Dr. Jimmy Finnie, a professor in the School Of Music, is excited for the changes made this year.
“This kid friendly concert came out of the evening concert. We tried to do them together a few times. Last fall we did it together, and it was interesting because I walked in and there were about 45 babies and toddlers,” Finnie said. “A few of the adults left because they knew what was going to happen.”
The percussion ensemble has hosted the concert a few times, but just recently was it changed to become more accessible to parents and their kids. The concert will include classical pieces that can be enjoyed by listeners any age.
There is an interactive element to the concert where kids will be able to play different drums and create music. It gives kids a chance to experience music when they are young, and could ultimately affect the way they understand it. The main goal of the concert is to get kids in the community involved. The dynamic was changed to get as much attendance as possible.
“We did this instrument petting zoo before the concert, and most of the kids cried through the first piece. As one of my students pointed out, ‘you made them stop having fun. They’re three year olds, and now they are mad.’” Finnie said. “So, we moved the instrument petting zoo to the end of the concert for this one, and quite a few of the parents said even though they really enjoyed it, it was too late.”
The time was changed to earlier, because of the parent’s complaint that it was too long and started too late. The faculty and students made an effort to meet the needs of the attendees.
“Music is very important to little kids, and all kids. There is this unfortunate thing where you see music being removed from the schools,” Finnie said. “It’s a fun thing, and I think it provides a service that is not out there for most families.”
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