Playing classical music to young children can provide them with all sorts of amazing benefits, such as improved listening skills, boosted concentration levels and relaxation. (Sounds good to me.) But a classical music concert might not be the first place you would think to take a toddler – all that sitting still and keeping quiet is asking a bit much, don’t you think?
So inspired by the wonders of classical music, as well as recognising an opportunity to share it in a child-centred atmosphere, two mums formed classicalkids.ie after realising they had nowhere suitable to take their own young children.
As professional musicians, Sylvia Roberts and Aura Stone felt a relaxed and informal approach to sharing live chamber music was missing. They believe that interacting in a natural way – whether that’s dancing, making a noise, or playing – is key to absorbing all that the world of classical music has to offer. Their concerts take place in a child-centred atmosphere, with play-mats, colouring, toys and music worksheets all being used to facilitate this musical journey. For the adults, there is the opportunity to sit back and enjoy live music, in an informal and accessible community-based setting.
Their new series of Music for Babies concerts are aimed at 0-3 year olds, taking place in Monkstown on the second Wednesday of each month until June: March 11th, April 8th, May 13th, June 10th. There’s no need to worry about sitting still and keeping quiet; you might be relieved to hear that musical appreciation in all its forms – making a noise, singing along, staring in disbelief, dribbling and dancing – is encouraged. The nosier the better, in fact.
