Tips for Kids & Concerts and the Reno Philharmonic's Family Events

Last week we thoroughly enjoyed a trip up to Reno to attend the Reno Philharmonic's presentation of Gershwin's Magic Key. Not only was the concert itself free, but they had quite a few fun crafts and activities for the kids to do before the show. They also sent each kid home with a complimentary toy xylophone (which made for a *delightful* drive back down to Carson City).

Today I'll be sharing some tips for taking your kids to a more formal concert, as well as sharing information about what is involved in one of the Reno Phil's Family Events. 

I do not claim to be an expert, but having attended two different orchestra concerts in the last couple of weeks I thought I'd share what we've learned. If you want a more seasoned perspective than check out my interview with the President of the Reno Pops here. 

DO:

-Prepare your kids before you go. If this is their first concert, take some time to discuss how to behave, and possibly show them some of the music they will be hearing or some of the instruments they might see. The Reno Phil's website has a great section all about the different types of instruments, complete with sound clips of each one so you can learn more about them before you go. This website is also an excellent resource for preparing your kids for a classical concert. 

-Get there early. In most cases it's a good idea to be in your seats in the concert hall 15-20 minutes before the show starts. This means you've already visited the drinking fountain and bathroom if needed and you're ready to stay put. You can use this time to talk to your kids about what's happening, remind them of behavioral expectations, and just enjoy the excitement that builds as the musicians warm up and the audience gathers. 

-Sit wherever is best for you, and be aware of your nearest exit. Kids have to go to the bathroom. They get tired of sitting and just have to move. Everyone knows these things, so make it easier on yourself and try to sit next to the aisle near an exit. We found that sitting up in balcony provides the best view of everything happening on stage. We also liked that it felt like any shenanigans the kids pulled off weren't quite so visible to the whole hall. We did not like how tightly packed the seats were up there though. It was nearly impossible to prevent wiggly kids from accidentally bumping the seats in front of us because they were so close, and they are stacked so steeply that it would be WAY too easy for a kid to kick the person in front of them right in the back of the head.
-Take advantage of the intermission. Take a bathroom break. Run out some of those wiggles. Visit the drinking fountain. 

-Applaud enthusiastically. If you enjoyed a piece than let the orchestra know. As soon as the conductor puts his/her arms down you can clap as loudly as you want, and even stand if it seems appropriate. Please do NOT whistle or yell though. 

DON'T:

-Let your kids run around the concert hall. Even at a "family" show, if you're in the concert hall while music is playing than you need to be seated. If a child will not sit still then it's better to take them out into the hallway or outside for a few minutes until they are able to sit again. If/when you re-enter the concert try to do so at a natural break in the music. Preferably between songs. Some venues (the Pioneer Center is included here) give you the means to enjoy the show from the lobby via speakers and/or television. 

-Bring any kind of recording device or attempt to use your cell phone. Depending on the venue any bags you bring in may be subject to search before you are allowed to enter. They do not permit cameras, food/drink, weapons, etc into the Pioneer Center, and other venues are likely to have similar restrictions. 

Okay, that's enough of me bossing you around. Now it's time for a little more information about the Reno Phil's Family Events. These concerts are free, and are often (perhaps always, though I'm not positive) kicked off with an hour or two of some neat crafts and activities for the kids. To see an example of what one of these events is like, check out this video. This time around the activities were all located down in the lower level of the Pioneer Center in the Exhibition Hall. 

 There were several different organizations providing the activities this time, including the Discovery Museum and the Nevada Museum of Art. Activities ranged from folding a paper smart phone amplifier, to embossing on sheets of metal, and so much more!  

 I do have to say that if you want to get your kids involved in the activities you need to plan on being there early, and be prepared to fight a crowd. That exhibit hall was PACKED! We only did two or three of the available activities because there were just way too many people in there. I was not impressed with the organization of this event. There were too few people on hand to help the kids do the activities and too much crammed into a small space. The corridors at Pioneer are wide enough that they could have moved some of the craft centers out into the hall to create a better flow and reduce the massive bottle neck that occurred. 

 If you want to go see the Reno Phil in person, they have their annual Christmas Concert coming up. It's not free, but it looks like it will be a really neat show. For more info on that you can click here. The Phil does not currently have any free concerts advertised on their site, but you never know when one will pop up. Check their schedule here.  If you want a FREE Christmas Orchestra experience, check out my last post about the Reno Pops.