A Mini Maestro concert is a wonderful chance to take kids to a stunningly good music production where they are able to experience (and learn from!) a live performance. Laura Loveridge took her three children (aged 3, 2 and 6 months) and shares her experience!
My kids love music, so when I was invited to attend the Willoughby Symphony’s Mini Maestros Musical Opposites concert in Chatswood during the summer holidays, I jumped at the chance. Having played in an orchestra when I was younger and after introducing the kids to my old violin over the Christmas holidays, I thought it would be a great way to experience to orchestral music and it didn’t disappoint.

Mini Maestros Conductor
The Venue

The Civic Pavilion at The Concourse

Dancing to the Music
The Concert
The audience was made up of children from 0-12 years, including families and large groups. Initially I did have my doubts about how they would keep the children entertained for the entire length of the concert, but I was pleasantly surprised!
The conductor came out right on time and was lively and upbeat from the start. He introduced each component of the orchestra and then went into the musical opposites as the concert was named. The instruments were played to make high and low sounds, fast and slow notes as well as soft and loud sounds, all with active audience participation. The kids were made to think of different actions to represent the different articulations and some volunteers were brought up to the front of the stage to demonstrate as well as have a go at conducting the orchestra! Various classical pieces of music were played and the concert lasted for approximately an hour with no interval. There was also some singing and for the last 10-15 minutes, the entire audience were invited to stand in and around the orchestra to get up close and personal with all the instruments whilst they were played! My kids absolutely loved this and it was definitely a fantastic way to finish the show.
When they had finished playing, the children were allowed to touch the instruments used in the Mini Maestro concert and ask the very friendly musicians any questions they had.

Children were Invited to Conduct the Orchestra

Up Close with the Orchestra

Watching the Wind Component

These drums are noisy!
Overall
The concert is advertised as being “informal and interactive” which was most certainly the case. The venue was great and very easily accessible and the staff were very friendly and helpful. You can enter the venue half an hour before the show starts so if you want to get front row seats I would recommend this as it was free seating. However, no matter where you sat, you still had a great view of the orchestra.
All my kids enjoyed the concert. My 2 year old was a little to young to grasp the concepts, but she loved dancing to the music and interacting with the orchestra at the end. My baby slept for most of it so was clearly very good white noise! If you or your kids have a love for music, in particular classical and orchestral music, or you just fancy doing something different with the kids, then Mini Maestros is a great introduction and exposure to orchestral and classical music.

Watching the Viola

Learning the Trombone
Upcoming Concert: Crowns & Tiaras
Keen to introduce your child to the orchestra? Mini Maestros will be returning to The Concourse in July for a ‘Crowns & Tiaras’ show, and tickets are on sale now!
- Where: The Concourse, 409 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood
- When: 2pm, Saturday 27 July
- Tickets: $26 (0-12 months free)
Other details
- Parking: There are lots of nearby parking options – The Concourse (1 hour free) or Westfield or Chatswood Chase.
- Pram Friendly: Yes
- Refreshments: Lots of restaurants at The Concourse, or many other dining options around Chatswood