UA Music Partners with Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra for 'Classical Kids Club'

The Department of Music and the UARK Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for Music Education have started a collaboration with the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra. The Classical Kids Club invites young concertgoers between the ages of 5 and 12 to come and experience a fun learning environment during Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra concerts.

According to Jason Miller, executive director of the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, "Sometimes it's hard for young concertgoers to sit through an entire concert. This opportunity has allowed children attending our concerts the chance to be a kid while still learning about classical music that is being performed in the concert hall."

Members of the University of Arkansas' Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for Music Education serve as APO teaching artists. They plan and enact music lessons centering around each concert's theme. The first Kids Club during the APO's Halloween Fantasia was a huge success with children participating in a variety of activities from traditional folk dancing, singing songs, and watching portions of the concert from the wings of the stage. Children were able to watch and hear the orchestra performance from a unique vantage point that many don't get to experience.

Daniel Abrahams, assistant professor of music education and coordinator of the Classical Kids Club, said, "We are very proud of our relationship with the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra. Through this partnership, our music education students are able to connect theory to practice by experiencing many of the classroom situations that they may have only discussed or read in class. For many of our music education students, this is quite an eye-opening experience."

The final Classical Kids Club of the season will be on Saturday, April 27, during the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra's concert "Literary Inspirations" at Bentonville West High School's Performing Arts Center. For more information about the Classical Kids Club visit www.arphil.org.