Watching plays/performances
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That's really a great and rewarding effort on your part, mummy of 2! I guess you must be an arty person yourself, no?
I have never truly learnt to like plays, even though I can appreciate them (literature grad). I'm much more of a music person. But thanks for your recommendations.
I realize that since your kid is below 6 (right?), eligibility is a problem. In that case, for both plays and concerts, you can also pay attention to what the various art schools are doing. For example, NUS, Republic Polytechnic, LaSalle School of the Arts, NAFA, etc. - they hold performances of both types very often. While the timing can be often inconvenient (eg. Mon 6pm), the prices are usually very affordable and seats easily available. Republic Poly happens to have a hall that is reputedly superior to the Esplanade's, so I heard. NAFA has a pretty active drama and music scene, and LaSalle regularly performs high quality lesser-known musicals in their own premises.
Eg. http://www.nafa.edu.sg/in_happenings/events/2009/October.htm
For classical music, I've never been to the children's proms. I shouldn't really make a judgment, but I think that there are many other performances parents can brng their kids too. Eg. the free ones at Esplande concourse, which are more bite-size. For those in the west, pay attention to the schedules of NUS/Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, for example.
There is no need to hanker after this particular SSO series, and grumble when it's sold out. There really are a lot of possibilities.
Classical music is still very much (in fact I think even more today) perceived as an elitist thing in Sg, which I strongly object to. The fact that the kids' proms are often sold out before released to public sales enforces this perception. Because of this, I have lost my taste for it, honestly speaking.
Anyway, I decided to bring my DD (7) to an adult concert earlier this year. The factors to consider are:
1) Pieces played. Obviously, the \"easier\" to listen, the better. But I do not like to underestimate kids - they don't care whether the composer is famous or not. Whether it's Mozart or Martinu, so long as it \"hits\" them in the right spot, it'll work. There are tens of thousands of pieces of lesser known works which ought to appeal. The concert should appeal to you too. The concert I brought DD to featured Beethoven's Emperor piano concerto and Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony. Both melodious and spectacular works. It was a perfect combination. She loved it.
If you are unsure of the pieces - well, today, and only in our times, can you leverage youtube to test your child's reaction for free.
2) Pick a right spot. In the case of the Esplanade concert hall, I always aim for the balcony seats. Expensive, but worth it, when you're with a kid.
3) Bring along a pen and notebook. Don't expect your child to remain quiet. (In fact I would be rather worried if she does!) Bring along a notebook and pen, and let her write down her thoughts about the music as it is being played. You can thus conduct a silent conversation throughout. The Esplanade balcony seats make this even easier as the seats (in fact movable chairs!) are up against a thick wall, just nice for a notebook.
I hope this helps! -
Eh 3pm clash with nap time leh, so i guess it's out for DD2. Only DS1 can go. Can I find the info on Esplanade Beautiful Sunday on the Esplanade website? How do you get to know about the National Youth Orchestra and school concerts? Will be keen to attend those.
[quote]You can always look out for Esplanade Beautiful Sunday concerts which is at a child-friendly time of 3pm. You should have no problem bringing your toddler in for these types of free concerts. At very most, if the poor kid starts getting restless and you're unable to hold his interest anymore, just take him/her out - it's free afterall!
I also look out for very cheap concerts (eg. S$10 or S$5), like those by National youth orchestra and maybe school concerts or such, and I'd be prepared to leave at intermission so that we don't leave that late(usually with intermission, concerts end past 930pm or even 10pm, so leaving at intermission, it'd only be like 8.30pm.[/quote] -
Thanks, I just thought it would be useful for those interested in brining their kids to such plays but have no idea which ones are good.
I'm not actually musically inclined tho I do like enjoy plays and musicals. I guess that's why I'm not aware of the performances you mentioned. You are right - my kids are less than 6 yrs old. DS1 is almost 4, and DD2 is 2. I have not brought DD2 to the plays I listed above, as she is quite shy and may cry, so I prefer not to take the risk.
Thanks for all the leads on concerts. Will check them out.sashimi:
That's really a great and rewarding effort on your part, mummy of 2! I guess you must be an arty person yourself, no?
I have never truly learnt to like plays, even though I can appreciate them (literature grad). I'm much more of a music person. But thanks for your recommendations.
I realize that since your kid is below 6 (right?), eligibility is a problem. In that case, for both plays and concerts, you can also pay attention to what the various art schools are doing. For example, NUS, Republic Polytechnic, LaSalle School of the Arts, NAFA, etc. - they hold performances of both types very often. While the timing can be often inconvenient (eg. Mon 6pm), the prices are usually very affordable and seats easily available. Republic Poly happens to have a hall that is reputedly superior to the Esplanade's, so I heard. NAFA has a pretty active drama and music scene, and LaSalle regularly performs high quality lesser-known musicals in their own premises.
Eg. http://www.nafa.edu.sg/in_happenings/events/2009/October.htm
For classical music, I've never been to the children's proms. I shouldn't really make a judgment, but I think that there are many other performances parents can brng their kids too. Eg. the free ones at Esplande concourse, which are more bite-size. For those in the west, pay attention to the schedules of NUS/Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, for example.
There is no need to hanker after this particular SSO series, and grumble when it's sold out. There really are a lot of possibilities.
Classical music is still very much (in fact I think even more today) perceived as an elitist thing in Sg, which I strongly object to. The fact that the kids' proms are often sold out before released to public sales enforces this perception. Because of this, I have lost my taste for it, honestly speaking.
Anyway, I decided to bring my DD (7) to an adult concert earlier this year. The factors to consider are:
1) Pieces played. Obviously, the \"easier\" to listen, the better. But I do not like to underestimate kids - they don't care whether the composer is famous or not. Whether it's Mozart or Martinu, so long as it \"hits\" them in the right spot, it'll work. There are tens of thousands of pieces of lesser known works which ought to appeal. The concert should appeal to you too. The concert I brought DD to featured Beethoven's Emperor piano concerto and Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony. Both melodious and spectacular works. It was a perfect combination. She loved it.
If you are unsure of the pieces - well, today, and only in our times, can you leverage youtube to test your child's reaction for free.
2) Pick a right spot. In the case of the Esplanade concert hall, I always aim for the balcony seats. Expensive, but worth it, when you're with a kid.
3) Bring along a pen and notebook. Don't expect your child to remain quiet. (In fact I would be rather worried if she does!) Bring along a notebook and pen, and let her write down her thoughts about the music as it is being played. You can thus conduct a silent conversation throughout. The Esplanade balcony seats make this even easier as the seats (in fact movable chairs!) are up against a thick wall, just nice for a notebook.
I hope this helps! -
mummy of 2:
Eh 3pm clash with nap time leh, so i guess it's out for DD2. Only DS1 can go. Can I find the info on Esplanade Beautiful Sunday on the Esplanade website? How do you get to know about the National Youth Orchestra and school concerts? Will be keen to attend those.]
That 3pm timing was fine with my 5yo. And I've seen people bring their babies or toddlers in for beautiful sunday concerts as well.
SNYO - check their website or simply Sistic.com.sg -
sashimi:
Babies' Proms - it's really really for the \"babies\". It's not suitable for those above 7yrs. My kids at that age hated the babies' proms but were fine with SSO children concerts. Their complaint (since they play musical instruments) is that the Babies' Proms are way tooooooooo noisy for them to enjoy. I'm going to bring my \"baby\" to go join in the noise this year though.
For classical music, I've never been to the children's proms. I shouldn't really make a judgment, but I think that there are many other performances parents can brng their kids too. Eg. the free ones at Esplande concourse, which are more bite-size. For those in the west, pay attention to the schedules of NUS/Yong Siew Toh Conservatory, for example.
!
As for the Yong Siew Toh concerts, must warn you that they are not exactly suitable for the very young. Even tho' it's free, they frown on any noise, so it might be rather stressful if you go with a restless child. -
Actually I meant performances by the students elsewhere, eg. in open spaces. Rather than the serious ones in the concert hall. But I get what you mean.
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sashimi:
Actually I meant performances by the students elsewhere, eg. in open spaces. Rather than the serious ones in the concert hall. But I get what you mean.
Open space is fine, except, maybe sometimes you also want to initiate the child to actal indoor concerts in concert halls - the effect is so different.
Free SSO concerts on campus, eg. at NUS or NTU or polytechnics..young children are quite alright at those. They usually last no more than 1 hour. These and those types like beautiful sunday at esplanade are quite fine. Quite child-friendly.
But those compared with YST student concerts - hehe ... more serious bc they are grooming future performers, I guess. Once, I brought my 9 year old and he's quite ok, but there was a mother who brought her younger kids - i think she has a really stressful time! Bc the \"staff\" kept telling her to keep her kids under control.
Recently, I brought my boy (now 12) to a free concert at YST, but by Chamber Players, not YST students. It was quite ok, esp for those of us sitting upstairs. AIyoh, I saw families bring their children who were playing nintendo ds (roll eyes). And then some older folk took out their water bottles (which were in plastic bags) to drink - hear ... \"crinkle, crinkle\" during the concert. But no staff in the upstair area.
Can also watch out for performances at the Esplanade concourse. Usually no longer than half hour. There are sometimes children performances as well. -
Hi
Playtime is selling tickets for the show" Farmer, Fox, Bird and Cookie"
Where can i purchase the tickets? i dont see it in sistic website -
It all comes down to whether the child is interested in such performance. My girl, likes to go to musical, and was able to sit through the whole performance of Phantom of the Opera when she was five. But I doubt she would have been so "obedient" if it was an orchestra performance.
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Good qn, i'm trying to find out too
:?sunset_dae:
Hi
Playtime is selling tickets for the show\" Farmer, Fox, Bird and Cookie\"
Where can i purchase the tickets? i dont see it in sistic website
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