Noteworthy

My 13-year-old son loves two types of music: alternative rock from the ‘90s (The Offspring in particular) and classical. While the latter may surprise those who don’t know him, it makes perfect sense to us—he’s been attending orchestral performances since he was a small child, just like I did growing up. First, there was a holiday concert when he was no more than five years old and later, a John Williams program that highlighted original music from Star Wars and Jurassic Park. Earlier this year, he asked if we would take him to Tchaikovsky, and we did. (He loves The Nutcracker Suite, which he probably first heard while watching the movie Elf.) I hope to get him to a Lord of the Rings–themed performance soon—he loves the books and movies—and he’s eager to hear Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony live this fall.

My grandparents made a point to take us to the symphony, opera and ballet as often as they could, and I still remember hearing Mozart’s Magic Flute performed by an orchestra when I was in elementary school. Now, my own child loves the TSO and regularly attends performances (my husband and I are subscribers with Thursday evening tickets that overlook stage right). It’s a full circle thing in our house, but it’s never too late to start—if you’re thinking about taking your kids for the first time, here’s what you need to know.

Choose a performance that fits your needs

Taking a small child to the symphony for the first time can feel ambitious, but there are ways to introduce your kids to the TSO in a low-stress, age-appropriate manner. Consider starting with Young People’s Concerts, which are family-friendly and more relaxed than a standard show. Designed with children aged 5-12 in mind, Young People’s concerts are shorter than a typical performance (about an hour, usually) and include on-stage storytelling elements. There’s an instrument discovery area to explore before the show, allowing your little ones to get hands-on with the music. I didn’t know about these performances when my kids were little, but I wish I had!

If your family includes disabled or neurodivergent individuals (or you anticipate a lot of sound and movement from your kids), you can also check out a Relaxed Performance. These shows offer special resources including quiet areas and sound-dampening headphones, and it’s ok to move your body as needed during the performance.

Tips and tricks for first-timers

If you go to a standard performance, it’s all about setting expectations and preparing your child for the experience. With my kids, we picked afternoon shows rather than evening performances that started too close to bedtime. We didn’t make them dress up (choose your battles!), but we did give them lots of information beforehand: the music will be loud (but not too loud), and you will have to stay in your seat. You can clap and cheer when the audience is applauding, but otherwise, you have to sit quietly. There will be a break partway through the show when you can stretch your legs, use the washroom or have a snack. 

I also explained how sound carries, emphatically telling my kids that any talking or moving around would be distracting for the performers. Finally, I modelled good behaviour myself, resisting the urge to point things out or whisper information to my kids during the performance. 

Another tip: when my kids were little, I looked for seats that were near an exit in case of ‘emergency’ (an urgent washroom request, probably). I also tried to place us where they could watch the orchestra from above, which held their attention better than staring at the back of someone’s head (the reality for many child-sized audience members at floor level). It may also help to play a bit of classical music for your kids before the show, making the performance somewhat familiar. That said, children don’t have to know the program to enjoy it—discovering classical music is a joy and a thrill. Imagine being able to hear Vivaldi for the first time ever while watching dozens of performers giving their all on stage! Live music is exciting, beautiful and truly special for kids, especially when they’re sharing the experience with you.

Experience the arts as a family

Music is for everyone, and for all ages and abilities—plus, it’s a great way to spend time together as a family. You don’t need to be a classical music expert to guide your kids through their first orchestral performance, and it doesn’t need to be perfect—just do your best and enjoy the experience. Whether your kids have shown an interest in classical music or you want to introduce them to something new, visiting the TSO is an engaging, enriching activity that every family should try at least once. (I’m willing to bet it will be more than once.) 

Erin Pepler is a freelance writer and the author of Send Me Into The Woods Alone: Essays on Motherhood. A TSO subscriber who grew up attending performances with her grandparents, Erin’s work has appeared in Toronto Life, Chatelaine, Maclean’s, Today’s Parent, Broadview Magazine and many other publications.