Symphony Celebration

The Atlanta Symphony held a musical open house for all ages on Saturday, October 8. Gabi and Mama took MARTA to get downtown for the event. It was cold outside, so Gabi wore her footed outfit with a warm hat. Papa got off work just in time to join us for the Symphony Celebration. First, we listened to some books about music, played with a balloon, and watched the bigger kids make their own instruments.

At the MARTA station waiting for a train.

We made Gabi an instrument, but she thought it was for eating.

Kindermusik
We attended a Kindermusik demonstration class -- it was neat to show Papa what we do on Thursday mornings. Even though this particular class was geared for children 18 months to 3 years, Gabi had fun. For one song, the children acted out various animals which matched the sounds and musical styles they heard. Gabriella loved it! She laughed and smiled while swinging like a monkey, jumping like a kangaroo, creeping like a cat, and so forth. Another song used egg shakers to tell a story while also conditioning the children's ears with some music theory; for instance, when the story required the children to move the egg shaker up in little increments like steps, the music went up the notes of a scale in staccato. Gabi wasn't quite big enough to do that, but she did figure out that the egg shaker would make noise if she shook it. And, of course, she loved to bang on the drum!

Rhythm sticks sure are interesting.

Gabriella loved swinging like a monkey!

Hey, this egg shaker makes noise!

Gabi exploring the sounds of the big drum.

Woodwind Way
We also had a chance to "try out" the woodwind instruments and percussion instruments. After that, Gabi was too tired to investigate the brass or to listen to a concert, so we went home for a nap.

Gabi "playing" the recorder.

We had to get a picture with the oboe!