And The Band Played On

Quite by chance, Noey and I were able to attend SSO’s Babies’ Proms this year.

I’d heard of this really popular programme by the SSO from my colleagues who had been trying to get tickets. But when the tickets went on sale back in Sept, they sold out really quickly and none of us were able to get hold any tickets.

I had clean forgotten about it till I was surfing the web on Tuesday night, the day before Hari Raya Haji and chanced upon the fact that Babies’ Proms was going to be happening the next day and on Thursday. And even more amazingly, tickets (though limited) were available! I still have no idea why tickets were available at that late stage — perhaps some who had pre-booked tickets gave them up? Anyway, given the rare stroke of luck and the fact that I had a free day on Thursday, I decided it was an opportunity not to be missed and scooped up a pair of tickets for Noey and I.

I’m glad we went because I really enjoyed it, even if Noey was a bit unsure about it all. Haha. It was really a very well put together programme that was made as relevant to kids as possible. They introduced the different sections of the orchestra and the different instruments that made up each section, and had the audience listen to the different sections play the same piece of music. Throughout the concert, the orchestra to played snippets of different easily recognisable pieces and got the kids to sway, stamp and clap along. They told a story and used music to enhance the story-telling action. There was also a popular section where they got some kids up to conduct the orchestra, which obligingly played to the tempo of the conductor’s conducting. That drew a lot of laughs!

I wasn’t sure how Noey would take to the concert. He is fine with classical music — Symphony FM92.4 is one of the few radio stations he doesn’t really object to, though his first preference by far remains his own Kindermusik/Sunday School Song/Kid’s Songs CDs. But this boy of mine doesn’t like crowds and gets scared when dramatic music is played. Plus he’s not a big fan of following along with actions to songs.

As expected he wore his serious/worried look throughout the concert and when they played “exciting” music, he hopped on my lap and clung to me. Then again, he had just recovered from a fever and was not 100% so that probably contributed to it as well. (He would come down with a dippy nose and bad throat the next day but I didn’t know it at that time.)

But I think the experience did sink in. Later when asked to recount his day to his Papa, he was able to tell DD that there were “many people playing instruments” and name a few. It seems the percussion made the most impression on him. He even obligingly made the sound of the cymbals when asked. And when asked about the music, he was able to say that the orchestra played “christmas songs” because the orchestra had ended off with Sleigh Ride by Johnny Mathis. He gave us an insight into what he was thinking though when he told us that “the music was too loud.” Hah.

I’d love to go again next year and in the meantime, bring him for more concerts, maybe some casual ones and some in the park. Hopefully he’ll warm up to the idea eventually!