Are you looking to introduce your music-loving children to the joys of music? Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) brings audience members of all ages together to enjoy symphonic concerts with their Young People’s Concert Series, with four different shows in varying styles and subjects over six months. The series is curated by Barrett Principal Education Conductor & Community Ambassador Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, who also conducts the TSO in three out of the four concerts with energetic flair.
The Young People’s Concert Series encourages families to come together to appreciate the power and beauty of music. Through the orchestra’s irresistible excitement, these performances are the perfect opportunity to help children develop a lifelong love of music. Meanwhile, they continue to prove that music appreciation is not only for the elite. In fact, a playful exuberance fills the spellbinding Roy Thomson Hall every show!
TSO Young People’s Concert Series — Event Schedule
“Saint-Georges’ Sword & Bow”
Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 1:30pm & 4:00pm
Performed with actors from the Classical Kids LIVE! music education company, this show tells the story of Joseph Bologne, also known as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges. In a time-bending musical adventure, a young girl named Giselle learns about triumph and tragedy as she discovers her music teacher was the biggest star in 18th-century France.
“Saint-Georges’ Sword & Bow” is a captivating story of passion, dreams, legacy, and hope. The inspirational performance features 15 of Bologne’s compositions, as well as pieces by contemporaries such as Mozart, Haydn, Gluck and Gossec.
“SingSong”
Sunday, February 11, 2024 at 1:30pm & 4:00pm
Relaxed performance February 11, 2024 at 11:00am
Around the world, every culture looks at music and songs in its own unique way. On the other hand, every song can express our feelings and connect us as people. Of course, songs are also a great way to make ourselves heard!
Songs inspire us all, whether it is a hit on Spotify, a well-known folk song, or a classical piece by a famous composer. In this concert, audiences experience the international power of song in different styles, both new and old, and they are also invited to sing some too!
“Dan Brown’s Wild Symphony”
Sunday, March 3, 2024 at 1:30pm & 4:00pm
Parents know Dan Brown as the #1 New York Times best-selling author of the publishing phenomenon “The Da Vinci Code”. However, he has now unleashed a new illustrated children’s book and orchestral music recording titled “Wild Symphony”. Led by TSO RBC Resident Conductor Trevor Wilson, this marks Brown’s first music release since his illustrious writing career began!
“Wild Symphony” lives up to its name, offering a refreshingly wild concert experience for the whole family. The show bounces around the animal kingdom with nearly two dozen movements corresponding to an animal featured in the picture book. Reconnect with the magical experience of music through the energetic rhythms of “Bouncing Kangaroo”, the melodious melodies of “Wondrous Whale”, the lush harmonies of “Brilliant Bat”, and much more.
“Bhangra & Beyond”
Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 1:30pm & 4:00pm
Relaxed performance Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 11:00am
Music has a special way of moving us, be it emotionally or physically. Certainly, musical traditions fuse both music and movement in distinct ways, all across the globe. Influenced by Bhangra, the traditional South Asian folk dance, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra explores the music of Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Indian subcontinent to see how composers create new sounds and exciting pieces.
Relaxed Performances
While the Young People’s Concerts introduce children to the orchestra experience in a kid-friendly environment, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra also offers Relaxed Performances for “SingSong” and “Bhangra & Beyond”. These shows are intended to support the neurodiverse and disabled community. This flexible environment also applies to anyone wishing for a more casual concert experience, which is especially helpful for parents worried their kids will have trouble sitting still.
During the show, all audience members can move around, express themselves vocally or even leave the concert hall anytime. Also available to patrons are venue guides that fully detail the concert experience to help reduce anxiety, as well as a quiet room with comfortable seating, stress-relieving fidgets, and relaxing activities. Furthermore, sound-dampening headphones can be signed out before the concert and returned afterward.
Toronto Symphony Orchestra: Young People’s Concert Series
When: November 19, 2023 — April 14, 2024
Time: 1:30pm & 4:00pm, Relaxed performances at 11:00am
Where: Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto
Website: www.tso.ca
Take a seat at our list of Concerts & Shows in Toronto here!
