“Sit still and be quiet!”
Those are words that parents often speak over their children in performance settings. It’s typical when attending the symphony that all audience members, regardless of age, are expected to dress for the occasion, sit in their seats, and quietly enjoy the performance. Even though Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra understands and encourages the importance of concert etiquette for some performances, they also understand that kids are… kids!
Kids are lively, passionate, and creative – all important qualities of a musician! As a symphony orchestra that advocates for music education, the musicians know that children love music. Inviting children into musical experiences at a young age offers a multitude of benefits and cultivates a lifelong love for the arts. In fact, the annual kid-friendly Christmas concert is designed around this very concept.
Each year, Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra presents the ultimate children’s concert experience in a way that encourages noise, movement, and fun all in a traditional symphony setting. “A Kids’ Christmas” is a sensory-friendly concert that is suitable for children of all ages as well as children and adults with special needs. At this concert, we encourage kids to dance in designated dance zones, clap and cheer during and after the performances, and sing along to popular holiday songs. For our friends with special needs, we provide sensory-friendly signage, a cool-down area for those who struggle with overstimulation, and we also remove sudden sounds and lighting effects.
This concert is also appropriate for elders with dementia or Alzheimer’s. We encourage our audiences to bring the entire family to create holiday memories for a lifetime!
Music should be accessible and enjoyed by everyone and JCSO encourages parents who want to expose their children to the performing arts to seek out concerts and performances that allow kids to be kids. When performances allow clapping, dancing, question-asking, cheering, sensory-friendly options, and more, kids are more inclined to respond positively and feel inspired by the performing arts.
A Kids’ Christmas
3:30 p.m., Saturday, December 14
Mount Pisgah Church, 2850 Old Alabama Road
Tickets $18 - $32
Infants 2 and under are FREE
678.748.5802