Classics for Kids

The Howland Chamber Music Circle and the Howland Cultural Center
co-present performances for children throughout the season.
These include our popular Instrument Petting Zoo and performances by leading artists.

All concerts take place at the Howland Cultural Center unless otherwise noted.
Times vary and are listed with each event.

These concerts are funded, in part, by:

The Ann and Abe Effron Donor Advised Fund of the 
Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley

and

The Hudson Valley Credit Union

Hudson Valley Credit Union

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, May 29, 2023 (Rain Date 6/3)
3:00—4:00 PM
Pete & Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, Beacon, NY

The First Movement

Join us as the Beacon String Quartet joins forces with former dancers of the Mark Morris Dance Group, Aaron Loux and Laurel Lynch, to help children and families move to music. Compass Arts dance teacher (and former Mark Morris dancer), Chelsea Acree will lead the festivities, teaching simple choreography and free improvisational dancing.

Dance in response to what you hear!

This family event is presented by the Howland Chamber Music Circle and the Howland Cultural Center.

Everyone is FREE

PAST EVENTS

Sunday, April 30, 2023
1:00—2:00 PM

WindSync performs “Interstellar Cinderella”

$15/adults, children FREE

PROGRAM

Meet the five wind instruments of the orchestra when WindSync brings to life Deborah Underwood’s “Interstellar Cinderella” (published by Chronicle Books).

This family event is presented by the Howland Chamber Music Circle, and the Howland Cultural Center.

Program subject to change.

Frederic Chiu

Sunday, January 15, 2023
1:00—2:00 PM

“Heart and Soul: Debussy vs. Prokofiev,” with pianist Frederic Chiu

$15/adults, children FREE

PROGRAM

Frederic Chiu will present his Classical Smackdown, “Heart and Soul: Debussy vs. Prokofiev”

Frederic Chiu’s Classical Smackdown program is a series of interactive classical piano programs that encourages discussion and participation of the audience. Each program presents the works of two composers in multiple “Rounds” where musical selections and stage commentary highlight a particular contrast or comparison between the two.

Audience members are given a detached ballot in the program, which they fill out and deposit upon exiting the concert. Each Round ends with audience members voting for their favorite composer in that Round. In addition, at the end of the concert, each audience member also votes for their favorite composer across the entire program. Through the simple act of voting, audiences listen and engage in a more personal way that creates a new live concert experience. The ballot is secret, but hearty discussions often keep audiences in their seats well after the end of the applause!

The results of the voting are announced within 24 hours following the event. Complete results for all Classical Smackdown concerts, including breakdowns by various demographics and audience comments, are made available on the website classicalsmackdown.com.

This family event is presented by the Howland Chamber Music Circle, and the Howland Cultural Center.