From The Community Paper

Hands-on exploration during Symphony Storytime.

Our home is full of music. OK, it’s mostly just me singing such hits as “Turn the Heat Around” in reference to our space heater on a particularly chilly morning and “Your Bath” to the tune of Sir Elton John’s “Your Song.” But this is good news: You don’t have to be a musician or Maria von Trapp for your kids to enjoy the many benefits of interacting with music. 

Our community offers plenty of opportunities for kids to hear and participate in live music. Local legend Mr. Richard plays guitar on the first Friday of every month at Infusion Tea in College Park. Every Saturday, the Orlando Public Library has Family Storytime that incorporates music and movement targeted at babies, toddlers and preschoolers. For a more dedicated music class, Grow and Sing Studios in Baldwin Park offers a weekly Kindermusik class that can be taken live or online. 

And this month at The Plaza Live, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra is hosting Symphony Storytime, with a telling of Peter Rabbit with live musical accompaniment. This event also has interactive features following the performance, including an “instrument petting zoo.”  

Make it easy for yourself and get some quality local music into your little ones’ lives this month. Until then, enjoy this gem (with apologies to Sir Elton John):

“And you can tell everybody this is your bath. It may be quite simple, but just do the math. I hope you don’t mind. I hope you don’t mind that you’re my little girl. How wonderful this bath is, ’cause you’re in the world.”

April Events for Young Children

• April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 at 11 a.m.: Family Storytime at Orlando Public Library 
• April 3 and 17 at 10:30 a.m.: Mother Goose on the Loose at Orlando Public Library
• April 7 at 10 a.m.: Mr. Richard at Infusion Tea
• April 29 at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.: Symphony Storytime: Peter Rabbit at The Plaza Live
• April 30 at 11:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.: Symphony Storytime: Peter Rabbit at The Plaza Live