This weekend, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra's beloved Young People's Concert returns after a hiatus last season. The absense of the annual tradition was noticed by both musicians and audience members alike, and the CSO was quick to reinstate the Young People's Concert back into their lineup for the 2024-2025 season.
The Young People's Concert is designed specifically for children, and is a concert Maestro George Del Gobbo looks forward to programming every year. Saturday's concert contains music by John Williams from Superman and Star Wars, which will be accessible and familiar to most children. However, Del Gobbo said he's also programmed a piece most likely unknown to young people that explores a composer's creative process in an entertaining and educational manner.
"Mr. Smith's Composition is a musical journey which features a narrator (Mr. Smith) who explains and reveals all of the various trials and choices that any composer faces on the way to writing a piece of music," said Del Gobbo. "He does this in a manner relatable to every non-musician, but especially aimed at children.  As it turns out, he forgets to write an ending to his piece and enlists the audience's help in choosing one that is suitable." (Shhh! That part is a surprise! Don't tell your kids!)
CSO's Executive Director, Kern Wadkins, shared how eager she is to share the Young People's Concert with the Symphony's youngest patrons. "I was lucky enough to be with my then seven year old son at the last Young People’s Concert as an audience member, with no inkling that I would ever have the opportunity to work with the CSO," said Wadkins. "Getting to experience my son’s response to the concert was incredible. He was so engaged, loved that the conductor spoke to them from the stage, and came away feeling inspired to listen to a new form of music. Now that I work here, he comes with me to almost all of the concerts, even though his favorite style of music at home is hip hop. He loves live classical music, and I don’t think he would have felt comfortable in our hall or felt welcomed to listen to orchestral music without the Young People’s Concert. It is an essential stepping stone to help our youngest patrons feel like this music is for them and that they belong here with us, too."
Del Gobbo believes in the power of exposing children to the arts from a young age, and the importance of engaging with these experiences together as a family. "As parents, the most important thing we can do for our children is to educate them, and in so doing, expose them to every part of the human experience," explained Del Gobbo. "This includes practical areas like reading, writing, and other common school subjects. Â But an education is not complete without some exposure to and exploration of the human spirit, into those parts of our collective and individual psyche that make us unique. Â The arts, music included, can play a major role in this pursuit. Â They help to provide the core of understanding and compassion that serves to make us complete."
If You Go
What:Â CSO's Young People's Concert
When: February 22 at 12:30PM
Where: RiverCenter for the Performing Arts