Elle Belle Conducts the Orchestra at Carnegie Hall’s Family Day

The first ever Carnegie Hall Family Day was music to my ears. This special day was a celebration of Family and the new Judith and Burton Resnick Education Wing at Carnegie Hall. The free family day featured interactive musical activities and is sure to become a family favorite around the city. From concerts to instructive seminars and from interactive sessions to hands-on activities, this little Mozart in training loved the fun-filled, educational day!

The whole family was invited to compose songs together, design our own musical instruments, explore a “sound playground,” and more. We started off our day with an off-the-charts rocking concert by Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem. Once the music started, we were calling and answering and singing up a storm. We danced and sang and learned about the songs and instruments. All the big and little kids were singing, clapping, and dancing the day away. And everyone went wild over the fan favorite “Purple People Eater!”

This tiny toddler had a blast marveling in all the musical moments. I started at the musical photo booth, playing dress up with blow-up instruments, real instruments and other fun props. The next stop was the sound playground where I played all sorts of interesting instruments. And I was a natural at them all…especially the larger than life wooden xylophone that had guitar strings attached to all sorts of unique music makers from rulers to wooden spoons. There was also a fun sing-along with three wonderful women leading us in song and dance with plenty of opportunity for everyone to belt out tunes (and test their vibrato). After that, we even composed our own song with the help of musicians to write and create rhythms to match my mood.

My favorite moment of the day (and the highlight for my family) was that I had the opportunity to conduct for the first time while at Carnegie Hall. This mini musical prodigy led an orchestra by conducting them all by myself. I essentially entered the hall, walked onto the podium, held up my baton and controlled a group of professional musicians with my fantastic maestro skills. I told them when to start and stop, set the tempo dramatically, and kept the musicians on their toes with every move of my baton. At the end of the piece there was roaring applause. I basked in the moment and decided I want to be a little maestro for sure when I grow up.

I cannot wait to get back to Carnegie Hall for more concerts and other family fun soon. Bravo…encore, please!

Upcoming Programming in Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing

Throughout the 2014-2015 season, audiences will be invited to enjoy programming in the Resnick Education Wing. The Weill Music Room will become the Manhattan location for free Carnegie Kids concerts for children ages 3-6 (the free citywide series will also continue to be offered in community venues in the other four New York City boroughs throughout the season). Upcoming Carnegie Kids performances in the Weill Music Room include: Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower (November 8, 2014); Songs for Unusual Creatures (January 11, 2015); The Itty Biddies (February 7, 2015); and Emily Eagen (May 31, 2015).

Ticket holders to Carnegie Hall Family Concerts for children, ages 5-12, will enjoy free pre-concert activities in the education wing. Upcoming Family Concerts include performances by Ladysmith Black Mambazo (October 19, 2014; Zankel Hall) and Steven Reineke and The New York Pops (December 21, 2014; Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage). A Broadway-themed Family Concert completes the 2014-2015 series (April 18, 2015; Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage).

For more info, visit carnegiehall.org!

Elle Belle is an adorable toddler who lives in the Upper East Side of Manhattan with her magnificent mommy and dapper dad. She enjoys cruising around NYC in her stroller while making everyone smile wherever she goes. She can be reached at ellebellenyc@gmail.com.