Boudewyns (centre) as Professor Tympanium van Hammer zee Trumpeterclangor, as the MPO performs Haydn's 'Toy Symphony'. — Photo: Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
The positive effects of music on children – whether listening to it or playing an instrument – are manifold, and research has consistently showed that music can help kids develop enhanced listening skills, improve emotional regulation, foster creativity, and even lay the groundwork for future musical education.
A study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2021 reveals that incorporating music in the education of kids between the ages of three and 12 has a positive effect on their emotional development.
"It can contribute to emotional intelligence, especially with regard to emotional perception, expression and regulation," the researchers wrote.
The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) has consistently organised family concerts – called the Family Fun Day (FFD) series – so families with young children can watch an afternoon concert and kids can reap the beneficial aspects of listening to music.
Designed for families with young children, this is an event awaited by parents and guardians whose kids are musically-inclined. Its previous concerts include Beethoven Lives Upstairs (a look into Beethoven's life and his music), Mission Earth (a story about conservation that's infused with well-known classical compositions) and Peter And The Wolf (a symphonic tale for children written by Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev).
Valentine narrates the fables with such passion and enthusiasm, embellished by the music from the MPO. — Photo: Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Another successful outing
Last Saturday, the MPO presented this year's edition of the FFD, titles Fables and Fugues, made up for five compositions that touched on various themes, including the representation of animal sounds through musical instruments and learning about the many instruments that make up the orchestra.
Helmed by Jebat Kee, the 60-minute show saw the hall packed with parents and children, all keen to enjoy this yearly (or sometimes twice yearly) offering by the MPO.
The highlight of the afternoon was Dorff's Three Fun Fables where these Aesop fables were given a musical twist. Certain musical instruments would represent certain characters, making listening to the stories an auditory delight.
Sara Valentine (one of the presenters from the production company Really Inventive Stuff ), told the tales passionately. From the crow who lost his stolen cheese to the fox who praised his beautiful voice, to the tortoise who won the race because he was consistent, everyone in the audience was glued to the animal drama.
Each tale was delivered through distinctive musical instruments so the audience listened to the tales of The Fox and the Crow (with trumpet and contrabass), The Dog and His Reflection (with trombone and violin, harp and percussion) and The Tortoise and the Hare (with contrabassoon and clarinet).
Dorff explains on his website that that Aesop's stories and the music are suitable for children and adults, "a presentation of contrasts where each character in each tale possesses clear theme and instrument".
And it was this differentiation that brought out the unique sound of each instrument that matched the fables' characters and storyline, making them entertaining and educational.
The combination of narration and orchestral music teach the audience about the instruments and the different sounds they make in Britten's 'The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra'. — Photo: Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra
Music for kids
The concert opened with Haydn's Toy Symphony, known as Sinfonia Pastorale or Toy Symphonyin C Major, a charming work often performed for younger audiences. Michael Boudewyns (the other presenter of the afternoon) was the quirky and hilarious-looking Professor Tympanium van Hammer zee Trumpeterclangor, a whimsical, world-travelling sound scientist who plays certain "instruments" since this playful song includes the sounds of trumpet, ratchet, bird calls (cuckoo, nightingale and quail), mark tree, triangle, drums and glockenspiel.
Ravel's Mother Goose Suite: III. Empress of the Pagodas made you think of an imaginary oriental palace, where an empress resides in opulence, surrounded by pagodas. However, that richness and vividity in sound may not be well-appreciated by kids who require narration or visual help to be more attentive.
Meanwhile, Britten's Simple Symphony: II. Playful Pizzicato is part of Simple Symphony, which is based on smaller works that the composer wrote when he was between the ages of nine and 12. And while this composition didn't have a presenter, the Playful Pizzicato segment of the song was striking, with violinists plucking the strings of the instrument, instead of using the bow. Thanks to this technique, the sounds were more percussive and bouncy.
Finally, Britten's The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra (written in 1946 at the request of the British Ministry of Education) is a children – or beginner's – guide to the orchestra, as it teaches the sound of each instrument. From the highest-pitched instrument to the lowest, this method allows the audience to appreciate each instrument's sound, as well as the overlapping sound when everything is played together.
Overall, Fables and Fugues was an educational and entertaining concert, not just for kids, but for adults who were new to orchestral performances. Insightful, informative and fun, it was a great way to spend a quality family afternoon, away from computer games or digital devices.
