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Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra offers a few ways to share classical music with your children. While children under age 6 are not allowed in the performance hall for regular concerts, SPCO offers family concerts at different levels. If your child grew up on the free family concerts and is ready to graduate to the real thing, you can now do that affordably as well.
Image courtesy SPCO
Attending Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Concerts with Children Ages 6 to 17
In an effort to make SPCO performances as accessible as possible to everyone in the Twin Cities community, especially young people, the SPCO announced in 2016 that children ages 6-17 can attend unlimited regular SPCO concerts free of charge with up to 4 free child tickets per paid adult ticket.
“We are expanding our accessibility even further in the 2016-17 season by inviting children to attend unlimited SPCO concerts for free. Now it will be easier than ever to bring the whole family to experience transformational performances with the SPCO.”
--Managing Director and President Jon Limbacher.
For our family of six, a 3- or 4-Concert Series is cheaper than using a Children's Theatre ACT Pass (which is an amazing deal), but unlike the ACT Pass, this deal does not require income qualification. For a family of four, two 4-concert series packages plus two free kids, is still just over $6/person per concert - making it a very affordable family outing.
Attending Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Concerts with Younger Children
Featuring the musicians of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Start the Music!, xplorchestra! and Family Concerts are FREE programs specifically geared toward children ranging in age from preschool to middle grades, but the whole family is welcome. SPCO uses narrators, stories and themes to help children connect with classical music at their own level. These Free Family Concerts require a reservation and often sell out quickly; get your tickets fast by joining the Backstage-Pass Email Club to receive timely email reminders. The 2018/2019 season is below:
- 10/13/18 • Free Family Concert
- 01/12/19 • Xplorchestra: Powerful Percussion
- 02/02/19 • Free Family Concert
- 02/09/19 • Xplorchestra: Powerful Percussion
- 03/16/19 • Start the Music: Spirited Strings
- 03/23/19 • Xplorchestra: Spirited Strings
- 04/13/19 • Start the Music: Spirited Strings
Read More About Gianna's Experience with these concerts: Family Fun: Target Free Family Music with St Paul Chamber Orchestra
SPCO xplorchestra activity - image courtesy of Anna Botz
Prep at Home With a Free Listening Library
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra offers free access to a library of past performances. Sort by categories such as genre, composer, conductor, performer or even country of origin. Or you can just search for your favorites.
Other Options for Exposing Twin Cities Kids to Classical Orchestra
- Minnesota Orchestra and Orchestra Hall
- Minnesota Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra
- Free Music & Melody Makers Program with Minnesota Youth Symphonies
- MacPhail Center for Music
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