This morning we all went to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and had a great time. I found $6 tickets on line, with seats in the front row of the top balcony (Gallery). Perfect view, unless - like Kristen - the height made your stomach a little uneasy.
Both Miles and Emery enjoyed the concert, which featured Latin American music. The conductor did a great job making the music interesting and accessable to the audience. The final two "dance" pieces featured the Chicago-Mexican Dance Ensemble, and they were a big hit with the kids as well.
Prior to the concert the CSO sponsored activities for children related to music. One activity, that I thought was really cool, was a "Young Composer" station. Kids had the chance to write music, and then hand it off to a guitarist who "played" their piece for them, and talked with them a little bit about it. This was RIGHT up Miles alley. A second station that Miles really liked was the percussion station. Most kids were just banging away on the drums. When Miles walked up, he started to play a repetitive rhythm, using two different pitches from the head, and also hitting the rim of the drum. The CSO percussionist who was working at the table heard Miles doing this (despite all the other sonic chaos) and walked over to him. At that point he picked up a Samba-Whistle and a shaker, and started to interact with Miles musically. Miles smiled, and kept playing ... holding steady to his ostinato while the CSO musician improvised with him. When they both stopped the guy looked up at me and said, "Wow ... that's a young budding percussionist you've got there." Miles added, "I play piano, too."
