The Woodlands Children’s Museum Receives Grant for Ensemble Series with Woodlands Symphony Orchestra

The Woodlands Children’s Museum Receives Grant

for Ensemble Series with Woodlands Symphony
Orchestra

Expanding access to the arts is made possible
with generous support

from the Montgomery County Community Foundation.

The Woodlands, TX – The Woodlands Children’s Museum is delighted
to announce a series of upcoming performances that will offer children an
opportunity to meet local musicians and discover facts about the different
instrument families that are part of a symphony orchestra. The 4-part series is made possible by a
generous grant from the Montgomery County Community Foundation and will feature
ensembles by the Woodlands Symphony Orchestra (WSO).

“This is a magical opportunity to expand access to the arts and
offer young children an up-close experience with talented musicians in our
community,” stated Angela Colton, the museum’s Executive Director. “We are very grateful to the Montgomery
County Community Foundation for their generous support and making this program
possible.”

Music is a fundamental part of the arts and plays an important
role in early childhood development.
Research suggests that music enhances cognitive skills, language
acquisition and memory, and introduces new vocabulary. Music also supports emotional development,
providing an outlet for expression and helping to manage feelings. Integrating music into early childhood
education not only makes learning enjoyable but also supports holistic
development.

“The Community Foundation is excited to support this addition to
all the great opportunities at The Woodlands Children’s Museum,” stated Julie
Martineau, President and CEO of the Montgomery County Community
Foundation. “This is a fun and hands-on
way for children to learn about musical instruments. In addition,
music enhances brain development in children. We are looking forward
to a positive experience for our children and families.”

The series will begin with a visit from members of the Woodlands
Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Ensemble on March 4, 2025, as the museum celebrates
the Mardi Gras season. At 10:30am and
11:30am, children can march through a musical parade and enjoy a performance of
traditional New Orleans-style jazz, while learning how this music has shaped
today’s modern pop music. Brass instruments are a vital and versatile part of the
orchestra, providing power and majesty while contributing to the overall
richness and complexity of orchestral music.

On Friday, April 25^th at 11:00am, the museum will
host members of the WSO’s String Ensemble in a celebration of Children’s Day/Book
Day. This special day highlights the
importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds
and will feature a reading of Book
Fiesta!: Celebrate Children’s Day/Book Day (Celebremos El dia de los ninos/El
dia de los libros) by author Pat Mora.
After the story time, children will have an opportunity to meet the
string section of the WSO and enjoy a performance of storybook and
international music in recognition of this special day. String instruments form the core of the orchestra, providing a
rich and versatile tonal foundation.

The WSO Percussion Ensemble will visit the museum on Saturday,
June 14^th, to provide a wildly fun beat during the museum’s Dads, Dino’s
and Donuts Father’s Day event. Percussion
instruments provide a rhythmic backbone and add a diverse range of colors and
textures to the orchestral sound. From the subtle shimmer of a triangle to the
thunderous crash of cymbals, percussion enlivens the music, emphasizing
dramatic moments, creating atmosphere, and driving the tempo of the orchestra. Children
and families can experience the rhythm and beat of different percussion
instruments and enjoy performances at 10:30am and 11:30am.

In recognition of Independence Day, the WSO Woodwind Ensemble
will visit the museum on Saturday, July 5^th. Clarinets, flutes, oboes, and other woodwind
instruments often carry the main melodies or countermelodies, creating a
memorable aspect to music and providing a sense of beauty and grace to powerful
patriotic themes. Woodwinds also excel
at playing rapid passages and adding intricate details and flourishes to music,
creating a dynamic soundscape that stirs feelings of pride and patriotism. Children can meet these talented musicians
and experience more hands-on interaction with the woodwind family!

Darryl
Bayer, Artistic Director for the Woodlands Symphony Orchestra, explained, “It’s
about building the next generation of musicians and audiences. The impact music
has on a child will shape their future love for the art, if not becoming the
next performing artist. It is an honor
to be part of this series for our community in a way that makes the musicians
reachable.”

The WSO performances
are included with admission to The Woodlands Children’s Museum. For additional information, please visit www.woodlandschildrensmuseum.org. The Woodlands Children’s Museum is located in
the Panther Creek Village Center at 4775 W. Panther Creek Drive, Suite 280, The
Woodlands, Texas 77381. Hours are
Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30am – 2:00pm, Friday 9:30am – 4:00pm and Saturday
10:00am – 5:00pm. The museum is closed
on Sundays and Mondays.

About The Woodlands Children’s
Museum
The Woodlands Children’s
Museum, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was founded out of a desire to
meet the community’s proven need for a positive environment where children and
their families can learn, play, and make special memories throughout the year.
At the museum, fun and learning go hand in hand, whether children are creating
art, singing along to a musical performance or conducting a science experiment.
The museum also has made it a priority to bring children multi-ethnic and multicultural
experiences that celebrate cultural and global differences and strengthen
common bonds. Programs frequently are delivered in partnership with other
nonprofit organizations, always with the goal of making a positive difference
in the life of a child. woodlandschildrensmuseum.org.