Babies Proms 2013

On Thursday, we went for Babies Proms -- our 4th edition, would you believe it? Since that time when I managed to get tickets quite by chance in 2010, we've been back every year, and have gone on to induct Meips into it too.

This being our 4th time attending, it was all familiar and par for the course for me. The programme was much the same as last year, following the same format, and with a number of songs being repeated. I enjoyed this year's selection of music and no, it's not because they played the Star Wars theme! My son was quite tickled by that though. For the record, here's this year's playlist:

2013 Playlist

Exceprts from the following:

HANDEL - La Rejouissance from Music for the Royal Fireworks
MASCAGNI - Intermezzo from Cavalleria rusticana
STRAUSS - The Blue Danube Waltz No. 3
TOWNSEND - Cheerful Cha Cha
TCHAIKOVSKY - 3rd movement from Symphony No. 6 ‘Pathétique’
WILLIAMS - Imperial March and Main Title from Star Wars
WILLIAMS - Theme from Jaws
OFFENBACH - Overture from Orpheus in the Underworld
BIZET - Les Toréadors from Carmen
SOUZA - The Liberty Bell March 

Our view of the stage.

It was interesting attending the concert with Noey this year as he's been having music lessons (for piano) for the past year. As compared to last year, I felt that he was more attuned to the music. We had some fun talking about the dynamics in the pieces, and also trying to identify the time signature for each piece. He also tried, on his own accord, to identify the ending notes of the pieces, but he didn't get them right. Hah. Guess his pitch still needs some work! But I could see that he had a better appreciation for the music this time round, which was great.

As for Meips, she enjoyed waving and moving along to the music. She's always been an attentive member of the audience -- she really great at shows and concerts -- and this was no different. I was glad that she had a chance to just have fun.

 

Pretending to be a tree, swaying to the music.

I guess both kids enjoyed it, since they unexpectedly surprised me by saying that they wanted to go on stage to get closer to the instruments at the end of the concert. I immediately hurried them down, but we didn't manage to get on stage in the end since the 50-child limit was quickly reached. So we had to make do with being in front of the stage, which, fortunately, the kids were quite content with. I really wish they would do something about the mayhem at the end where everyone rushes for the stage. There'd always be parents waiting around thinking they'd get their chance to go up, only to be realise later that nope, the show's over. Maybe issue tickets or have better crowd control?

We met Mummydelphine in front of the stage!

Much as the kids enjoyed it, I'm not sure we'll be back next year. I might still bring Meips but for Noey, I think it's time to move on. Both children really enjoyed Carnival of the Animals in November, part of the SSO's Concerts for Children Series, and we are looking to catch the next one in March next year.

We'll see how it goes, but I know Babies Proms will always have a special place in our hearts and memories!