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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to take my not-quite-five-year-old to a classical concert?

49 replies

designerbaby · 11/04/2012 23:16

I've already bought the tickets but I could take DH instead.

She's been banging on about wanting to learn the violin. There's a performance of Britten's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra within easy reach in a couple of months, where she'll get a good idea of all the different instruments and what they sound like.

I thought we could make it a 'big girl day out' and go out for something to eat together first. A compulsory lunchtime nap should ensure she's able to stay up without too much bother. She sits happily and quietly through a film in the cinema.

I'm hoping she'll rise to the occasion but have bought aisle seats in case we need to make a swift exit...

AIBU? Or AIB a bit nuts to even contemplate it?

Honestly?

db
xx

OP posts:

OldGreyWiffleTest · 11/04/2012 23:19

No harm, in fact she might enjoy it. As long as you're prepared to make the swift exit! I'd give it a go, tbh!

musicmadness · 11/04/2012 23:19

As long as she knows she has to be quiet and you take her out if she does start to talk/make a fuss I don't see the problem. Just make sure you take her out at the first sign of trouble as even a small amount of noise can be quite disruptive at something like this.

twilight3 · 11/04/2012 23:20

only you know that, it really depends on the child. I could take my daughter to opera before she was three, but with my son I couldn't even walk through the mall without feeling he's annoying everyone, even at the age of 5 or 6.
I assume that in order to buy tickets you consider her a good audience for such a thing. Enjoy :-)

WorraLiberty · 11/04/2012 23:21

As long as you make your exit I don't see the problem.

In the meantime, youtube has some great violin concerts.

Beamur · 11/04/2012 23:21

I'd take her but be prepared to leave early - she might really enjoy it.

MissVforVendetta · 11/04/2012 23:22

YANBU, as it's The YPG, there will probably be quite a few younger people there anyway, my Mum took me when I was 6.

It's one of my favourite memories :)

larks35 · 11/04/2012 23:22

YANBU at all! Wise to get aisle seats but I bet you won't need them. I bet she'll love it!

BBQJuly · 11/04/2012 23:22

It's a great idea, especially as she sounds so enthusiastic about music :) Hope you have a lovely time!

ilovesooty · 11/04/2012 23:24

It sounds as though she'll really enjoy it. I think you should go.

SundaeGirl · 11/04/2012 23:27

Hmmmm. No. Sorry. I've got a five year old, and listening to stuff at home or live young child stuff is better for now. I'll take him in a few years time.

You aren't being unreasonable just maybe a bit over ambitious. If you do decide to go though, it's not like your going to Wagner Open Night and it's likely that the rest of the audience will be expecting children to be there so none of that horrible-staring stuff. So, yeah, no harm done.

slacklucy · 11/04/2012 23:27

Go for it, she sounds intersted. Much of Brittens stuff is aimed at children & I would expect the audience will be quite young anyway.
Enjoy!

flyingspaghettimonster · 11/04/2012 23:28

go for it! my in laws love opera and classical concerts and have taken my daughter to lots... I don't share their passion for it so am just glad they have quit trying to culture me. my sons are not interested either so don't go... make sure you can leave easily if it isn't going well...

juneybean · 11/04/2012 23:29

Do it! I'm a nanny and my bosses are musicians and we often go to see shows and both the 4 year old and 2 year old sit very well throughout

TheAvocadoOfWisdom · 11/04/2012 23:29

Ohh lovely. It's Britten not Schnittke after all. I took then 3yo DS1 to a jazz concert as he's a big fan of the saxophone - he loved it. Don't hesitate for a moment - you'll have a great time.

BBQJuly · 11/04/2012 23:34

Children can be very open-minded about music and may well enjoy Schnittke - why not? We humans are easily brainwashed into preferring the type of music that we're most familiar with, by culture/geography etc. so why not reverse this a little? :)

Original poster

designerbaby · 11/04/2012 23:42

Phew... it's just a couple of friends seemed to think I was insane.

She's pretty well-behaved generally and can concentrate for ages if she's interested in something. Aisle seats towards the back, so we should be able to duck out discreetly should the need arise, and I will do at the merest squeak - I have no desire to ruin anyone else's evening.

She does seem really keen... It might pass, but I'd like to explore it with her a bit. I was a bit of a muso in my youth, but fell into it somewhat later as neither of my parents were especially musical ? the first classical concert I attended I was playing in!

It's Britten and Beethoven so fairly accessible, I'm hoping...

Nothing ventured...
Thank you!

db
xx

OP posts:

Original poster

designerbaby · 11/04/2012 23:48

Not sure I would voluntarily sit through Schnittke... Even for the sake of broadening my DD1s horizons (and she's my pfb... DD2 will probably only get taken to Björn again )

I aways like the first 30 seconds of Schnittke and thereafter it sounds to me like the soundtrack to one of the circles of hell

OP posts:

BBQJuly · 11/04/2012 23:48

kirsty75005 · 12/04/2012 06:03

I'd say that if it's short concert and designed to appeal to little ones go for it.

The one thing I'd add to what other posters have said is that a classical music concert can be taxing for the concentration of adult music-lovers, so it might be a good idea to watch out for signs that her concentration is fading and leave early if she's starting to be "musicked-out". For a point of view of broadening her horizons it'll be better to just see the first half and leave having enjoyed it than to sit through to the end after she's too tired. It's a new and complex art-form, it does take a lot of concentration.

flowerywallpaper · 12/04/2012 08:41

Yes, definitely take her, what a great idea! It's a concert for younger people so she'll not be the only child. I still remember the first time I saw/heard an orchestra live (was a little older). I was determined to learn cello after that and I still play now. It has given me immense satisfaction and enjoyment.

Good on you!

ElephantsAreMadeOfElements · 12/04/2012 08:46

From the thread title I was going to say YABU, but if it's Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra then it should be OK (assuming that she's temperamentally suited to sitting through a concert).

WhileMyKidsPaGentlySleeps · 12/04/2012 08:47

I took my DD to her first classical concert (a special family concert) when she was three. We stayed for the first half, had loads of ice cream at the interval and then went home before the second half. Good memories all round.

Could you take a favourite book or two for her to look at if she starts to flag? Also, listen to the music a lot at home before you go - dance round the house to it - then she'll recognise it and that will make a big difference.

In my experience other people are often thrilled to see little children at classical concerts, so you might find your fellow concert-goers are much more sympathetic than you expect - and as everyone else has said, be prepared for a quick retreat if necessary. Have fun.

sashh · 12/04/2012 09:34

The last time I went to see a ballet (matinee) there were numerous little girls about 5 years old - many wearing their ballet shoes - and there was no disturbance.

I'm assuming from the title this is a concert aimed at young people so take her and have fun.

YouOldSlag · 12/04/2012 09:49

Seeing as it's the Young Persons guide, I think it's a good idea to take her. Could be a great way to start a lifelong passion.

If it was aimed solely at adults and she was a noisy fidgety bum, then I'd say no. You sound like you've thought it through so, good luck and enjoy your evening.

kazmus · 12/04/2012 10:44

take a book that has all the instruments in, she could try to spot them all if her interest starts to wander.

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