Tell me I'm not being ridiculously over optimistic please....

[joelallie]

I've bought ticket to see the Bournemouth Philarmonic in December for myself and my eldest kids (7 & 9). It's only a Christmas 'last night of the proms' so not too heavy going - I think I'd be on to an instant loser with the Ring Cycle . They've been to see a Classical concert before but it was geared for kids and they loved it. I just have this niggling little worry that they are going to be bored and it will out them off for life. Any one else do anything like this?

Sounds great - a fantastic introduction to live music I hope. Have a great time

I'm sure they'll love it.

We have taken our two to a Last Night of the Proms concert every year for four years now - they are aged 10 and 8.

They think it's great, and enjoy joining in with the singing.

Buy flags and have fun!

We were taken to classical concerts as kids, some we loved, some we didn't, though I think we always enjoyed the experience of going out to a grown-up event with our parents - your Xmas proms one sounds like a good idea.

Just don't dress them up in velvet dresses with hair ribbons - there are always one or two like that at concerts and it really freaks me out for some reason.

Garrgggg.... velvet dresses with hair ribbons. Don't think DS would let me anyway

I was the same as a child - generally enjoyed it but TBH I just took it for granted as that was simply what we did. My kids have a dad who prefers Radiohead, Linkin Park (??) and other type stuff I can't quite identify ... but will tolerate classical lite if forced to . So I live in terror of the time my kids will say in the car 'mum please change the CD I HATE your music...let's have daddy's music now'. So I'm attempting to gently brainwash now whilst they are still young enough to do what they are told....

humphrey - not sure there'll be the flag waving stuff as it's just christmas proms. Hadn't though of that actually.... Gawd...don't tell DH or he'll stop them going completely.

LOL Joelallie - I am always dying for my dd to start screaming when dh puts his bloody Led Zeppelin on in the car, but she never does, the little traitor....

led zep!!! I wouldn't worry - give it a few years and she'll realise that it's so desperately uncool she'll jump out of the car!!!

I think the fact that we won't be getting home till nearly 11 and we've got the top price balcony seats (children pay £5 for any seat) makes the whole thing much more acceptable to them. I can't wait - this is only the second time I'v been to a concert for years and years.

It's amazing what chioldren will absoeb and enjoy. Despite generally insisting on fairly modern vocal music and on stories in the car, ds once gobsmacked my parents by requesting Rachmaninov! He's currently a little patriot, singing Rule Britsnnia, as a result of really taking to a Last Night of the Proms CD.

Is Marin Alsop conducting? She's very dynamic. Shame DH won't go as well - he could end up surprising himself! Kids are always fascinated to see people actually playing instruments - I'm sure they'll love it.

Good for you - you only find out about these things if you try and my children always surprise me with what they will endure (recall dull Georgian puppet show I made them sit through that they talked about non stop since and remember fondly.)

I say go for it with vigour, expectt hem to love it and they won't let you down. Children love things their parents love and I applaud you for branching out!

crochety - Gavin Sutherland apparently. Just got the tickets!!

He's good as well - does a lot of the lighter end of classical stuff.

Well it's tonight. Kids quite excited but mostly about being out at night in Bristol than anything else. Bought some sparkly blower thingys to make a noise just in case it is going to be that kind of 'last night of the proms'.

No we didn't jura. The kids loved every minute of it but I have to say that I was a bit disappointed. No classical at all - just Christmas songs - I knew there would be some of that but I hoped it would be a mixture, bit of Mozart or Bach maybe ...but no. 'White Christmas', 'Jingle Bells' etc. Wonderful orchestra with singer, very funny and great for kids...but not my taste at all.

Still. I'll know better next year.

And they have us some light sticks to wave about but DS#1 split his and had luminous gunk all over his hands for most of the second half. Typical DS#1.