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

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 25th 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 14th, 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 5th. 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.