Instrument Petting Zoo

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Instrument Petting Zoo
2009 TASO Conference
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What is an Instrument Petting Zoo?

• A hands on activity that invites children to see,
  touch and play musical instruments

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Where do we bring the Zoo?

• 4 subscription Family Concerts
• 15 Sounds Like Fun! Concerts
• Houston Theatre District Open House
• Magical Musical Morning
• Target audience -- Children up to age 12

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Equipping a Zoo

• Animals (Instruments)
• Zookeepers (Volunteers)
• Visitors (Children)

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Instruments in the Zoo Whos in the Zoo?

• Fractional-sized violins and cellos
• Assortment of brass
• Interesting variety of percussion
• Assortment of woodwinds

Zoos most popular woodwind--Bassoon
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Volunteers But I cant play an instrument!!!!!!!

• Experience playing instruments is not required
• What IS required?
• Enjoy being with children
• Willingness to learn how to present instrument
• Enthusiasm !

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Volunteers Every zoo needs knowledgeable
zookeepers

• Annual training session
• Basic bow holds for strings
• Buzz for brass
• Take apart and store instruments

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Make it Fun!

• Try to give each child a demo
• Lips buzz for brass
• Invite the children to touch the instruments
• Keep the line moving
• Bring smaller instruments to children waiting in
  line

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Volunteer Needs

• 7 to 10 volunteers per shift

• Assign one captain for each shift

Houston Symphony League members devote over 200
volunteer hours annually to this project
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Whats New and Improved

• Meeting Challenges
• Adequate volunteer staffing
• Facilitating flow of the crowds

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Corporate Volunteers

• Ideal for corporations desiring an increased
  presence in the community
• Corporate volunteers to work side by side with
  League members

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Community-Based Volunteers

• National Charity League chapters
• Girl Scouts
• High School Booster clubs
• National Honor Society

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Going with the Flow

• Signs identify instruments and areas
• Percussion Parkway
• String Street
• Cello Cove
• Woodwind Way
• Brass Boulevard

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Going with the Flow

• Stanchions and ropes to control flow
• Volunteers circulate with small instruments

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Financial Information

• Instruments are donated and maintained by Music
  Arts Center
• Incidental expenses associated with the petting
  zoo are paid for by Houston Symphony

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