A Unique Event Mixes Music and a Petting Zoo

Families recently visited the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel to hear a family concert and check out an "instrument petting zoo" allowing children to try their hand at different instruments. Grady Hutt led the families on a musical safari and though the power of music and imagination, explored the animal kingdom together. He told them to close their eyes imagine a bird flying across the sky while the musicians played. Hutt asked the kids what kind of animals they liked and what kind of animal they could pretend to be. The children answered with several animals including tigers, dolphins and giraffes. For the grand finale Hutt told the children to listen as all the instruments came together to see what animals they could hear. In attendance was Barbara Gates, whose son and four-year-old granddaughter, Audrey, were visiting from San Diego for the weekend, who shared that her granddaughter has, “Leber Congenital Amaurosis which is a genetic mutation that causes blindness, and this is her first indoor concert.” Audrey enjoyed the concert and was, “clapping along”, and said "Bravo" at the end. A University of Redlands faculty member came to the concert with her husband and two sons and said, “both kids liked it and thought it was cool, it’s nice to have the support of the community and have the kids come out and expose them to the arts.” The purpose of the instrument petting zoo was to have children try out different instruments they may not have had the chance to play otherwise. As the children were trying out instruments, Clark’s Nutrition and Health Market handed out fruit, trail mix and water to event attendees. Jamie Sachs was handing out snacks as people passed by and is the Patrons Services Coordinator for the Redlands Symphony. She said, “It gives the community a chance to try the instruments and see the playful side of the symphony.”