A Unique Event Mixes Music and a Petting Zoo by Samantha Carlson - City News Group, Inc.

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A Unique Event Mixes Music and a Petting Zoo

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Photo Courtesy of: Samantha Carlson

Some of the hardworking volunteers for the event, Ruston Ropack, Stacie Lindenbaum, Alicia Fuller, Hope Watts, Minna Decker, Kevin Enriquez are all ready to share music with children and their families.

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Photo Courtesy of: Samantha Carlson

The Redlands Symphony at the Memorial Chapel at the University of Redlands. They took children and their famalies on a musical safari through the power of music and imagination.

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Photo Courtesy of: Samantha Carlson

Three generations came to enjoy an afternoon of free music. Barbara Bates with granddaughter Audrey Gaze and son Brian Gaze.

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Photo Courtesy of: Samantha Carlson

Sitting outside relaxing together as a family and enjoying some snacks provided by Clark's Nutrition and Natural Foods Market. Matt Gragg with Kasen, Janee, and Kallen Gragg.

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Photo Courtesy of: Samantha Carlson

Colin Ma enjoys getting a mini music lesson from one of the symphony orchestra members with a smile on his face.

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Photo Courtesy of: Samantha Carlson

Logan Yasul tries her hand at the trombone with some help from University of Redland's volunteer, Amanda Weinland.

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Photo Courtesy of: Samantha Carlson

Ella Johnson tries out the clarinet as Samuel Rubio looks on. It's a really nice instrument, Rubio says.

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Photo Courtesy of: Samantha Carlson

Mera Willis is a little shy, but with some coaxing from Amanda Weinland, she finds the courage to try and play the trombone.

By Samantha Carlson, Community Writer
April 16, 2014 at 11:58am. Views: 15

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.”

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