Our Family Discovery Series: One Family's Journey

From a Lincoln Center regular to a Philadelphia Orchestra superfan, this mom's journey shows how moving to the suburbs doesn't mean leaving the magic of live, classical music behind. Now, with her five-year-old daughter following in her footsteps, Sara and her father [pictured in the photo above] have found that our Family Discovery Series and the Kimmel Center is where their family's tradition of appreciating live, classical music can flourish throughout generations.  

Please introduce yourself.  

My name's Sara and I am a stay-at-home mom who lives in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and I work part-time as a self-employed certified public accountant. My love of the performing arts started with dancing throughout my childhood, and our home filled with the sounds of my father's classical music collection day and night. My parents never denied me an opportunity to go to the theater, so now I hope to raise my daughter in the same way. 

How long have you been attending Philadelphia Orchestra  concerts?  

I have attended Philadelphia Orchestra concerts since late 2022. My first Philadelphia Orchestra performance was Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4 with my father. I was so impressed with the beautiful, lively sound of the Orchestra and the way music carried through Marian Anderson Hall. My daughter's first performance was the Children's Holiday Spectacular in December 2023; she was four years old. There's no better way to introduce a child to the symphony than with Christmas songs (and Santa!). 

What is your favorite part of our Family Discovery Series? Which activation has been most memorable for you and your family?

For my family, the most memorable experience has been the Halloween Spectacular in 2024. Attendees were encouraged to dress in costume, and two hours prior to the performance, there was face painting, a photo booth, trunk or treating, and a costume contest. My father, daughter, and I arrived two hours before the show and were fully entertained as we waited for the start of the performance. My daughter loved seeing all the children in their costumes and grabbing a few treats from the tables set up around the Plaza. Sitting in the concert hall with my father and my daughter, hearing beautiful music — there's no better way to spend a Saturday. This year, for the Christmas show, we brought my husband and our friends and took part in the gingerbread house decorating contest. Each family performance seems to be more entertaining than the last, and we look forward to going every few months. 

Why should families check out our Family Discovery Series?

The family-friendly shows can be as much, or as little, as your family would like them to be. You can get there an hour or two before the performance and partake in the activities set up in the Plaza for kids — crafts contests, prizes, and more — or you can just attend the show, which lasts about 40 minutes with no intermission. The conductors at family concerts make a point to interact with the children in the audience. The Orchestra does a great job at tying all the music and activities together for the children. At the Halloween Spectacular, the audience was able to watch the costume contest in the lobby prior to the performance, and the winning family was announced on stage at the end. Overall, it shows children that going to an orchestral concert is a fun, memorable experience. If this is imprinted in their minds at a young age, then it will be a fun part of their lives for years to come. 

What role does the arts play in your family's life?  

As an adult, I use classical music as a way to escape the rigors of daily life. I’ve found that music of any kind calms my daughter the same way. If she’s had a long day at school, is sick or upset, putting on music that is familiar to her calms her almost instantly. I hope that by showing her the power classical music has had on my life, she will learn to appreciate it as well. There is always music playing in our house, and it makes me so happy when she recognizes music from ballets like Appalachian Spring or Swan Lake. If I can instill a small piece of my appreciation for classical music in her that she may not get at school, then I will be thrilled. The Philadelphia Orchestra helps me accomplish that goal by providing entertaining and fun experiences for children of all ages. 

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Thank you, Sara, for sharing your story with us.

Learn more about our Family Discovery Series featuring unforgettable performances across a variety of genres such as Broadway, dance, and more!

The Family Discovery Series is generously sponsored by Dietz & Watson. A heartfelt thank you to our generous donor community and corporate sponsors for supporting our free activities before our Family Discovery Series performances. Your contribution makes a lasting impact! Want to help us continue this tradition? Click here to learn how you can make a difference with your gift.