If you’ve never been to a Cincinnati Pops Lollipops concert, you don’t know what you’re missing.
These concerts are designed specifically for kids 2-9 and are a fantastic way to introduce your kids to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Every parent knows the importance of music with regard to childhood development, and the Cincinnati Pops have created a program that’s accessible and fun for kids.
Each Lollipops concert clocks in at about an hour, making them perfect for little attention spans. Before each show, there are opportunities for kids to do crafts and try out instruments in the Family Fun Zone. This is a great way to let your kids move around and get excited for the performance! Afterwards, kids can meet with some of the performers and learn more about music.
Each Lollipops concert has a different theme; last weekend’s season finale was Superheroes: Up, Up and Away! The concert featured a special superhero soundtrack and original musical about the plight of Conduktor performed by The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (with a special cameo by John Morris Russell, who may be in the wrong field as he was incredibly charming as an actor!). The combination of acting, superhero theme songs and singing superheroes kept my kids engaged throughout the entire show. (They, like most the other kids in the audience, also came dressed as their favorite superheroes, which made the entire experience even more special.)
Despite all the action happening on stage, however, my kids were really into the Symphony’s music. Which is the whole point of the Lollipops — and the Superheroes concert! (If you’re unfamiliar with the origin story of Conduktor, he basically saves music from the evil, electronica-obsessed Otto Tüün and Purrrfect Pitch.) With the Lollipops, your kids can enjoy live orchestra music in a fun way, which provides a great foundation for their musical futures.
There are only a few Lollipops concerts each season, and you’ll really want to attend each one. The 2017-18 season will return to Music Hall (!) and features Polar Express: A Musical Storybook (Nov. 25), Motzart’s Neighborhood (Feb. 3) and Lemony Snicket: The Composer is Dead (April 28). Individual tickets go on sale August 8th, but season tickets are on sale now. If you subscribe for all three, you’ll save $2 per ticket and get the best seats in Music Hall!