CULTURE WATCH : Music Is Kids’ Stuff

Last Saturday more than a thousand kids packed the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to play a “drumpet” with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. And they even made the instrument they played--after a bit of instruction--from recyclable materials such as fast-food containers, straws and string.

This novel experience, for children 6 to 12, took place at the opening of a five-concert series called Toyota Symphonies for Youth. In one of the coming sessions, Feb. 24, youngsters have the opportunity to learn about the orchestra and how the music is created from none other than the Philharmonic’s music director, Esa-Pekka Salonen.

After Saturday’s gathering of 6- to 12-year-olds, there was a program for children 3 to 5, who sat on the floor circling the orchestra. Over a 30-minute period, they were introduced to symphonic music and the instruments of the orchestra.

By noon, all had departed with their parents, who perhaps were thinking that in these times--when budgetary restraints and falling respect for the arts have pretty much erased musical education from the elementary school curriculum--there is still a ray of hope with programs such as this one.

Symphonies for Youth is backed by a grant from the makers of Toyota automobiles. Efforts of this kind fill only a small part of the need. Many of today’s kids will have no chance to receive the musical education that their parents had at school.

For the four sessions that lie ahead, all of the region’s children are invited to learn from the Philharmonic, a jewel of Los Angeles’ culture.