The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra is excited to announce the Marz Homes Family Concert Experience, Saturday, January 30. In partnership with Mohawk College, this family concert offers families throughout the region the opportunity to engage in a full day of orchestra-themed activities.

The day is capped off with, The Legend of the Northern Lights, a one-hour symphonic concert at the McIntyre Centre for the Performing Arts, featuring spectacular on screen visuals to accompany the music. Designed for parents and children age six and up, the concert is conducted by Music Director Gemma New, offering families a chance to get to know the HPO’s new artistic leader. The concert also features recognizable and beloved classical greats such as Strauss’s well-known Blue Danube Waltz and introduces kids to the sections and instruments of the orchestra.

Families have the opportunity to purchase a full-day pass or tickets to the concert only.  Kids and their parents can get started on the festivities as early as 11am and enjoy some of the following drop-in activities around Mohawk College:

Instrument Petting Zoo
Get an up close and personal look at the instruments of an orchestra.  Kids have the opportunity to hold a trombone, pluck a cello string or push the keys of a flute in this fun and interactive station.

Found Sound Station
HPO Composer-in-Residence Abigail Richardson-Schulte demonstrates how sounds can be created with mundane objects around the house.  Hear what a stove rack sounds like, and learn how you can make music with a turkey baster!

Craft Station
Colour in a picture of the day’s conductor and help us assemble an Andy Warhol-esque portrait of our new music director! Kids also have a chance to create art work using sheet music and hear what their “music” sounds like.

Musical Storytime
Have a seat and enjoy a story as the HPO reads The Man with the Violin, about a young boy who experiences a life-changing occurrence when he hears American violinist Joshua Bell playing in the subways of Washington, DC.

Make Your Own Instrument Station
With the help of volunteers, kids can make and take home their own musical instrument!  Using craft supplies, kids can design their own orchestral instrument based on inspiration from the concert.

Families can enjoy the full symphony concert The Legend of the Northern Lights in the McIntyre Centre for the Performing Arts from 2 – 3pm.  This multi-media concert experience features video and photo images of the aurora borealis taken from the Canadian Space Station.  The images accompany the music and story of the northern lights, based on a Canadian children’s tale and written by Scarborough-born author Walt Terry.

At the HPO’s Symphonic Adventure, children and their families create great memories and learn about science, space and the symphony in this all-encompassing day of orchestra activities at Mohawk College!

The HPO is pleased to partner with Mohawk College Student Services, Mohawk College Early Childhood Education Department, Mohawk Alumni, An Instrument for Every Child and KV 265 Science & Symphony programs.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the Marz Homes Family Concert Experience are available online at staginghpo.wpengine.com, by calling 905.526.7756 or in person at the HPO Box Office in FirstOntario Concert Hall (formerly Hamilton Place) at 10 MacNab Street South.  Families can purchase a full-day pass or tickets for the concert only.  Lunch and parking are included in the cost of a full day pass.

  • Child (concert only) – $10
  • Adult (concert only) – $20
  • Child Day Pass (lunch and activities included) – $20
  • Adult Day Pass (lunch and parking included) – $30
  • Family Day Pass (2 adults, 2 children) – $80

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Media Contact: Diana Weir, Director of Communications and Development | Tel: 905.526.1677 x230 | Email: dweir@hpo.org

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1884 as The Hamilton Orchestral Society and grew to become one of Canada’s major professional orchestras. Today, the HPO is a leader in Hamilton’s robust arts community where it provides professional orchestral services and music education programs to address the needs of the community. The HPO continues to commission and premiere works and is one of the artistic jewels of the Hamilton area. The combined musical talents of its artists continue to enrich the community.