Children learn about music at Lakeside 'instrument petting zoo'

Jessica Denton
·2 min read

LAKESIDE – The Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside was filled with the sound of music as children were invited into the lobby to play and learn more about musical instruments in an “instrument petting zoo.”

Keri Lee Pierson, a Music Performance doctoral student at Bowling Green State University, was one of the organizers of the event, held within the gates of the picturesque Lakeside Chautauqua on on Thursday.

Pierson and other Lakeside staff wanted to put together an event for children ahead of the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra’s performance in Hoover Auditorium that evening.

Lakeside Symphony Orchestra member Aaron Keaster, of Perrysburg, watches over Sofia Beverly, age 7, of Port Clinton, as she tries out the double bass at Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside.
Lakeside Symphony Orchestra member Aaron Keaster, of Perrysburg, watches over Sofia Beverly, age 7, of Port Clinton, as she tries out the double bass at Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside.

Outside was a mural coloring activity for music appreciation, as well as four different games, a video-making station, crafts and the instruments.

Children learn the basics of playing instruments

They expected about 100 people to attend, Pierson said.

The lobby was filled with doting parents taking photographs of their children as they learned the basics of playing brass, woodwinds, percussion and stringed instruments.

One eager participant was Sofia Beverly, age 7, of Port Clinton, who plucked the strings of the double bass alongside guidance of Aaron Keaster, of Perrysburg, who plays with the LSO, as well as the Toledo Symphony.

Eva Melin, 10, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and Luke Brymer, 8, of Oxford, learn to play the viola and violin at Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside as part of an “Instrument Petting Zoo.”
Eva Melin, 10, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and Luke Brymer, 8, of Oxford, learn to play the viola and violin at Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside as part of an “Instrument Petting Zoo.”

Just steps away was Madilynn Smith, age 4, of Falling Waters, West Virginia, who was learning the violin with Jacob Campbell, of Lorain.

“I think they’re responding quite well,” Campbell said, as Luke Brymer, age 8, of Oxford, and Eva Melin, age 10, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, tried the violin and viola.

Orchestra hosted summer concert in Hoover Auditorium

The popular notes of songs from the "Jurassic Park" and "Star Wars" soundtracks echoed through the auditorium as the evening progressed.

The Lakeside Symphony Orchestra (LSO) opened its summer concert series with “Our Amazing Earth” in Hoover Auditorium after the petting zoo.

Children and parents gathered at Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside for an “Instrument Petting Zoo” as part of the Chautauqua’s music appreciation event at Lakeside. Later on the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra performed a family concert of “Our Amazing Earth.”
Children and parents gathered at Hoover Auditorium in Lakeside for an “Instrument Petting Zoo” as part of the Chautauqua’s music appreciation event at Lakeside. Later on the Lakeside Symphony Orchestra performed a family concert of “Our Amazing Earth.”

Lakeside also welcomed Ottawa County and Kelleys Island residents for free admission to the symphony and a dinner on Thursday evening.

More than 80 musicians from across the country are members of the LSO, many of whom have devoted years of service to Lakeside.

More information about Lakeside and its programming is available online at lakesideohio.com.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Lakeside orchestra holds 'instrument petting zoo' for youths