2014–15 New York Philharmonic Very Young People's Concerts Begin 11/30-12/1

The New York Philharmonic Very Young People's Concerts (VYPCs), for children ages 3 to 6, will begin its tenth season Sunday, November 30, 2014, at 12:30 and 3:00 p.m. and Monday, December 1 at 10:30 a.m. at Merkin Concert Hall, 129 West 67th Street. The program, titled Philharmonic Playdates: "Games and Toys," is the first installment in a season of concerts casting the instruments as toys, musicians as friends, and musical ideas as games. Philharmonic Associate Principal Viola Rebecca Young is the host; Philharmonic violist Dorian Rence is the writer of stories about Philippe the Penguin, a character created for the series; and Marion Schoevaert is the illustrator. The "Games and Toys" program will feature Dvor?a?k's Slavonic Dance in G minor, Op. 46, No. 8; Allegro from Leopold Mozart's Toy Symphony; and stories and illustrations set to Vivaldi's Concerto for Piccolo and Strings in C major, RV 443, performed by Philharmonic flutist Mindy Kaufman.

The VYPCs are designed by Philharmonic musicians working with faculty from Teachers College of Columbia University to introduce young children to classical music through games, active listening, and hands-on music-making. Before each concert, musicians are stationed throughout Merkin Concert Hall to greet families and initiate musical activities on the day's theme. After each performance, children have an opportunity to try orchestral instruments themselves.

The next Very Young People's Concerts, "Make-Believe," will take place February 8-9, 2015, featuring selections from Saint-Sae?ns's The Carnival of the Animals.

Single tickets start at $23. Limited availability for Sunday. Tickets may be purchased online at nyphil.org or by calling (212) 875-5656, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Tickets may also be purchased at the Avery Fisher Hall Box Office. The Box Office opens at 10:00 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and at noon on Sunday. On performance evenings, the Box Office closes one-half hour after performance time; other evenings it closes at 6:00 p.m. To determine ticket availability, call the New York Philharmonic's Customer Relations Department at (212) 875-5656.

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