2018–19 NY Philharmonic Very Young People's Concerts Begin in February

The New York Philharmonic Very Young People's Concerts (VYPCs), for children ages three to six, will begin its 14th season Sunday, February 24, 2019, at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Monday, February 25 at 10:30 a.m. at Merkin Hall, 129 West 67th Street. The program, titled "Allegro and Adagio," is the first installment in Philharmonic Playground, the season's theme that imagines the Orchestra as a playground. Hosted by Philharmonic Associate Principal Viola Rebecca Young, the program will feature selections from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Ponchielli's Dance of the Hours from La Gioconda, and Sullivan's Tit-Willow from The Mikado and I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General from The Pirates of Penzance. The works will be performed by Philharmonic violinists Kuan Cheng Lu and Na Sun, violist Judith Nelson, cellist Nathan Vickery, and Principal Harp Nancy Allen. Doug Fitch - with whom the Philharmonic has collaborated on several acclaimed staged productions, and who began his involvement in Philharmonic VYPCs in January 2017 - will design and direct the performance.

VYPCs have been 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 Hall to greet families and lead musical activities on the day's theme. After each performance, children have an opportunity to try orchestral instruments themselves.

"Although I've been in the New York Philharmonic for over 30 years and love playing music on the highest level with the Orchestra in Lincoln Center and around the world, my favorite Philharmonic role takes place a couple of blocks north, at Merkin Hall," says Rebecca Young. "The intimacy of the small concert hall allows young children to connect with the music and the musicians better than they ever could with a full orchestra in a larger venue. Their engagement with the players during the pre-concert activities enables them to feel that they have friends onstage."

Single tickets to Very Young People's Concerts start at $26. (Ticket prices subject to change.) 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 David Geffen Hall Box Office.

Photo Credit: Chris Lee