New York Philharmonic Sets 2018 'Very Young People's Concerts' Series

The New York Philharmonic Very Young People's Concerts (VYPCs), for children ages 3 to 6, will begin its 13th season Sunday, January 21, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. and Monday, January 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Merkin Concert Hall, 129 West 67th Street.

The program, titled "Games and Toys," is the first installment in Philharmonic Playdates, the season's theme that imagines playdates with the Orchestra. Hosted by Philharmonic Associate Principal Viola Rebecca Young, the program will feature selections from Schubert's Piano Quintet, Trout, performed by Philharmonic violinist Yulia Ziskel, violist Rémi Pelletier, cellist Qiang Tu, bassist Satoshi Okamoto, and pianist Eric Huebner. Designer Doug Fitch - with whom the Philharmonic has collaborated on several acclaimed staged productions, and who began his involvements in Philharmonic VYPCs in January 2017 - will design and direct the performance.

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 lead 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, Philharmonic Playdates: "Make-Believe," will take place April 8-9, 2018.

Single tickets start at $26. 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. 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 Philharmonic's Customer Relations Department at (212) 875-5656. (Ticket prices subject to change.)

PROGRAM:

VERY YOUNG PEOPLE'S CONCERTS

Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Center
129 West 67th Street

Sunday, January 21, 2018, 12:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. (both sold out)
Monday, January 22, 2018, 10:30 a.m.

Yulia Ziskel, violin
Rémi Pelletier, viola
Qiang Tu, cello
Satoshi Okamoto, bass
Eric Huebner, piano
Rebecca Young, host
Doug Fitch, designer / director

Philharmonic Playdates: "Games and Toys"

SCHUBERT Selections from Piano Quintet, Trout

Pictured: Associate Principal Viola Rebecca Young hosting a Very Young People's Concert. Photo by Michael DiVito.