Music is perhaps the most powerful of all art forms in the way it connects us to ourselves, to each other and to the world around us ... how it strikes deep emotional cords within us, be they happy or sad. We’re lucky to live in a city with so much music filling the air, and we’re especially fortunate to have the Nashville Symphony and the world-class Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

I have always appreciated the symphony’s emphasis on music education for kids, but have never been as impressed as I was this past October when I attended my first Pied Piper Series concert. The Pied Piper Series is specifically intended for children. Conductor Kelly Corcoran says ages 3 - 8 is the target range, though all ages can enjoy the shows. Each performance lasts one hour or less — perfect considering short attention spans — and there is a huge emphasis on making the performances fun.

“We want to make the shows both educational and entertaining,” Corcoran says. The show I saw was definitely both. Not only do kids learn about different instruments and sections in the orchestra, but there’s also a huge visual component on stage, too (the day I was there, dancers from the School of Nashville Ballet were on stage). “The visual aspect is an important part,” Corcoran says, adding, “whether there are actors, dancers, projections on a screen ... it ties the music together. We want kids to experience music and let their imaginations take them on an amazing adventure.”

The pre-concert activities that take place an hour prior to the concerts add even more fun to the overall experience. All throughout the wings of the Schermerhorn, kids can find a plethora of things to entertain themselves. A hands-on instrument petting zoo where kids can get their fingers on a variety of instruments is always on tap, and they can also participate in arts and crafts, games and more, all connected to the theme of the concert they will see.

The fun isn’t just for the kids. I can attest that adults have just as much fun during the Pied Piper experience as their little ones do. If you’ve yet to take your kids, I encourage you to do so this month with the next installment, Pied Piper Holiday, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 17, which Corcoran describes as a “holiday instrument workshop.” The gift of music is a tremendous one, and no one does it better than the Nashville Symphony!