Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra and the Music Institute of Chicago bring you a unique new program for children!

Recommended for ages 5 to 10

For more information, please call 847 615-1811.
Questions? Read the FAQ…

The Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra invites you to bring your children to our Sunday afternoon concerts (4:30 p.m.) at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. After the children have listened to the opening piece on the program, they are invited by Maestro Heatherington to go with the teachers from the Music Institute of Chicago to classrooms in the building where they are engaged in musical and educational activities related to the music they have just heard the orchestra play. They learn about the music in an age-appropriate setting with skilled teachers while you enjoy the remainder of the concert: a true blending of a live musical experience and music education.

With MUSIC for LIFE, attending concerts is a family activity. Your children can experience a live music performance, learn about it and go home with materials that encourage additional discussion. You are able to enjoy classical concerts and share your love of music with your children, developing in them a life-long love of music and lasting memories of attending classical music concerts with you.

What if we have other children in our family that are too young for Music for Life?

No problem. Bring them along! If you have a child participating in the Music for Life program, you may also bring younger siblings. We will provide babysitting for children 4 and under during the concerts.

For more information, please call 847 615-1811.
Questions? Read the FAQ…

What the press is saying:

Classical for kids,
without being dull

Chicago Tribune, October 24, 2008
The Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra has a better idea…

Getting kids in
on the classical act

Evanston Review, October 23, 2008
Like the weather, everybody talks about it, but no one does anything. Until now…

What parents are saying:

“Olivia felt very connected to the teachers and seemed to appreciate learning about Finland, the culture at the time the music was written, and stories from that time period. The instructors ‘reached’ Olivia and tapped into her inate creativity and enthusiasm well.”
—Betsy Popovich, parent

“Thanks for offering us the opportunity to participate in the Ars Viva Children’s Program. It is a fantastic concept. We really enjoyed it. My daughter very much enjoyed hearing Finlandia and she VERY much enjoyed the educational time with the teachers. She particularly enjoyed having Sibelius show up in person to discuss his life!”
—Andy Eloff, parent

“I cannot think of a better way to structure an event; the kids are happy, the parents are happy, and I love it that the repertoire is regular grownup music, not just Britten’s ‘Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra’ and Prokofiev’s ‘Peter and the Wolf’.”
—Julia Bentley, professional singer and parent

“Up until now, family concerts meant adults sitting with their kids listening to a concert designed for kids. Now the Ars Viva Symphony in Chicago has a new spin on that, called “Music for Life.” This seems clever to me. Parents get to hear a professional concert; the kids get a small exposure to the real thing, and then are taken separately for an experience that suits them. In the end, everyone benefits.”
—Gene Carr, CEO of Patron Technologies

“From the moment five year old Nikki stepped into the Music for Life class, she was delighted. Creative, fun, knowledgeable teachers led the children through introductions to the featured composer of the day, exercises and games in rhythm, and much more! There was even a snack! What a delightful way to develop a child’s imagination and love of music!”
—Nelson & Thelma Stevens, grandparents