Posted on

‘Instrument Petting Zoo’ to be held at Charles City Public Library

  • Violins were the instrument of choice for these kids at a musical instrument petting zoo put on by the Wartburg Community Symphony Association. Photo submitted

  • Children decide on which noise maker to pick at a musical instrument petting zoo put on by the Wartburg Community Symphony Association. Photo submitted

  • A youngster plays a flute at a musical instrument petting zoo put on by the Wartburg Community Symphony Association. Photo submitted

  • An attendee of a musical instrument petting zoo takes a crack at playing the trombone. The Wartburg Community Symphony Association puts on the events. Photo submitted

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

There won’t be any small animals grazing around the lobby of the Charles City Public Library this weekend, listening to music.

Don’t expect any concertos being performed, either.

But there will be plenty of musical instruments that kids can play when the library holds its first ever “Instrumental Petting Zoo” from 2:30 to 4 p.m Saturday.

Wartburg College music students will be putting on the petting zoo. Those students and the Wartburg Community Symphony Association will help any kindergarten through fourth-grade students who may want to try out various instruments like trumpets, trombones, the flute or a violin.

The zoo will take place in the library main’s section, back by the magazines.

“Don’t expect a quiet library on Saturday,” said Library Director Annette Dean.

Wartburg Community Symphony Association President Jon Tehven said it’s a way to pay back to the communities that support the symphony. WCSA has put on instrument petting zoos in Sumner, Plainfield and Waverly libraries.

“It is a fun-filled time for every age. I smile just thinking about it,” said Tehven.

Dana Schwickerath, youth services director at the Charles City Public Library, said attendees of the petting zoo can get introduced to instruments they may have never seen before or experienced. She said students will explain to the kids background information about the various instruments. Schwickerath and Tehven also said all ages are welcome to attend.

“It’s very kid-friendly,” said Schwickerath. “That’s what the whole petting zoo idea is, where they can actually get to touch the instruments. It’s going to be noisy.”

There will be no woodwind instruments at the petting zoo, but Tehven said they’ll be plenty of noise makers for the younger kids. A disinfectant is used on the brass instrument mouthpieces between each user.

There will also be a free drawing for complimentary tickets for two adults and two students to attend three Wartburg community symphonies. Children under the age of 5 are allowed free admittance to the symphonies.

 

Social Share

LATEST NEWS