I was in Phoenix this weekend for my commencement ceremony, and my family and I went to the Musical Instrument Museum. I have to admit this may have been one of the best museums I have attended as parent, and perhaps even as a tourist.
We were greeted as we entered warmly by the volunteers who were very eager to show us around, and they gave all of us our own headsets, that sync up nicely with each exhibit. Then we were shown into the introduction hall that has a few key intsruments and a short introduction video, before we then head upstairs to have a tour around the world of musical instruments, quite literally.
Every continent is represented, and we were able to wander through different centuries and different countries of music and musical development. My children and step-children range in ages 6-13, and have different levels of ability, one being on the autism spectrum, one being a budding percussionist, a few violinist, one interested in reed intsruments, a few pianists, and my husband and I also playing several instruments. I also have two stage performers in the mix. They all found themselves enamored throughout the various exhibits and histories.
My two daughters are half Filipina, and the Philipines exhibit drew some specific joy and excitement, from the bambo instruments, to the vidoes of music being played from the land they had visited only a few months prior.
However, the most exciting part was the Experience room, where several instruments were set up for everyone to play and experiement with. I am not sure if the young kids or the 40 year old kids had the most fun in that room, but it was a joy to watch all the music being made. There was also a large concert hall on site that is often used for performances and special experiences within the museum.
One treat that we got to experience was the demonstration of a Appollonia in the mechanical musical gallery that was a great crowd pleaser.
If you are ever in the Phoenix area, this is something I highly encourage dropping in to see.
We were greeted as we entered warmly by the volunteers who were very eager to show us around, and they gave all of us our own headsets, that sync up nicely with each exhibit. Then we were shown into the introduction hall that has a few key intsruments and a short introduction video, before we then head upstairs to have a tour around the world of musical instruments, quite literally.
Every continent is represented, and we were able to wander through different centuries and different countries of music and musical development. My children and step-children range in ages 6-13, and have different levels of ability, one being on the autism spectrum, one being a budding percussionist, a few violinist, one interested in reed intsruments, a few pianists, and my husband and I also playing several instruments. I also have two stage performers in the mix. They all found themselves enamored throughout the various exhibits and histories.
My two daughters are half Filipina, and the Philipines exhibit drew some specific joy and excitement, from the bambo instruments, to the vidoes of music being played from the land they had visited only a few months prior.
However, the most exciting part was the Experience room, where several instruments were set up for everyone to play and experiement with. I am not sure if the young kids or the 40 year old kids had the most fun in that room, but it was a joy to watch all the music being made. There was also a large concert hall on site that is often used for performances and special experiences within the museum.
One treat that we got to experience was the demonstration of a Appollonia in the mechanical musical gallery that was a great crowd pleaser.
If you are ever in the Phoenix area, this is something I highly encourage dropping in to see.
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