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Quebec
Jeunesses Musicales Canada has another season filled with musical entertainment geared especially for children. Families can get into the Halloween spirit at the Halloween Jam on Oct. 20. Musicians and a dancer invite everyone to move along to the rhythmic storytelling of the pumpkin reel! Dec. 1 brings Christmas-themed programming to the stage with Jazz-Noisette. The story and music of The Nutcracker are enhanced when Drosselmeyer gives a robotic jazz-infused nutcracker to Clara that takes her on a jazzy-journey. On Feb. 9 Fred Solo and his trumpets take children on a journey through classical-music staples accompanied by humour, animatronics, and technology. On March 16, the well-known story of Babar the elephant is narrated alongside the music of Poulenc. Then, percussionists Marton and Bruno put on The Beginning of Bing Bang!, an interactive and educational program about global rhythms. The season ends on May 11 with the Globetrotting Jam, a show that helps children discover a variety of musical traditions.
Place des Arts returns to the 2024-25 season with more than 20 children’s shows. Highlights include the opening Cirk’Alors! on Sept. 22. This miniature circus uses exaggeration and humour to show the power of music in the absence of dialogue. Kattam et ses Tam-Tams gives children a chance to develop their own rhythm as Kattam involves them in a show featuring percussion from across the globe (Nov. 10). Nora la trotteuse promises an extraordinary puppet show including live music, plays of light, and moving images (Feb. 2). After great successes in 2023, Ravel’s family-appropriate opera L’Enfant et les Sortilèges will be performed by the Atelier lyrique artists and the Orchestre de l’Agora (Feb. 6-9). March 5 and 6 brings the infamous Wizard of Oz story to life through music, as the characters sing along their journey down the yellow brick road. The season wraps up on April 6 as Arthur the adventurer takes children on a musical journey to Morocco, one of many stops on his adventures around the globe.
Théâtre Outremont offers a variety of family programming for children aged 18 months to more than 8 years. The opener presents the story of little Me-Me embarking on a search for a missing caribou. This musical fable highlights ecology and human impact on the planet (Oct. 6). The ecological theme continues with The Nonsense. This musical performance follows three humans as they undergo natural consequences of abusing the Earth’s resources (Nov. 3). The Foutoukours clowns then take the stage for a humorous show about a lengthy journey for an unknown result (Nov. 29). The holiday season welcomes The Illusionists duo to act out the behind-the-magic trials faced by a magician-duo in the Roaring 20s (Dec. 27-28). Younger children will enjoy an early introduction to Indigenous music and practices as the Immobile Travelers creation company presents an immersive show weaving drums, cellos, voices, and breath (March 23). Finally, the impact of kindness is shown in Someone Loves You Mr. Hatch as a lonely puppet learns the power of companionship (June 1). Minimum ages for each show can be found on the website.
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal is offering a number of family concerts this season. Children can dive into the world of dragons, unicorns, and the firebird during Fantastic Creatures. Music by Debussy, Sierra, and Stravinsky will be brought to life with illustrations by Frédéric Ellis (Oct. 27). Then, get to know the concerto on Feb. 25 at My Dear Concerto! Children will learn about concertos for all different instruments before they hear a rising star of the OSM competition.
Ontario
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s children’s programming begins on Nov. 3 with Peter and the Wolf. This piece by Prokofiev is brought to life by conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser and the orchestra. Bartholomew-Poyser returns on Feb. 16 for Hot, Hot, Hot! Calypso, Cumbia & More. This Caribbean adventure explores exhilarating calypso rhythms and encourages concertgoers to dance in their seats. Conductor Trevor Wilson and performers from Classical Kids LIVE! perform Beethoven Lives Upstairs on March 23. The touching exchange between a boy, his uncle, and their new upstairs neighbour is underscored with excerpts of Beethoven’s music. Finally, Wilson returns on May 4 for She Holds Up the Stars. Leading Indigenous performance company Red Sky Performance tells the story of an adolescent Indigenous girl navigating complex challenges through her unique bond with a wild horse.
Western Canada
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra is excited to invite families and young children to join Ms. Kate for a Musical Morning! Together children will learn about sounds and instruments via familiar tunes (Sept. 22, Dec. 15, Jan. 19, March 15). On Oct. 23, Fred Penner takes the stage to celebrate 40 years of “The Cat Came Back.” Penner’s guitar show is a fundamental part of North American family entertainment. Conductor Lucas Waldin and entertainer Al Simmons then join forces for “Something’s Fishy with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra” (Nov. 17). The symphony-for-kids concert is an ideal introduction to classical music. In January, the symphony-for-kids program celebrates music of the Americas as Max and his dog Mambo learn to dance (Jan. 26). On March 22, conductor Cosette Justo Valdés brings children on a musical journey through the roots of global folk songs, encouraging singing, dancing, and playing.
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