DENTON, Texas (UNT) – Every fall in Denton, children in grades 2 through 5 get a chance to visit a very different kind of petting zoo –one that doesn’t feature animals, but includes drums, flutes, horns, violins and other orchestral instruments.
The Instrument Petting Zoo takes place from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 19 (Saturday) at UNT’s College of Music, 415 Avenue C, Denton. Following a 20-minute concert by top UNT ensembles from the Center for Chamber Music Studies in the Recital Hall, room 301, participants will have the chance to try woodwind, brass, string and percussion instruments with the guidance of UNT music education students.
“It’s great to watch the kids explore undiscovered talent,” said music education professor Dr. Don Taylor. “Their eyes light up and many times you’ll hear their parents say that they didn’t know their child might have such natural musical ability.”
Participation in the Instrument Petting Zoo is free, however, reservations are required. RSVP to Taylor at 940-565-3745 or Don.Taylor@unt.edu. Parents or guardians must accompany the student participants.
The Instrument Petting Zoo is one of many community outreach events hosted by the North Texas Student Music Educators and the College of Music. This year’s event sponsors include Pender’s Music Company, Universal Melody Services and Extreme Cuisine Catering.
