On Sunday, November 3, 2019, the Staller Center Instrument Petting Zoo (IPZ) stepped out of the schools and libraries and onto the Staller Center stage. The IPZ team gave an introduction to their instruments and the symphonic fairy tale for children, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf.

The goal was to learn about the sounds of the instruments, emotions they can portray, and how they all come together in a traditional piece that kids will love. The concert was the perfect introduction to classical instruments and music for young children.

The Instrument Petting Zoo started in Summer 2015 to help introduce children and families to classical music, and to reach out to undeserved school districts and those districts where music and arts education has been cut or drastically reduced.

Working with Stony Brook’s Department of Music, Staller Center put together a team of student musicians and trained them as instructors to form the IPZ. During the past four years, the IPZ has reached thousands of children across Long Island. Most of the time, it is the child’s first experience with classic instruments. The IPZ goes to local libraries and schools to help introduce children and their parents to classical instruments.

Learn more about the Staller Center for the Arts.