On Sept. 10, Historic Oakland Manor will host a petting zoo. And while there won't be any lions, tigers or bears, there might be a variety of squeaks, toots and grunts as children of all ages experiment with a selection of instruments as part of a musical program hosted by Candlelight Concert Society, a Columbia-based concert presenter of chamber music ensembles and soloists.
"We haven't done anything like this before," said Tracey Schutty, executive director of Candlelight Concert Society of the outreach program at Oakland. "We want to get the news out about the CandleKids series and introduce youth to instruments."
The program will feature a performance of the woodwind quintet, Quintaero, followed by the members of Quintaero allowing youth to try-out the instruments.
"It will be a very easy-going," said Schutty, who plays flute for the group, of the performance. "We don't expect the children to sit quietly. We want to encourage children to sit on the floor in front of the musicians so they can see and hear the sounds."
After a short performance — which will feature poetry as well as music from "Peter Pan" and the "Pink Panther" — the performers will encourage everyone to come forward to play the instruments.
"We want every child to get a chance to make a sound on every instrument," said Schutty, who was quick to add that the instruments would be sanitized before each participant.
"This could be what creates a real spark, a moment in a child's life... that gets them introduced to an instrument," Schutty said.
For over 40 years, the CandleKids series has offered a variety of performances geared toward youth.
"We've included opera, jazz, dance, ballet," Schutty said. "This year we really revamped what we do and are not offering anything with recorded music. We want to spark children's interests in live performances."
Anything can happen in a live performance, as children learned last year during a marionette performance, she said.
"One of the marionette's strings broke and they had to pause the show," Schutty said. "It was interesting because they (the puppeteers) got to talk to the kids about it after the show. There is nothing like a live performance."
All of the CandleKids concerts feature a question and answer session afterward between the performers and the audience.
"They have the best questions," Schutty said, of the youth. "It is really interesting the comments between the artists and the youth."
A typical CandleKids series features four shows throughout the year that are geared to youth ages 4 to 10 years old, though all ages will enjoy the shows, Schutty said. On average, tickets for all four shows costs about $35.
"We kept prices down over the years," Schutty said. Despite the reasonable prices, attendance has been down the last few years and that is why the Society is trying new outreach programs.
"We really hope this encourages the parents to come back for a concert," Schutty said, of the petting zoo performance. "We definitely need to get the word out more."
The Musical Instrument Petting Zoo will take place on Sept. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia. Tickets in advance are $10 for adults; $5 for youth; and are $12 for adults; $6 for youth at the door. To register go to .
The CandleKids 2016-2017 Live Music and Dance Performance Schedule:
Oct. 23, at 2 and 4 p.m.:
"Hot Strings and Flying Feet" byFootworks
Nov. 13, at 2 and 4 p.m.
Pradhanica "Rhythm in Motion" (Kathak Dance, World Percussion, Indian Melody)
Jan. 22, at 2 and 4 p.m.
"Brass, Brass, Brass!" by Spanish Brass
Feb. 26, at 2 and 4 p.m.
Akropolis Reed Quintet "Unraveled"
Single tickets for all ages are $11 in advance and $12 at the door. A subscription to all four performances is $35. Groups of 15 or more receive a 25 percent discount ($9 per ticket). All performances take place at the Smith Theatre at Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College. For more information, call 410-730-4744 or go to columbiatowncenter.org.