A new format on the blog: interviews with museum staff about children's programs
There are many museums in Moscow and a huge number of programs for families with children. We've already talked about how to look for information, what features museum websites have, and how museum social media accounts can be useful.
Because I work in the museum field, I have the opportunity to ask questions to colleagues and museum staff. That's how the idea for a new format came about. From time to time I will tell you about programs by interviewing museum professionals (yes, that's what you can call those who work in a museum!).
About the museum
The museum's main exhibition is devoted to musical instruments of the peoples of the world. The organization includes five memorial museums. The museum's programs are aimed at children aged three and up.
To understand the museum's possibilities for a family audience, I asked several questions to Valeria Stepanenko, acting head of the Educational Activities Department of the Russian National Museum of Music.
What does the museum offer children aged 3-6 years old?
The museum offers a large number of programs for children of this age.
The youngest guests can attend the program «Приглашение в мир сказок» (Invitation to the World of Fairy Tales) at the Museum of Music, in which participants will get acquainted with the fairy tale “Teremok”, but the animals' voices in this tale will sound in a new way. Various musical instruments will help us voice them: flutes, rubels, French horn, drum, violin. We invite children to become the characters of this tale, play musical instruments and take part in a real musical performance!
At the P.I. Tchaikovsky Museum in Moscow, kids can attend the program «Нянины сказки» (The Nanny's Tales). In this museum session, a kind nanny will tell our little guests fascinating stories, introduce them to fairy-tale characters and the magical music of composer P.I. Tchaikovsky. By the way, it was in the house that now houses the museum that Pyotr Ilyich wrote the music for the spring fairy tale “The Snow Maiden”.
The S.S. Prokofiev Museum invites children to the program «Туфелька для Золушки» (A Shoe for Cinderella), where children can immerse themselves in the world of a magical fairy tale to the wonderful music of Sergei Prokofiev! In the session our little guests will learn what ballet is, turn into real fairies and wizards, and make the most wonderful shoe in the world for Cinderella!
How to prepare for a visit to the Museum of Music? What should be taken into account when visiting?
The Museum of Music makes every effort to leave the best impressions during a visit.
We organize a variety of interactive events, give visitors the opportunity to play some instruments, share interesting knowledge and introduce our unique collection.
However, so that the journey into the musical atmosphere is comfortable and safe, there are several recommendations for planning your visit.
1. Pay attention to the age recommendations of programs (guides will, of course, adapt, but it is still optimal to observe age restrictions);
2. There are many glass display cases on the exhibitions, so if a child is hyperactive, you should carefully consider the age restrictions or book a private tour.
3. We ask visitors to treat the Museum of Music's equipment and other property with care, to keep the premises clean, and to observe public order.
How is Detskograd organized? What events take place there?
The creative laboratory “Detskograd” is a unique space where children aged 3 to 16 can get acquainted with the world of classical and contemporary music, learn to listen to and understand it, and also develop creative abilities in other activities, including those involving modern technologies.
The center's space hosts creative classes, laboratories and master classes (including musical ones). The curators of “Detskograd” help children unlock their potential and fall in love with art and music for life.
Which exhibits should definitely be shown to the little ones?
At the Museum of Music there are two clear favorites that children find hard to pass by.
The first is the theremin. A very unusual instrument — to play this musical wonder you don't need to touch it with your hands. The musician changes the pitch and volume by moving their hands in the electromagnetic field created by the instrument's antennas. Children in the program «Мифы о музыкальных инструментах» (Myths about Musical Instruments) will be able to try to produce a few sounds themselves.
The second favorite exhibit of the little ones is the giant drum kit. The creator of this unique instrument is the celebrated drummer and composer Rishad Shafi. Museum guests will see not only part of the installation, which has no analogues in the world, but also the drum pedal “Zmey Gorynych”. Shafi invented it specifically to control the instrument. However, the drum kit can only be viewed.
How can the website and social networks help parents prepare for a museum visit?
The website and social networks can help parents prepare for a visit to the museum with children by providing information about the layout of the exhibition, organizational details and additional materials. Videos filmed from exhibitions and displays will give an idea of how the space is arranged.
How do you like this format of presenting children's programs?
