“This is hugely successful. It often goes on for as long as the concert went on,’’ said Adrienne Hartzell, executive director of the orchestra. “That is up to an hour of people staying with their kids — often the parents want to try the instruments too — trying out the string instruments, the French horn, the oboe, the trumpet. Play the timpani, play the bass drum.
“It gives the kids a chance to actually make the sounds. That has been a compelling part of our program over the years,’’ Hartzell said. “They love this. I get calls from parents saying, ‘When is the next instrument petting zoo?’ ’’
“Music for all’’ is the motto of the 75-member nonprofessional regional orchestra based in Newton. Performances aimed at kids have been part of the orchestra’s schedule since its founding in 1995.
“We need to help to keep classical music alive by making music experiences available and accessible to young kids in their formative years. Arts are getting cut back in the schools … and there are fewer and fewer chances for kids to discover what live classical music is all about,’’ Hartzell said.
The New Philharmonia’s conductor, like pretty much everyone else in classical music, hopes such programs eventually turn children into adult concertgoers.
“They are our only long-term hope for future audiences,’’ said Ronald Knudsen, who is also the orchestra’s music director.
“I’ve been a member of the Boston Symphony for almost 46 years,’’ said Knudsen, a violinist. “I have seen the audiences change and become older and older. The Boston Symphony is making an effort now to attract younger people. Certain concerts have greater appeal to the high school and college age, and these are being better and better attended.’’
