By SHERRI SMITH BROWN

Verdi, Dvorak, Gershwin. These may not sound like topics of discussion that children would enjoy—at least under the age of 12. And they probably aren’t. But music—and music beautifully performed—is something that even the smallest child can tune into in some way.

Last fall I took then four-year-old daughter Brianna to Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown Atlanta to watch and hear the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra play the musical score of “The Wizard of Oz” while that 1939 Judy Garland celluloid masterpiece lit up the hall’s big screen in all its black and white and Technicolor glory. She was mesmerized. Of course, a few gummy bears to eat and costumed Dorothys and Good and Bad Witches of the North and East scattered around the audience helped.

Then this past spring, my husband and I took now five-year-old Brianna to The Beach at Callaway Gardens to hear the ASO perform from their stage with Robin Lake as background. Chastain-like tables with reserved seating, candles and serious food and drink took center stage in front of the orchestra, but the grassy hillside was dotted with families and friends taking advantage of the free concert. To the left of the bandstand, children played on the beach, running, dribbling soccer balls, throwing Frisbees, occasionally yelling a little loudly, but all and all, soaking up the sounds of the orchestra. As it grew darker, Brianna and most all returned to their seats on the knoll to clap their hands and dance. (more…)