Arts Outreach
The Pavilion’s Instrument Petting Zoo, powered by Ovintiv, is a free outreach program where children have the chance to get up close and personal with the orchestral instruments they see professionally played on stage.
Arts Access Mission
The Pavilion's beloved Instrument Petting Zoo travels to area classrooms, community events and Pavilion arts performances to give kids of all ages the opportunity to see and hear the different instruments of the orchestra—up close and personal! The unique experience provides children (and adults!) with a hands-on exploratory music education experience. Various instruments, including guitars, violins and drums, are set up for kids and families to touch, play, and listen to, with volunteers present to showcase the qualities of each instrument. In many cases, this is the first chance a child has to hold an instrument and make their first musical sounds!
The Pavilion's Instrument Petting Zoo is generously sponsored by Ovintiv.
The Instrument Petting Zoo is on the road and heading to local libraries and community events this season.
View the Calendar of EventsWhat is it? The Instrument Petting Zoo introduces children to the various instruments of the orchestra. The goal is to provide the youth of the community the opportunities to experience live music by giving as many students as possible hands-on experience to play and try musical instruments in a supervised environment and potentially incorporate it into their lives.
Why is it called a zoo? Even though no real animals are involved, the Instrument Petting Zoo still lets children and parents alike touch and play musical instruments in a low stress and fun environment. With so many new instruments, it can seem like a zoo!
Where is it? The Zoo is featured during pre-show activities at all Pavilion arts events as well as schools, daycares, churches, libraries and community events.
How much does it cost to host? The Instrument Petting Zoo is a completely free program! No costs involved to experience the arts up close and personal!
The Pavilion is looking for dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers to help supports its Instrument Petting Zoo! Zookeepers will help introduce kids of all ages to the joy of playing a musical instrument by allowing them a unique, hands-on experience handling and producing sounds on orchestra instruments. Prior music experience is preferred but not required.
Zookeeper Interest FormDo you have a gently used musical instrument collecting dust in the attic? Email the Outreach Department below to share information about your instrument to see if it's a good fit for the program. Your contribution can bring the joy of music to countless children. Please note that we will only accept instruments that are both functional and playable.
Donate an InstrumentVideo
Share a short video here when staff want families, educators or partners to see the program before they register.
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