Sometimes it’s easy to think all the best of everything cultural is in the city, but a few organizations in the northern suburbs are out to change that perception. Do North, a collaboration between Ravinia Festival, Kohl Children’s Museum, Botanic Gardens and Writers’ Theater, wants to let people know there’s plenty to do outsideChicago’s city limits.
Recently, Ravinia partnered with Kohl on the museum’s music exhibit, letting each organization bring its own strengths to the process of fostering a love of music in children.
“Ravinia can provide their expertise with music and we draw the audience they are trying to reach,” said Dave Judy, spokesperson for the museum. “They have the music education and we have strength in how kids learn at a young age.”
The hands-on “Music Makers” exhibit is one of 17 permanent exhibits for children ages birth to 8at the museum. Itis designed to help children discover how sound is created in a variety of ways, how to recognize different types of sounds and the physical forces behind them, and how to manipulate melody, tempo and rhythm.
Plans are still in the works for updating the exhibit, but Judy says they envision giving the music corner of the museum more of a “Ravinia” feel by putting in elements from the organization’s outdoor music festivals. “This (music) exhibit is actually one of the oldest and most well-loved at the museum, so we needed to pay some attention to it.”
As the exhibit is updated, the museum and Ravinia will continue to provide concerts and instrument petting zoos to provide children with opportunities to explore music, Judy says.
