By Ritsuki Miyazaki

The sweet sound of a symphony could be heard during the Tunes for Tots performance from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday in the Whitehead Auditorium.

The annual event, held by the Valdosta Symphony Guild, was designed to introduce the several instruments played by the child orchestra.

“Tunes for Tots is the annual out reach event for the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra and South Georgia string project,” Dr. Lauren Burns, director of South Georgia String Project,  said. “It’s to show children what each of the instruments in the orchestra sounds like and also to advertise for the South Georgia string project.”

During the performance, the children of the South Georgia String Project performed an orchestra, and several VSU professors demonstrated solos with each of their instruments.

Among those who attended included several VSU undergraduate and graduate music majors who supported the event as part of their training.

“It really exposes kids to music and different instruments,” Jenny Zimler, a sophomore music education major, said. “And especially afterword when they get a chance to come up really close–it just gives them some hands on experience and is a really cool part about the event.”

After the performances, several children got their hands on experience from instruments including the trumpet, violin and tambourine.

For many of the children who participated, this was their first real experience to try these instruments. Several parents were grateful for the learning opportunity.

“This is a great opportunity for children and adults to come out, enjoy, see the instrument up close and hear the music,” Jacqueline Lilly, a mother who attended the event with her child, said. “It’s like what they call the petting zoo for the instruments. My daughter played the violin for a few years but now she wants to play something different because of this event.”

The South Georgia String Project will begin classes on Monday for children who are eight years and older. Lessons include learning how to play violin, viola, cello or base.