Petting Zoo
Each year, members of the North Texas Student Music Educators (NTSME) collaborate with the Greater Denton Arts Council to host an “Instrument Petting Zoo” designed to help children and their parents explore the instruments of the orchestra. The event is open to elementary children in Grades 2-5 and begins with a short concert featuring accomplished chamber groups from the UNT College of Music. After the concert, UNT Music Education students guide children in their first attempts to play the instruments. Progressing through the woodwinds, brass, string, and percussion instruments, each participant has the opportunity to play every instrument of the orchestra. Event sponsors for this year's event included Pender’s Music Company, Universal Melody Services, and Little Guys Moving Company.
The Instrument Petting Zoo is one of many community outreach events hosted by NTSME. Other events include public library performances, senior citizen outreach, and chamber music coaching. In addition, NTSME hosts special speakers each month to foster ongoing networking between pre-service educators and experienced teaching professionals. To obtain more information about NTSME and its events, please contact Dr. Don Taylor at don.taylor@unt.edu.