Welcoming children to a musical world

Click here to view the full program in a separate window.

Project Overview
The Family Christmas program was designed as an educational, interactive, and fun companion piece for The Choral Arts Society of Washington’s annual holiday concert for children. More than just a list of songs and singers like their typical adult concert programs, this program served as a gateway for young audiences to engage with choral music, learn about the people of Choral Arts, and participate in the joy of live performance. Guided by a custom-illustrated character named Bella, the program became an entry point for children into the musical work, breaking down the "invisible walls" between the performers and the audience.

Objectives

• Enhance Accessibility: To prepare and demystify the choral concert experience for children by using age-appropriate language, engaging illustrations, and interactive elements.

• Encourage Participation: To shift the audience role from passive listeners to active participants through sing-alongs and educational content that extended beyond the concert hall.

Key Components & Activities

• Narrative Guide: The creation of "Bella," an illustrated character who acted as a tour guide throughout the booklet, welcoming children and explaining concert etiquette and musical concepts in a warm, approachable tone. (Bella also featured in additional social media for the show.)

• Cultural Spotlight: A dedicated feature on the Parol—the traditional Filipino Christmas lantern displayed on stage. This section explained the lantern’s history and significance, connecting the visual stage design to the organization's broader diplomatic partnership with the Philippines Embassy.

• "Meet the Conductor": An engaging Q&A with Artistic Director Marie Bucoy-Calavan that humanized the role of the conductor, explaining her job as a "musical wizard" and highlighting her background as a "mom-conductor."

• Interactive Design: The layout utilized bright colors, readable fonts, and playful graphics to maintain engagement before, during, and after the performance.