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Longmont Library partners with Chorale for a unique, interactive performance

This performance provides numerous benefits to children.
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The Longmont Public Library has teamed up with the Boulder Children's Chorale to present an interactive musical and movement experience, aimed at engaging children to explore the connection between literature, music and movement from 11 a.m. to noon on April 15.

This free community event aligns with the overall mission of the children's program at the library, which focuses on engaging children in learning and exploration while providing a safe and welcoming space for the community.

“These sorts of performances capture the attention of children and offer a level of excitement that is very different from watching something on a screen,” said Claire Studholme, children's and teens' librarian at the Longmont Public Library. 

The collaboration between the library and the Boulder Children's Chorale for this event involves Nathan Wubbena, artistic director of the Chorale who selected the texts, stories and songs for the interactive experience, which is offered in classes at the Chorale and performed at other various local libraries such as the Erie Community Library that same afternoon. 

Wubbena, a Longmont resident who takes his two and five-year-olds to the Longmont Public Library regularly, stated that this interactive event will showcase selected books that have songs in them, like “Down by the Bay,” while others will have music that expands upon the stories, creating a fun and engaging experience for participants.

The performance will kick off with a vocal exploration book called "Up, Down, and Around," which guides children through an exploration of their vocal range while learning about planting fruits and vegetables. 

Adding a bilingual touch, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" will be presented in both Spanish and English, accompanied by a simple hand-clapping rhythmic game. This activity aims to introduce children to different languages and cultures while having fun with rhythm and movement.

"Mortimer," another book featured in the performance, will offer children the opportunity to play simple instruments, make noise and practice echoing and modeling which are vital skills for learning to sing. 

“I found that it's really nice working with students because they just don't have a resistance to learning new things and trying new things, as long as you create a safe space for them,” Wubbena said. “As a result, they grow quite a bit from that and it's really, really inspiring, watching the growth that happens.”

Similar to previous children's events at the library, this performance provides numerous benefits to children, including fine motor skill development, social-emotional growth, literacy skills, community connections and STEAM learning.

“Libraries play an important and pivotal role in promoting all forms of education and love of music and literature, as we offer a wide variety of these things every day, for free at the library through our materials, events and story times,” Studholme said.

The Longmont Public Library encourages adults to have fun with their kids and share interests with their children. Parents and caregivers can support their children's participation in library programs by actively engaging in the programs themselves and enjoying the activities with their kids. 

“The best part of my day is getting to chat with kids at our reference desk and see the excitement they share with us. It's wonderful to be a part of the community and offer a welcoming and engaging space for people to connect and enjoy books and conversations. The Longmont Library is a real community living room and that's what I love. It's so much more than the books,” Studholme said.