Young ones on song for ANU music prom

The ANU Music Society Toddler's Prom will begin at 10am at the School of Music, to introduce very young children to instruments and hopefully engage them in a lifetime of love for music.

''I think it's really important for everybody to have access to music from the time they are very small,'' conductor Lizzy Collier said.

''Even if they don't really understand why we are marching to Bananas in Pyjamas - because we have two feet - it is something they can enjoy.''

Ms Collier said very young audiences provided a different experience for the musicians but their parents were great.

''I had the idea for this when I was spending time with my niece,'' she said.

''I started humming the Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens and my sister said, 'that's nice - what is it?' and I realised that unless you're a music nerd like me you probably won't hear it.

''To see the sheer enjoyment on the children's faces is really lovely. The response from parents has been really great and they return for the next one.

''We know that toddlers will fall asleep during the concert and will move around and have the occasional hissy fit, but we still really enjoy doing these concerts.''

Ms Collier said she expected a full room. ''The last time we did this we had the misfortune to plan it on the same day as a Thomas the Tank Engine exhibition,'' she said. ''So a lot of our usual audience went along to that instead.

''But it's usually it's a packed audience.''

Tickets to Toddler Prom are $10 for adults, $6 for children and $20 for families. Tickets are available at the door and the concert will be held in the Band Room of the School of Music, in the Peter Karmel Building.

Another concert, aimed at adults, will be held on May 11 at 3pm at the school.