The Miami Children’s Museum (MCM), located on the MacArthur Causeway at Watson Island, reopened the newly renovated Music Makers Studio on Dec. 17, 2016.
Made possible in part by an anonymous family foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the new Music Makers Studio provides children with a stimulating and interactive musical experience involving kinesthetic, auditory and visual modalities.
The new Music Makers Studio, located on the second floor, pulses with sound and light, incorporating eight distinctive interactive components that allow for full engagement in a variety of music-based activities. Children can explore different instruments, discover how musical sounds are made, be introduced to the concept of musical notation, collaborate with others to make music, and compose unique pieces of music.
Walk into the center of the exhibit where 14 musically interactive, color changing clouds are overhead. When a child passes underneath it strikes a note and changes color creating a unique musical light show.
Then enter the Symphony Orchestra Room. The complete orchestra is laid out through tiles on the floor. From the strings to the woodwinds, from the brass to percussion, all the components of the orchestra are there. As you step on a tile the sound of the instrument comes through as well as the visual projection of it being played. Combine with others and you can bring the whole symphony to life.
Through the Symphony Interactive children can explore the sounds of the orchestra groups by listening to them individually or work collaboratively to hear the whole piece.
In an exciting development MCM has had the opportunity to collaborate with world renowned artist and inventor Remo Saraceni, who has played an integral part in the creation of the new Music Makers Studio. Saraceni is a creator and visionary of many interactive exhibitions that connect the imagination of childhood with the technology of the future. He is best known for inventing the Big Piano from the movie Big, starring Tom Hanks. The Music Maker’s Studio will include MCM’s very own Big Piano.
Additionally, in extending the music theme to more of the Museum, the main staircase will be transformed into an interactive musical instrument playing a variety of notes and melodies as one goes up and down the stairs.
“Recognizing that early childhood is the time when children learn about their world, primarily through the process of play, The Music Makers Studio will offer children meaningful interaction with the sights and sounds of music,” said Deborah Spiegelman, CEO and executive director of MCM. “Music enriches our lives and the exposure with musical performance and familiarity with the instruments can inspire the next generation of musicians. Miami has a rich cultural music landscape and it is never too early to encourage children to attend programs such as the New World Symphony.”
Admission to the World Music Gallery is included with regular museum admission, which is $20 for adults and children, $15 for Florida residents, free for children under 1 year and admission for MCM members is complimentary.
For more information, contact the museum at 305-373-KIDS (5437) or visit www.miamichildrensmuseum.org.
I am an old friend of Remo Saraceni and have not be able to reach him. I know he moved back to Italy to be with his family. Do you have his e-mail? My name is Michael Lewis and was his best friend in Philadelphia. Please help me reach him. 610-864-7831 phone.