Leta G. Snow Instrument Petting Zoo
Fun Hands-on Musical Activity for All Ages
Teachers & Homeschool Leaders: Schedule an Instrument Petting Zoo as a musical activity
Community Groups (churches, libraries, etc.): Schedule an Instrument Petting Zoo for your communities
Parents: Find an Instrument Petting Zoo near you
Impact
Every season, the Leta G. Snow Instrument Petting Zoo reaches over 1,000 participants throughout Southwest Michigan.
What Is An Instrument Petting Zoo?
Explore the instruments of an orchestra with an interactive, hands-on musical activity! Symphony staff will bring a variety of instruments and activities right to you.
Meet the Instrument Families
Strings
Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass
The biggest family in the orchestra, strings use a bow made of wood and horsehair to vibrate strings to produce sound. You can also pluck the strings with your finger for a completely different sound.
Brass
Trombone, Trumpet, Baritone, Tuba, French Horn
Can you buzz your lips and make a sound that way? If you can, then you can play a Brass instrument. You “buzz” into mouthpieces, big and small, and the sound arrives.
Woodwinds
Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone, Flute
Appropriately named because you use your breath (wind) to make the sound. Some instruments just rely on your air, some use a single reed that vibrates to produce sound, and some use a double reed.
Percussion
Timpani, Snare Drum, Xylophone, Tambourine, Goat Hooves (?!?)
Anything you can SHAKE, SCRAPE, or STRIKE can technically be a Percussion Instrument. We have a variety of different sounds, shapes, and “cymbals” for you to play.
Find a Storybook Near You
Bring a Leta G. Snow Instrument Petting Zoo to You!
Reach out to our Education Team to learn more about Leta G. Snow Instrument Petting Zoos.
