. . . to Bach’s Lunch?  That was the question.  “The music of Bach may or may not be performed.  Adjust your musical expectations accordingly,” said the poster.  I decided “to go.”  We packed sandwiches, grapes, some pretzels, and our adjusted expectations.  “We” in this case included the 10-, 9- and 2-year-olds.  The older two would do well, but I wasn’t sure what to expect from Her Royal Highness.  Toting a diaper bag loaded with mini board books, we set off.

She did marvelously!  Even clapping in appropriate places.  (Mind you, it didn’t hurt that she could eat through much of the performance.)  Not only that, the older two soaked it up as well.  The performance included some concert conversation – explanations of the pieces from the stage – which helped them connect with what otherwise might have been an amorphous wash of sound, albeit pleasant and well-ordered.  It was a totally successful outing and one we’ll likely repeat.

Just a few weeks earlier, I had faced a similar debate.  On the table was a performance of Jason and the Argonauts by a local children’s theater series.  The tickets were very inexpensive, less than $5 each.  The subject was perfect for what we’re studying: ancient history.  It would even appeal to a boy.  My dad was in town and could go along to help with crowd control, bathrooms and parking – the perfect answer for how to homeschool during a visit from Grandpa.  We had to go!

But we didn’t go.   Because despite the fact that the outing was perfect on paper, Mom just wasn’t up to it.  The cost of the tickets may have been reasonable, but the cost to the whole family for the rest of the day (or so!) was not.

Sometimes, even though the price, the subject matter and the logistics seem like they’re just right, it’s still just too hard to get there.  Exposing kids to the arts does sometimes require a willingness to stretch oneself to get there.  At the same time, teaching kids that we need not jump at every interesting opportunity requires that we carefully evaluate when it’s time to stretch.

How do you sift through the dizzying pile of artistic opportunities out there –especially at this time of year?  Post, and encourage your fellow Homeschooling Parents.  But only if you’re up to it, of course.