This weekend, Gub's dad and I sent her off to spend the night with her grandparents while we went to the Seattle Symphony. I always enjoy the symphony more than I expect to, but it's almost always the case that my mind wanders during some slow movement. This time, I kept thinking about how much I wanted Gub to experience the joy of live music on this scale.

I really have no excuse for her lack of exposure, because it turns out that Benaroya Hall offers an impressive selection of family concerts. The one we'll be checking out is the Tiny Tots program, which is designed for children from birth to age 5, with program titles such as "Goldilocks and the Four Bows." For older children, Benaroya offers the Discover Music program, which delves a little deeper into classical music. Offered in conjunction with that concert series are the Discover Music enhancement classes at Soundbridge, Benaroya's music education center. In addition to these programs, Soundbridge offers Kindermusik classes and hosts "Meet the Symphony," in which kids can ask questions of the Seattle Symphony's talented musicians. Next up? Meet the Percussion, which is taking place Sunday, Feb. 10.

And just in case you or your friends are in college, Benaroya Hall offers an awesome deal: Students get into many performances of classical, jazz and pop music for just 10 bucks. Wish I'd known back in the day!

When she isn't writing about kids and families, Lilium Pierson can be found adventuring in Seattle with her young daughter, "Gub." Their favorite activities include library visits, Sundays at the West Seattle farmers market and exploring their neighborhood. Pierson's work has appeared in Seattle Business Monthly.

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