DELPHOS, Oh (WLIO) - The Lima Symphony Orchestra continues to spark an interest in music through its Symphony Storytime series. The traveling program recently stopped at the Delphos Public Library. The series brings groups of musicians to libraries in seven area counties to share books brought to life with music. Children at the program, called "Tails and Tunes," heard stories involving animals and learned about the violin, viola, and cello. The symphony hopes the storytimes will inspire youngsters to pursue music as they grow older.
“Pretty soon, in a couple years, they'll be in school, maybe trying to decide what instrument they want to play. And, you know, maybe they'll think back to this story time and be like, Oh, I love the sound of the violin, I really want to play the violin. Or I love the sound of the flute, I really want to play the flute. So, we hope to kind of spark that inspiration, that excitement for music, and so that they might choose that instrument, or maybe just choose to be involved in music in some way," says Lydia Butterfield, education coordinator for the Lima Symphony Orchestra.
Studies have shown that music education helps children with math, science, and other academic areas. It also provides a positive outlet for emotions.
“They can get their anger. They can get their emotions out through music. So, it's really important, not just for for school, with helping them in school more, but also just in their life. Enriching their life and helping them with regulating emotions and everything,” adds Butterfield.
The symphony will be visiting different area libraries until June. The next storytime will be Thursday at the Mercer County Public Library in Celina at 10:30 a.m.
