YOUTH GROUP TOUR OPTIONS

“MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND ANIMAL ART OF ASIA” TOUR

(Best for ages 5 ‒8, customizable for age group)
Spark the interest of younger children and explore the musical instruments found in Asia. Each instrument on the tour resembles an animal. A variety of animals are represented, including the crocodile and a mythical dragon. By looking at interesting materials, colors, shapes, and the different ways that instruments make sounds, students recognize that animals are found in many of the decorations of musical instruments in Asia. This tour includes a drumming circle, hands-on music-making opportunities in the Experience Gallery, and read-aloud storytelling.

LIMITED TIME ONLY! STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) GUIDED TOUR AND DRUMMING ACTIVITY

(Best for ages 8‒18, customizable for age group)
Available January–March 2013
The Musical Instrument Museum is pleased to announce special STEAM tours and drumming activities available for a limited time. This exciting “trip around the world” highlights countries and musical instruments from all over the globe, incorporating STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) themes. During the docent-led tour, students will learn about the materials used to make musical instruments, the way musical instruments are classified, and the science behind sound. Children will also participate in an educational drumming activity, in which they will experience firsthand how different materials and playing techniques produce varying sounds. Children will be encouraged to experiment with diverse sounds, as each group plays instruments in the hands-on Experience Gallery. This tour also includes the use of MIM’s state-of-the-art Guideport audio/video technology to explore MIM’s exhibits. Content and curriculum align with Arizona State Standards in science, social studies, and music education.

NEW STOPS ADDED! COMPASS GUIDED TOUR

(Best for ages 8‒18, customizable for age group)
Led by docents, this exciting “trip around the world” offers an in-depth look at fourteen different exhibits, highlighting countries and musical cultures in all five of MIM’s major Geographical Galleries. Students are introduced to the diversity of the world’s musical traditions, from an Indonesian gong workshop to a re-created workshop featuring Martin acoustic guitars. Students learn ways that instruments have changed over time, as humans move around the globe and interact with each other.

DISCOVERY SEMI-GUIDED TOUR

(Best for ages 8‒18, customizable for age group)
The perfect combination of free-learning choices and docent-led tours, children select the exhibits they want to explore in all five of MIM’s major Geographical Galleries guided by docents and group discussions. With the help of their teachers and chaperones, students work in small teams using a scavenger-hunt worksheet as they observe the similarities and differences among the world’s musical instruments and the impact that culture and environment have had on their development.

“FEEL-THE-MUSIC” CART TOUR

(Best for ages 8‒18, customizable for age group)
This new tour offers the freedom of self-directed learning along with six special hands-on opportunities within the structure of a semi-guided tour experience. Each gallery will include a “cart stop” focusing on an instrument, an outfit, and/or other materials that will illustrate tour concepts and help to bring the MIM world to life. Trained docents will demonstrate a featured instrument, share “talking point” information, and facilitate a hands-on experience for children. Carts will display instruments, costume samples, and other items that will exemplify the tour concepts.

TRAILBLAZER SELF-GUIDED TOUR

(Ages 4‒18, customizable for age group)
With the help of MIM’s curriculum and supporting materials, teachers and chaperones lead their students through MIM’s five major Geographical Galleries. This tour focuses on learning more about the world’s people, places, and musical traditions. The Experience Gallery is a must-see stop along the trek, as children can examine and play a variety of instruments similar to those they see in the gallery.

*Tour content and policies are subject to change.