New initiative aims to give children and youth free access to musical instruments before select August concerts in Del Crary Park
PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — Peterborough Musicfest is expanding its community outreach with the launch of First Note, a free interactive music program designed to introduce children and youth to musical instruments ahead of select concerts at Del Crary Park throughout August.
The initiative, which begins on Saturday, August 1, will provide young participants with an opportunity to explore and play a variety of instruments in a welcoming, hands-on environment before attending live performances on the Fred Anderson Stage. Organizers say the program is intended to remove barriers to music participation by eliminating the need for registration, formal lessons or previous musical experience.
The launch of First Note reflects Peterborough Musicfest’s broader mission of making music more accessible, extending its longstanding commitment to offering free concerts by creating opportunities for young people to experience making music themselves.
Community Partnerships Drive Music Accessibility
The new program has been made possible through financial support from the Peterborough Foundation, while musical instruments have been supplied by Long & McQuade Musical Instruments. Organizers say the collaboration demonstrates how local partnerships can help expand access to arts education and creative experiences for families across the region.
According to the organizers, First Note is designed as an informal drop-in activity where children and youth can experiment with different instruments, encouraging curiosity and creativity in a relaxed setting before enjoying an evening concert.
Shirl Delarue, Board Chair of the Peterborough Foundation, said the organization sees the initiative as an investment in young people and the community’s cultural future.
“The Peterborough Foundation is proud to partner with Peterborough Musicfest to help bring First Note to life,” said Shirl Delarue, Board Chair, Peterborough Foundation. “By creating free, hands-on music experiences for children and youth, this program removes barriers to participation and opens the door to creativity, confidence and the joy of making music. We’re excited to see the impact it will have in our community.”
The organizers say programs such as First Note can help foster confidence, creativity and a lifelong appreciation for music by providing children with opportunities they may not otherwise have through school or at home.
Musicfest Focuses on Inspiring the Next Generation
Peterborough Musicfest Executive Director Tracey Randall said the idea of creating more opportunities for children to interact with musical instruments has been discussed for years and is now becoming a reality through First Note.
“One of the things we’ve talked about for years is finding more ways to put instruments into children’s hands,” said Tracey Randall, Executive Director of Peterborough Musicfest. “Not every young person has the opportunity to explore music at school or at home, and sometimes all it takes is one experience to spark a lifelong passion. We often ask, ‘Where’s our next Serena Ryder?’ Maybe First Note is where that journey begins.”
Randall noted that even a single positive experience with an instrument can inspire a child’s long-term interest in music, making the program an important complement to the festival’s free live performances.
By allowing participants to experiment with instruments before attending concerts, organizers hope children will gain a deeper appreciation of live music while developing confidence to explore musical interests of their own.
Program Schedule and Participation Details
First Note will be offered before four Peterborough Musicfest concerts at Del Crary Park on the following dates:
- Saturday, August 1
- Wednesday, August 5
- Saturday, August 8
- Wednesday, August 12
The sessions will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. each evening.
Participation is free, and children and youth may drop in at any time during program hours. No advance registration or prior musical experience is required.
With the introduction of First Note, Peterborough Musicfest is broadening its role beyond presenting live entertainment by creating new opportunities for young people to engage directly with music. Through community collaboration and free access to instruments, the initiative aims to encourage the next generation of musicians while strengthening the region’s cultural landscape.