Here’s the opportunity to introduce children to the wonders of the orchestra.
There’s fun for all the family with the CBSO as it launches its Family-friendly concerts season this weekend. No-one forgets the first time they ever heard a live orchestra and this suite of concerts, aimed at children aged 2-12 years, is intended to make that moment special for parents and children alike.
The season comprises Family Concerts and Notelets. Family Concerts take place at Symphony Hall, Birmingham and are specially devised for the young and young-at-heart, full of audience participation and led by presenters taking you on a whistle stop tour of the orchestra. There are also free workshops in the foyer from 1pm.
Notelets take place in the friendly surroundings of CBSO Centre and are toddler-friendly mini concerts especially designed for the under fivess. The orchestra and music are brought down to a friendly size for audiences who aren’t quite big enough yet for Symphony Hall. Additionally, your little ones can indulge in free craft activities an hour before each concert and afterwards there is a chance to meet the musicians and see the instruments close-up.
The season starts with an array of looney tunes, silly symphonies and merry melodies with the Family Concert: Cartoon Classics this Sunday, 26th October at 2.30pm. If you and your family are a fan of The Simpsons, The Incredibles or Bugs Bunny, you will probably recognise a lot of the music in this one-hour concert. Well-known classics including The sorcerer’s Apprentice, William Tell Overture, Ride of the Valkyries, Blue Danube Waltz and many more are brought to life by Naomi Wilkinson of Channel 5’s Milkshake and CBBC and the 80 distinctly animated musicians of the CBSO.
Notelets: Christmas Crackers is a festive, 45-minute treat for the under 5s, with plenty of fun interaction and activity for fidgety feet. Join presenter Catherine Arlidge and members of the CBSO brass section for some musical treats bringing seasonal fun to this magical time of year. There will be five performances across Friday 5 and Saturday 6 December. There will be more Notelets concerts in 2015, check the CBSO website for further details.
Birmingham has been called ‘the world in one city’ and you can experience the music to prove it at the Family Concert: Around the World in 80 Minutes at Symphony Hall, Birmingham on Sunday 1 February 2015 at 2.30pm. This 120 minute concert, with interval, will be a lively afternoon concert for all ages as Presenter Alasdair Malloy, maestro Julian Wilkins, the CBSO Youth Chorus and the full City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra whisk you off on a whistle-stop musical world tour.
For concert details, ticket prices and booking information visit www.cbso.co.uk
