Our concerts for schools and families are specially created performances that introduce instruments of the orchestra and classic favourites in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Each concert is themed and offers an educational element with facts and stories linking the musical pieces together.

This year, our concerts have been themed around the Elements of Nature.

We started the year with a Race to Space. Our little explorers and their grown-ups were taken on a journey into outer space, discovering music from Holst’s The Planets, as well as other extra-terrestrial musical worlds.

In June, our audiences joined teams Earth, Air, Fire and Water for a musical battle in The Battle of the Elements – a fun and imaginative interaction between consideration of the natural world and music. The parade of music included Handel’s Water Music, Saint-Saens’ Fossils, Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs and Van Gelis Chariots of Fire amongst others.

We look forward to welcoming schools and families back into the Stoller Hall for our Autumn production Professor Lightbulb’s Marvellous Inventions. Our environment, science and development are never far from our media and public discussion. Join musicians from the Stoller Hall Outreach ensemble and be inspired by music, discovering some amazing inventions along the way. This performance will also mark the end of our ‘Great Inventions of the last 50 years’ project that has seen children in 10 schools, one in each of Greater Manchester boroughs, exploring ideas and creating new resources guided by the inspiring and energetic workshop leader Sarah Atter.

Infusing children and their grown-ups’ with live music is at the heart of what we do. This year, we’ve already had over 1000 primary school pupils through for our concerts. We can’t wait to welcome our doors in Autumn!

“They are making it funny!” and “I enjoyed it because you could join in” – primary school pupils

“It was a great opportunity for our children to see orchestral instruments being played live as many will never get this chance.” – primary school teacher

“I just wanted to send a huge thank you for the concert experience that our Year 3 children had today. It was a fabulous experience and the children learned so much and had a wonderful time. Please extend our thanks to the funding provider – these experiences mean the world to a school like ours.” Head Teacher – St Bernards RC Primary School

“This was great, kids loved it, but I’m their grandma and never listened to classical music as I thought it would be boring, it’s changed my mind so what a result 😊” – anonymous

“The whole family enjoyed the experience and I was impressed with the organisation, helpful staff and facilities. Some of the pieces we heard are now on my child’s playlist. If anything, I would have preferred to hear even more music in the show, the musicians were mesmerising.” – anonymous

Previous schools and family concerts include:
Britain’s Got Kings
A dinosaur Adventure
Sound Sums
Shoes
Sound experiment
Sports Day!
A voyage through the orchestra

We are grateful to all our funders and supporters. For more info visit outreach.chethams.com/our-partners