Neil Butterworth presents his selection of musical treats for young listeners - and players. After a very successful season last year, the Children’s Classic Concerts begin again this autumn in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Usher Hall, Edinburgh. After each performance, children will have the opportunity of meeting the presenter, conductor and members of the orchestra.
* Conjure me a concert (Glasgow, October 5; Edinburgh, October 6). The ebullient Atarah Ben-Tovim presents an afternoon of musical magic, while Robert Dean conducts the Scottish Opera Orchestra in popular favourites which are included on a specially recorded compact disc.
* Sing a song of classics (Glasgow, November 17). Audience participation is on offer in Christopher Bell’s programme with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Chorus.
* Fascinating rhythm (Glasgow, December 8). Children are invited to bring a baton to learn how to conduct.
* Draw that tune (Glasgow, February 8; Edinburgh, February 9). BBC Radio 2‘s Ken Bruce introduces a new approach to music. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra conducted by Simon Halsey will perform music from the Walt Disney film Fantasia, and children in the audience will be asked to submit a picture inspired by it, with prizes for different age groups.
* Crescendo tutti (Glasgow, March 15; Edinburgh, March 16). Atarah Ben-Tovim returns for the last concert of the season, to which all children may bring an instrument and join in playing with the orchestra. Works include the 1812 Overture and Maxwell Davies’s Orkney Wedding and Sunrise, in what promises to be a musically colourful event.
Further information from the concert halls or the Children’s Music Foundation in Scotland, 537 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G3 7PQ, tel: 0141 248 1611.
