Donald Grant and Catriona McKay present a schools' concert of folk music from across the globe. Whilst firmly rooted in the Scottish tradtion, Catriona and Donald's repertoire also includes polskas from Sweden, gypsy dances from Hungary, Choro from Brazil and many more! The audience will be entertained and inspired by the energy and virtuosity of this young duo, one of Sctoland's hottest exports. Come along to sing some tunes and stamp your feet.

This cross curricular performance is suitable for Key Stage 1 and 2, including plenty of audience participation. The concert will last approximately one hour and is aimed at 6-11 year olds. For a teachers' pack and more information contact Polly Ives on 0114 281 4660, email polly@musicintheround.co.uk or visit our website at www.musicintheround.co.uk

"[Donald] will have you dancing in the aisles" The Scotsman

"Catriona McKay is a harper of the 21st Century" The Herald

An hour of musical entertainment for children and families to usher in the Christmas season, with more than a little help from the percussion section! ‘Rhythm is our Business’ explores the power of rhythm and the fusion of jazz and classical styles, with Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, Bernstein’s West Side Story and Brubeck’s Take Five leading the way.

Find your Instrument 12pm
After the concert, a selection of string and percussion instruments will be available to ‘try out’, under the expert guidance of Emerald Ensemble players.

Recommended age: 6+
Running time: one hour without interval

A special musical version of Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen is the highlight of this Christmas cracker of a concert which features seasonal favourites by Strauss, Rimsky-Korsakov and Offenbach. Besides a lively Sleigh Ride for Santa, a Christmas Feather Dance and audience carols there is a presentation by some of the outstanding young prodigies from the Yehundi Menuhin School.

Conductor Darrell Davison
Organ Ian le Grice
Croydon Symphony Orchestra

Step into a Winter Wonderland with the Philharmonia Orchestra players as they guide you through festive favourites in a fun, interactive concert for all the family. With free craft and percussion workshops taking place before the concert at 10.15am and 11am, and free-for-all craft activities from 10.15am, there's something for everyone. Why not get into the holiday spirit early and come dressed as a snowman, angel or even a jolly Santa?

Christopher Bell conductor/presenter
Treble to be announced

Light-hearted and jolly festive music for a family audience, plus

Howard Blake The Snowman
featuring Walking in the Air

The Snowman

Raymond Briggs’s captivating film has established itself as part of the Christmas festivities.
Howard Blake’s score is played live by the Ulster Orchestra and this magical one-hour event is designed for all the family.
Suitable for young children, from three years of age, this is an opportunity for the whole family to share the experience of an orchestra in full flow under the guidance of Christopher Bell.
Bring your jingle bells, wear your fancy dress, and make sure you book early!

The RTWSO's Christmas concert will delight all the family. The orchestral programme begins with Humperdinck's overture to his first opera, Hansel and Gretel, based on the fairy story by the Brothers Grimm. Influenced by Brahms and Wagner, the richly scored music captures the shadowy world of unknown menace.

The concert continues with Prokofiev's classic symphonic fairy tale about brave Peter and his pursuit of the hungry wolf, aided by his friends the cat, the bird and the duck. As the delightful story unfolds, the animals are characterised by different instruments of the orchestra including the grumpy tone of a bassoon for Peter's grandfather and a quacky oboe for the unfortunate duck. Local actress Jennie Goossens, who is the daughter of the oboist Leon Goossens, will perform the role of narrator.

Among British composers, Coates is a national treasure in the tradition of polished melodic light music started by Sir Arthur Sullivan. You can enjoy the syncopated dance band idiom of the 1920s in the bear trot of his phantasy based on the fairy story of Goldilocks and The Three Bears.

Britten conceived his Simple Symphony from childhood pieces and the music for strings is both direct and playful. It provides a strong contrast in the programme to Khatchaturian's tempestuous Adagio, originally from a 1954 ballet, although known to millions as the theme tune from 'The Onedin Line'.

The RTWSO's concert finishes with A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson which is a heart-warming medley of nine traditional carols. His seasonal classic captures the spirit of Christmas in a musical mix sprinkled with good cheer and offering a crackling start to your celebrations.

This family Christmas concert is sponsored by The Friends of The Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra.

Curious about all types of music?

This is your chance to find out about chamber music played by really great musicians -

and it won't cost you anything!

Relaxing atmosphere, interactive music and fun for both children (age 6 +) and parents.

Come early - it fills up quickly.

'Tis the season to be jolly with this concert of festive music and children's popular songs. This interactive concert is designed especially for 3-5 year olds and their families, with CBSO musicians, lasting around 45 minutes. There are two concerts on this day, one at 11am and one at 2pm.

A zany action-packed musical story for children aged 2-7 about facing fears and making friends!

Being a mountain goat is no fun when you are scared of heights! Stand poor Giddy on a mountain ledge and his head starts spinning and his knees turn to jelly.

Commissioned for Ensemble 360 and Polly Ives (narrator), this action-packed musical story written by Jamie Rix and Lynne Chapman, and set to music by well renowned Scottish composer Paul Rissmann includes a game of rock rounders, a musical mutton, a clambering clarinet and a baa-ing bassoon.

The concert lasts 45 minutes and includes an interactive introduction to the musicians and their instruments. Before the concert there will be the chance to meet the musicians, hear the instruments up close buy signed copies of the book and join in a range of colouring and creative activities.

Following the concert there will be free mince pies and orange juice in the foyer.

VARIETY CLUB CELEBRITY CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT 2008
(Friday, 12th, December: Southwark Cathedral)

TV and radio celebrities, an internationally famous symphony orchestra and finalists in the “Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year” 2008 competition will give everyone in striking distance of Southwark Cathedral on Friday 12th December the opportunity to be part of a very special carol concert – the perfect way to start the Christmas season, and a wonderful family night out. Tickets are selling fast!

The celebrities taking part will include Holby City’s Robert Powell, Dalziel and Pascoe’s Colin Buchanan, Watchdog’s and Radio 5 Live’s Nicky Campbell, the legendary gospel singer Patti Boulaye and, Steffan Rhys Hughes, one of Wales’ brightest young singing stars.

Between Southwark’s own Southbank Sinfonia and the Twyford Gospel Choir, almost 100 top class musicians will fill the Cathedral with the most magnificent sound – and it’s not often you get a chance to sing along to accompaniment like that!

Rod Natkiel, Event Chairman said:
“This will be a wonderful heart-warming opportunity to celebrate and get the spirit of Christmas in this beautiful setting. More importantly, the Candle-lit concert will raise vital funds for the many thousands of children and young people that Variety supports throughout the U.K.”

Over 100 children and young people that Variety Club regularly supports will also be in attendance.

Tickets for the evening start from £25 for adults and £20 for adults with children, and are available to all the general public. A VIP celebrity reception with mulled wine and mince pies after the concert will also take place.

Join members of the inspirational Aurora Orchestra as they come together for this interactive Christmas family concert with seasonal tunes and storytelling too, plus a very special performance of a new wintery Wigmore commission, written by composer John Webb, writer Leah Thorn and children from local primary schools.

Saturday 13th December 2008 - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Sunday 14th December 2008 - Queen's Hall, Edinburgh

Start your seasonal celebrations with a bang as Owen and Olly leap into action to take you on a sensational sleigh ride. The dynamic duo will be acting as Santa’s little helpers and handing out musical treats galore as well as getting up to some high jinks of their own. Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy as you have never seen her before (is she supposed to have hairy legs?). Pop some Champagne corks, sing along with Rudolph or go all balletic as Owen and Olly take you through some fancy footwork.

The Orchestra of Scottish Opera (Glasgow)
The Classic Concerts Orchestra (Edinburgh)
Conducted by Julian Clayton
Presented by Owen Gunnell and Oliver Cox

More details on our website

Members of Chiltern Camerata will be providing the musical entertainment at the High Wycombe Museum at their Festive Fun: Edwardian Christmas event on Sunday 14th December
from 2 - 4 pm.

Do come along and join in the festive activities at the Museum. Listen to traditional music as you enjoy festive refreshments. Create some traditional Edwardian-style Christmas decorations for your own home.

Free drop-in !!

High Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe HP13 6PX
Phone 01494 421895

Web: www.wycombe.gov.uk/sitePages.asp?step=4&contentID=187&categoryID=1482

If you love singing and you’d enjoy learning some new Christmas songs as well as singing some familiar favourites, why not join us for the RCM Sparks Christmas Sing? Professional workshop leaders supported by RCM students will lead the festive fun, followed by mulled wine, mince pies & a presentation of the day’s work in Holy Trinity Church, South Kensington, which will include some special performances from up & coming RCM vocalists. Everyone is welcome, from keen singers to families who would like to have a go for the first time. A day that promises to be the perfect start to your festive season!

Christmas is such a magical time and, with help from the mischievous pixies of the Hallé, the Hallé Children's Choir and their enthusiastic conductor Ewa Strusinska, the captivating presenter Alasdair Malloy will get your celebrations off to a cracking start!

Each delightful piece captures a glimpse of Christmases past and present as we take A Fairytale Sleighride to the Magical Toyshop. Mix all this together with a good quaff of Christmas cheer, some suitably sparkling surprises and top with a sprinkling of fairy dust and you have yourself a truly magical Christmas.

Why not come as your favourite Christmas or magical character? Remember to bring your sleighbells!

Ewa Strusinska - conductor
Alasdair Malloy - presenter
Hallé Children's Choir

The RSNO's annual Christmas celebration, perfect for all the family!

A celebration of Christmas classics, singalong carols and, of course, the magical family film The Snowman.

16th December Caird Hall, Dundee, 7.30 pm
17th December Music Hall, Aberdeen, 7.30 pm
20th December Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 3 pm and 7.30 pm

picture credit: Snowman Enterprises Ltd

As part of the Spitalfields Winter Festival join the English Baroque Soloists, conducted by John Eliot Gardiner for a chance to hear brass fanfares, individual instruments, to sing along and to meet the conductor and ensemble. This interactive event is for primary schools and anyone who wants to find out more about the world of Bach and friends.

Following our three sell out performances last Christmas, AND by public demand, Frosty The Snowman brings another entertaining family selection box of
Christmas songs and music led by local school choirs. With the help of songsheets, YOU the audience have the chance to join in the fun as well! Our NEW programme includes The Most Wonderful Time of The Year, Happy Holidays, and Slade's So Here it is, Merry Christmas, Everybody's Having Fun! alongside Frosty The Snowman, When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney, Let it Snow, and even more Disney and TV/Film favourites!

Why not bring along your homemade (or real!) sleigh bells for another musical Sleigh ride and Jingle Bells, or come dressed as your favourite Christmas character too?

Christmas is coming and if it's cold outside, here in the Hall we've got a festive show to melt the iciest of hearts. When Howard Blake saw a short animated film of Raymond Brigg's The Snowman he knew he had to compose some music for it and audiences have been 'walking in the air' ever since. Its heart-warming 1998 companion The Bear includes the hit Somewhere A Star Shines For Everyone. Narrator Russell Boulter, star of The Bill and Waking the Dead, shines brightly alongisde the Bath Philharmonia in a concert that puts the cool in Yule.

Boys like Peter are not afraid of wolves...

Get your Christmas off to a perfect start with this classic wintry tale.

A grumpy grandfather, a deep dark Russian forest, a fat and evil cat, a high-spirited duck, a squawky bird, a lonely boy and a sleek and sly WOLF with piercing blue eyes.

The much-loved tale of Peter and the Wolf has captured the hearts of children all over the world, enchanting them with its power and sense of fun. This fantastical Oscar-winning animated film version of this classic work, set to an enchanting score played live by the Emerald Ensemble, will delight a whole new audience: this Peter should make lots of little wolf-cubs very content.

Recommended age: 6+

‘Wonderfully exciting adventures, thrillingly beautiful animation.’ THE SUNDAY TIMES