The human voice, in all its colour, virtuosity and daring is the focus of Birmingham Contemporary Music Group’s annual day of Family Concerts at the CBSO Centre, Birmingham.

The concerts are for children aged seven+ and their parents, and their aim is to introduce contemporary music in a refreshingly direct way, completely re-inventing the traditional idea of the concert. Since their inception, the concerts have won widespread praise for their playful and fearless presentation, introducing their young audiences to today’s iconic composers from Birtwistle to Zenakis.

Conducted and introduced by BCMG’s newly appointed Artist-in-Association, Peter Wiegold, and including animated visuals and impovised interventions, the January 17 concerts feature the World Première of English Folk Songs: From Eleanor to Sweet William, a new song cycle for voice and chamber ensemble by Errollyn Wallen. The new work is a companion-piece to Luciano Berio’s Folk Songs which whirls its listeners around the world.

The programme also features Oliver Knussen’s engaging Hums & Songs of Winnie the Pooh, and Cathy Berberian’s idiosyncratic and cartoon-like Stripsody and a feast of miniatures for solo instruments by John Woolrich, Peter Wiegold and Matthew Sergeant.

Soloists are soprano Eileen Hulse and mezzo-soprano Loré Lixenberg.

We hope you'll join us at this very popular annual concert, which has music for all the family.
Whether you enjoy football or rugby, ice dancing or the full Olympic experience, you can indulge your passion in this year's concert which brings you music with a sporting theme.
Highlights include Ravel's Bolero, Nessun Dorma, the Rugby World Cup Theme (Jupiter from The Planets), music from Chariots of Fire, and the Olympic Fanfare and Theme by John Williams.
Celebrity Presenter:- Matt Baker.

The Tudor Dynasty
‘Crowns, Castles, Paupers and Poverty’ (The Tudor Credit Crunch!)
Music, Dance, Drama and Craft for 7-11 year olds
ADVANCE BOOKING ONLY

The Tudor Age saw England transformed from a medieval kingdom into an emerging modern state, on the brink of becoming a major world power. It was an era of enterprise and opportunity, a time when the humble man on the street could achieve greatness and glory. However, it was also an age in which the gap between the rich and the poor widened greatly; prices increased much more quickly than wages leading to widespread poverty, beggars roaming the country and an increase in crime and punishment.

Join the Tudors in a building that survived their reign. Spend a day in Tudor England...become a King, a Lord of the Manor, a poor street urchin... or be hanged as a witch & much more! Discover the things that the books DON’T tell you!

The day concludes with a performance of ‘Crowns, Castles, Paupers and Poverty, starting with a procession from Castle Green. This is an excellent chance for youngsters aged 7-11 to combine learning with lots of fun. We encourage participants to perform some of the dances they have learned during the day at the evening concert held in St Mary de Castro Church. Please apply when booking.

For further details and booking form please go to our website.