Crescendo Concerts / Music for Miniatures
Type Of Organisation: Orchestra
About
Crescendo Concerts is part of Music for Miniatures CIC and provides opportunities for children and their families to hear high quality live music. We believe that access to live music is incredibly important for children of any age, so they can be inspired to learn and become musicians of the future. We want to inspire and educate the next generation so they grow up knowing what an oboe looks and sounds like, why the bassoon is amazing and why the french horn is so cool. Crescendo Concerts are passionate about bringing live music into schools so that more children can experience the highest quality live classical music.
We bring inspiring live music to schools across the UK in 3 strands:
- our interactive and engaging concerts performed by professional musicians – these include instrument demos, audience participation and plenty of fun!
- our theatrical chamber music touring productions which combine story telling and amazing live music.
- workshops and creative music making, linking music to many curriculum areas
We also give a wide range of public concerts for families to enjoy. Music for Miniatures concerts consist of short pieces that vary in style but are appealing to babies and toddlers whilst Crescendo Concerts have a much more interactive element and introduce children to the instruments in an engaging and inspiring way.
We aim to expand to cover more rural areas where there is limited access to the arts and deliver more multi-art form projects alongside our regular concerts www.musicforminiatures.co.uk www.crescendoconcerts.co.uk
What I / we help young people achieve
Crescendo Concerts aims to light a spark in children and inspire them to become musicians of the future. All schools we have visited have commented on what an impact our performances have had on the school and children - be it from listening to different music in the classroom or taking up an instrument. We encourage emotional responses to the music we perform and this can have a profound effect on children.
Opportunities for children & young people
- To create / write music and / or lyrics
- To play, perform music with others
- To learn things about oneself , other subjects or life-skills through musical activity
- To work with and support other young musicians
- To develop their wellbeing
Times
- Term Time
- After School
- Weekends
- School Holidays
- Project based
- Seasonal
- Drop in
Working with special needs
All our performances can be tailored for children and young people with special educational needs.
Ages Taught
- 4 and under
- 5-6
- 7-10
- 11-13
- 14-15
- 16+
Musical Clusters Covered
- Chippenham
- B-on-A / Corsham
- Calne & Melksham
- Trowbridge (CSL)
- Salisbury / Wilton
- Marlborough & Pewsey
- Downton
- Malmesbury / WB / Purton
- Amesbury
- Devizes
- Warminster
- Westbury
- Mere & Tisbury
- Tidworth
Endorsements
“To have the opportunity to share with the children such a skilfully crafted and beautifully executed performance was really special.
The musicianship was outstanding and the arrangements were playful and accessible. The children were able to engage with the music without it distracting from the acting – in fact the music, acting and story-telling complemented and enhanced each other perfectly. Hearing a live orchestra playing in our own school hall was wonderful for the children.
The quality of the music was matched by the acting. The poems were expertly performed ‘in the round’ by the small team of actors who brought Roald Dahl’s characters to life with fun and dynamic performances woven together with passages of skilful story-telling.
In addition to this, the children had the valuable opportunity to learn more about each of the orchestral instruments being used in informal and interactive sessions between the scenes. This carefully managed blend of music, audience interaction, surprises, poignant moments and belly-laughs ensured that every child (and adult) remained under the performers’ spell throughout. In a word: magical!”
Headteacher, St Stephen’s School
“What a fantastic production! All 80 pupils from the youngest Reception child to Year 5 & 6 roared with laughter and were totally entranced by the dynamic music and acting.
What a clever use of space, props and engagement with the audience. The children were totally immersed in this high quality experience and it was sheer delight to see their faces.
For many children this was a unique opportunity to be involved and exposed to classical music of a professional quality. A fantastic way to enrich our wider curriculum.”
Headteacher, Ubley Primary School
“For some of our children with more complex needs, the music alone was truly wonderful. These children do not often appear to focus on, or attend to, what is happening visually but, as we know, music fulfils many emotional and physical / sensory needs as well as being a real aid to communication for these children.”
Teacher -Larkrise Special School
Our Training & Development
- As performers, our musicians are constantly training and learning. Whether it is learning a new skill such as puppeteering as well as playing their own instrument, or learning acting skills, our musicians are developing themselves all the time
- All our musicians are teachers as well and so take part in CPD for the other organisations they work for
- New projects always require new skills and we train our musicians to deliver projects by learning from each other.
- Rehearsals together form a critical part of our CPD when working on a new performance. Skills are always transferred.