Children’s Education
A variety of interactive projects that are individually and innovatively tailored.
Education is at the heart of Orpheus’ passion from early years right up to our Foundation Programme, and ongoing through our ever inquisitive and accessible public concerts.
Orpheus Sinfonia are committed to providing invaluable musical experiences for children as well as adults. Our education work is expansive, and caters to children of all ages. Our flagship piece Fred and the Fantastic Tub-Tub, commissioned by Orpheus and written by James Marangone and Zeb Soanes, has proved particularly successful since its premiere in 2021, and we will continue to bring this heart-warming tale of adventure and environmental responsibility to schools into 2026. Also included in our various educational packages are interactive programmes, including The Snowman, Peter and the Wolf, Carnival of the Animals, The Story of Babar, and The Composer is Dead, as well as online video demonstrations, and accompanying materials for schools to introduce children to the instruments of the orchestra in a fun, practical way.
Tub-Tub
Inspired by a determination to increase the engagement and availability of accessible children’s works, Fred and the Fantastic Tub-Tub has been collaboratively written by author and Classic FM Presenter Zeb Soanes and composer James Marangone.
The Snowman
The Snowman has truly become a family favourite since it was released as a film in 1982, and our live performance of Howard Blakes’s mesmerising score accompanying the film captivates both children and adults alike. Our performance of the piece is preceded by an interactive introduction to the instruments of the orchestra, as well as some of the main themes that can be heard in the music.
Peter and the Wolf
Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf is one of the most popular stories ever to be put to music. In this interactive performance, each character, represented by one of the instruments of the orchestra, is introduced to the audience before the piece is performed in its entirety. The piece can be performed with the Academy Award-winning 2006 animated film, or with a live narrator.
Babar/Carnival
Other interactive programmes that we offer include Francis Poulenc’s The Story of Babar, which tells the story of the playful elephant Babar through live orchestra and narrator, and Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals, another favourite that paints the picture of a vast array of animals through imaginative thematic writing.
The Composer is Dead
The Composer is Dead combines narration, drama, and music. With text taken from the book of the same name by Lemony Snicket, author of the hugely popular book series A Series of Unfortunate Events, and music by American composer Nathaniel Stookey, the piece takes children on a murder mystery tour of an orchestra, introducing them to the various instruments along the way.
Education Packs
As part of our continued dedication to nurturing the musicians of tomorrow, we have created extensive cross-curricular education packs for both The Snowman and Peter and the Wolf, as well as Fred and the Fantastic Tub-Tub. These are a fantastic introduction for children to the story of each piece, the various musical themes, and some of the sounds that they will hear in each performance. They integrate fully into KS1 and KS2 curriculums and work plans, as well as presenting stand alone activities.
Petting Zoo
Presenting a first introduction to making sound and musical instruments, our travelling petting zoo offers children the opportunity to try out instruments themselves. Guided by our Orpheus musicians children get making sound and discovering the endless possibilities music making can bring them.
Side-by-side
One of the most impactful ways for children to experience all we have to offer is to be right in the heart of the orchestra. And we do just this with side-by-side projects where our musicians sit in amongst youth performers to deliver a real-time musical and educational experience. We are delighted to have partnered with Ealing Youth Orchestra in recent times, delivering highly successful side-by-side projects.