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NOTELETS (CBSO Centre)

18-12-2007

Want to get your pre-school kids interested in watching live music and finding out how sounds are made? Then you’ve come to the right place, reckons Stirrer editor Adrian Goldberg.

Notelets is a wonderful initiative by the CBSO’s education department aimed at getting tots to experience a concert atmosphere – without having to worry about grown-ups “shusshing” and telling them to sit down.

I went to the recent Christmas show with my three year old, and she was captivated by hearing live instruments at close quarters.

The players – drawn from the ranks of the CBSO – were respectful of the music but more than willing to enter the spirit of the event, and seemed unphased by the little ‘uns wandering around at the front.

There were a mixture of singalong carols and classical pieces like The Nutcracker – but all pureed down into easily digested two or three minute excerpts, so that the attention didn’t wander.

At an hour, the length was well-judged, but for kids with more enquiring minds there was a craft class beforehand (“make your own jingle bells”) and afterwards a short singing class.

The ‘before’ and ‘after’ events came at no added cost, and added up to a complete morning’s entertainment.

I thought it was top class, and my daughter – who is surely the best judge – can’t wait to go back. We’ll have to hurry though as these cracking shows usually sell out well in advance.