Teddy Concerts
" this outstanding professional orchestra gives the most original and exciting children`s concerts I have ever heard.
Relaxed and informal, its imaginative programming is brilliantly presented-the "DIY" conducting was a real hit with my two children and they loved the way the musicians walked through the audience too.
Way better than anything I have seen in Central London -a treat for the adults too!"
Helen Mansfield, Producer, BBC TV Classical Music
In established venues people have travelled across several counties to come to our "Teddy" concerts, which are a unique experience for all the family.
From our mailbag:
 |
"There aren't enough superlatives. Everyone was so thrilled and "wowed". One of my many memories of the day was turning up at 2.30 to set up the table for selling tickets for the 3pm Teddy concert and finding 30 people waiting at the door. The queue didn't end until 5 minutes after the concert began. It was overwhelming. We had 650 through our doors that day - and many, particularly for the Teddy concert, I had never seen before. It was a gift. " |
|
"The Teddy Bear concert was a real treat for children of all ages, and even for the adults! The atmosphere was relaxed and informal - asking the children to bring their teddy bears along is such a simple idea, and yet works effectively - especially the way that the teddies are woven into the concert. The whole thing was very participative - from the impactful start of the concerts with the violinists walking around the audience, to the DIY conductor piece, where children had the opportunity to conduct the orchestra themselves. A wonderful way to spend part of a Sunday afternoon, and a fun introduction to children to a live classical music concert." |
 |
 |
"A great day of fun and music for all the family. Many young people, not particularly into classical music, were enthralled with the programme. Gerard has a natural and embracing way of engaging with people of all persuasions and ages. We will definitely be inviting them next year ... and we expect another sell-out." |
The educational work of the KCO has been boosted of the years by a series of unexpected windfalls: many years ago, while Gerard was indulging his passion for ice-cream and antiques in a remote coastal town while on tour, he stumbled upon a long lost sea-side orchestral library from the 1930s in an upper room above an ice cream parlour (as one does). The owner passed it on for a song, and many of the library's hilarious numbers (amid more established classics) have enthralled children in our family concerts. On a 2nd occasion Gerard went to buy a handful of items from the library of a retiring conductor, only to be given the library (approximately 2 car loads full!).
