Pop-up fun music days will involve live events for adults and children of all ages, with opportunities to try out instruments and meet musicians.
Professional chamber orchestra Britten Sinfonia, which is based in Cambridge and performs across East Anglia as well as in London and internationally, starts the New Year at The Maltings in Ely on Friday 21st January with a new live music experience. Music on Your Doorstep is a series of ‘pop-up’ music events, bringing the orchestra’s musicians to market towns in the East of England for a day of live music, exploration and plenty of play for adults and children of all ages. Musicians will also visit local primary schools in the run up to each day, introducing pupils to instruments. The project is presented in partnership with Ely-based Babylon Arts.
Music on Your Doorstep is all about sharing live music and making it accessible and fun for everyone. On Friday 21st January, the day starts at 11am with the Pushchair Playlist, a playful and relaxed music experience for parents, carers and children aged 0-5. With seating on mats around the musicians, and a cup of tea and a slice of cake included in the £3 ticket price, this is a chance to sit back and enjoy 45 minutes of singing, playing, dancing and exploring.
During the afternoon the musicians will be heading into a local primary school for arts, crafts and a chance to find out about how instruments work. At 7.30pm, there’s a chance to hear a group of 7 performers – two violins, viola, cello, flute, clarinet and harp – in concert, with music by composers from 20th century France including Ravel and Debussy, plus Philip Glass and a new piece written specially for the events by award-winning young composer James B Wilson. Tickets for the evening concert, which include a drink within the ticket price, are £12.50*.
Creative Learning Manager and local Ely resident Rachel Wilkinson commented, “We are all so delighted to be launching this new series of music events in Ely, and to be working in partnership with Babylon Arts and The Maltings. Music on Your Doorstep is all about sharing the joy that our musicians feel about playing music live and in person. We’d love everyone in Ely, young and old, to feel welcome to pop in and meet us: relax with a cup of tea in the morning, or let us transport you to 1920s France with a glass of wine in the evening. We’ll be at Ely Market on 8th and 16th January too, so come and say hello if you’re out shopping and find out a bit more about Britten Sinfonia.”
Tickets are available via the Babylon Arts Box Office online (www.babylonarts.org.uk), by telephone on 01353 616991 and in person from the Babylon Gallery (both Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 4pm).
Music on Your Doorstep: Friday 21st January 2021, The Maltings, Ely
11am:
Pushchair Playlist
Hear the instruments, dance to the music and sing along.
A playful and relaxed music experience for parents, carers and children aged 0-5. Sit down, join us for a cup of tea and a biscuit (included in the ticket price), and enjoy 45 minutes of listening, playing, dancing and exploring.
Tickets: £3 per adult, children free
7.30pm: Concert
Jacqueline Shave violin/leader
Britten Sinfonia musicians
Relax with an hour of music from all around the world, performed by a group of musicians who have performed all around the world. The string players, flute player and harpist can’t wait to share their favourite music, and play a new piece by award-winning young composer James B Wilson, which was written specially for this event. Also includes music by Debussy, Ravel and Philip Glass.
Tickets: £10/£12.50/£15*, to include a free drink (glass of wine, beer or soft drink).
(*We love sharing the magic of live music and we want everyone in the community to feel able to join in if they want to. For some, money can be tight (especially in January), or they are used to paying concession prices for things. Others might be in a position to pay a little more to help support the musicians and their local venue. So… we’ve got different ticket prices depending on everyone’s situation: it’s a bit like an honesty box. We won’t ask any questions or ask for any proof – just choose the price that suits you best.)
Press release from Babylon ARTS
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