Concerts for Kids Summer 26
Happy Spring! This term’s newsletter covers us until the end of June, and has some appearances from some pretty hefty large scale symphonic works. Remember, if you feel fear in your heart bringing a child to a 45 minute symphony, you can ease the transition by listening together at home before you go and making sure you have some quiet activities with you in the concert. Reading something or drawing is a fantastic way to make things more approachable and encourage children to meet the music where they are. I’ve also tried to include some age-appropriate programme notes for younger children, so feel free to print them out and bring them with you, and remember you don’t have to stay for the whole concert. A small bit of a concert fully enjoyed is much better than a whole concert sat through with gritted teeth, so make it work for you. Most concert halls will have seating plans so you can choose a seat for an easy way out if you’re feeling apprehensive.
I plan to release a new edition for the summer, which will heavily feature music from the BBC proms and my tips and tricks to make the proms more approachable and enjoyable as well so hopefully lots of you can get out and enjoy some of the world’s best classical music in the heart of London.
In the mean time, hopefully you’ll find lots of fun stuff in here and I wish you many hours of fun in the springtime sun with your family!
April
22/04/26, 19.30 - Royal Festival Hall
Heavy metal fans are sure to enjoy this smorgasbord of epic music, from Shostakovich to Motor Head and everything in between. This is a great one for kids who like LOUD music because it’s also a lot of short pieces so book a seat in an accessible spot and if it all gets too much you can just pop out and go home! (Run time approx 2 hours, ages 7+)
22/04/26, 19.30 - Barbican Hall
And if heavy metal isn’t for you, may I suggest something at the opposite end of the decibel scale? Folk duo The Breath team up with Paraorchestra to bring you an evening of music described as “lush, unpredictable, and emotionally resonant.”. Sounds good to me. (No run time specified)
25/04/26, all day - Roundhouse Camden
Mercury prize winning band leader Femi Koleoso has put together a whole day of free music, talks, workshops and activities for the whole family. If you’re free an nearby this will be a great time, including a chance for people to play drums with Femi (bandleader for Ezra Collective, if you don’t know them, get to know!). This runs all day starting at 12 and is totally free, but there’s more info on the event page.
30/04/26, doors 19.00 - Koko
Nubiyan Twist is one of my favourite British jazz acts at the moment, and their new album just released. This gig is more for older young musicians (as well as younger old musicians!) but will be a great one for anyone interested in afro-beat infused, groove based jazz. (ends 11pm, 14+ only, 14/15 with adult accompaniment).
May
10/05/26, 19.00 - Barbican Hall
LSO and Antonio Pappano play one of my favourite symphonies of all time - Tchaikovsky’s 6th (programme notes here). This is a heart rending piece of music and has boatloads of brilliant brass in it so this is a good one for the orchestral brass enthusiast in your life. The rest of the programme is excellently matched, with Bernstein’s Age of Anxiety and Britten’s Sinfonia Da Requiem, but of course you could jut arrive to watch the symphony. (Run time 2hours 20mins with interval, arrive 20.15 to watch the symphony)
13/05/26, doors 19.30 - Koko
Stevie Wonder is turning 76 and to celebrate Koko is putting on a night full of Stevie love including a live performance from the Wonderband as well as rare archive footage. Bring your dancing shoes. (14+ only, 14/15 with adult accompaniment).
20/05/26, 18.30 - Barbican Hall
I love the concept of the LSO’s Half Six Fix - a symphony played in isolation at an early start time with introductions from the performers, and this one featuring Mahler’s Fourth Symphony is no exception. This is a brilliant one to bring your kids to after school but still be home for bed time! (Run time one hour)
22/05/26, 19.30 - Royal Albert Hall
Charlie Mackesy is the author and illustrator of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse and this evening of stories and music at the RAH brings us closer than ever to his beautiful and life affirming art. RAH says "Ticket holders are encouraged to bring drawing materials to this show. Please ensure these are dry materials – no ink / paint or similar permitted.” so this really is one for the little artists in your house! (no run time specified unfortunately)
27/05/26, 19.30 - Cadogan Hall
The Royal Philharmonic plays Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue alongside Bartok’s Concerto for Orchestra. If you are a parent of a child in Haringey Young Musicians, the symphony orchestra played Rhapsody in Blue at our end of term concert last term, and playing a piece is a fantastic way of getting your teeth into it so you can enjoy it even more in concert. It’s likely that the Gershwin will be in the first half so if you watch that and want to go home before the Bartok that is always an option. (Run time approx 2hrs including a 20 minute interval.)
27 and 28/05/26 - Royal Festival Hall
The Philharmonia has designed a virtual play along experience for all ages where anyone can come along and put on a headset and “play” along with the orchestra. I have no idea what this will be like to be honest but it could be a cool way for budding musicians to see what it’s like to be in the middle of one of the world’s top orchestras. No instrument/musical experience necessary, no ticket required!
30/05/26, 19.30 - Royal Festival Hall
The music of two of the world’s most eminent film composers goes head to head in this Zimmer vs Williams tour de force. The programme includes music from Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Harry Potter, E.T., Gladiator, The Adventures of Tin Tin & War Horse. This is sure to be a heavy hitter. (Run time approx 2hrs 30mins)
June
06/06/26, 20.00 - Royal Festival Hall
Part of the Royal Festival Hall’s Game Music Festival,this concert brings us the music of the Diablo series with the London Mozart Players and a huge choir. I’ll leave it to you to make sure you’re comfortable with the themes of the game but the music is definitely epic. (Run time approx 2 hours, ages 7+)
07/06/26, 19.00 - Barbican Hall
LSO On Film - Blockbusters presents a selection of the biggest film scores of all time, all of them originally recorded by the LSO. Take a look at the programme if you need any further encouragement. This is a great one for wigglier audience members as it’s lots of short pieces so helps to keep everyone engaged (no run time specified)
10/06/26, 19.00 - Royal Festival Hall
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment play a double bill of Berlioz’s symphonies, with the second half being Symphonie Fantastique (a personal favourite). The first half will be Harold En Italie which has a huge viola feature, but as always feel free to arrive after that to enjoy the second half only. Symphonie Fantastique features on the AQA GCSE music syllabus and is a textbook example of romantic musical indulgence. Here is a page with some interesting info aimed at KS2 if you want some info before you go. (Run time 2hrs 5 mins approx, arrive around 19.45 to just see the second half).
10/06/26, 19.30 - Cadogan Hall
The Royal Philharmonic plays Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony alongside Joe Hisaishi’s Encounter for String Orchestra and Britten’s violin concerto. Joe Hisaishi is the composer of almost all the music for Studio Ghibli films (such as Totoro, Spirited Away and many more). Tchaikovsky’s 5th symphony is a piece I played in NYO and lives on as a favourite musical memory of mine. I would highly recommend it if you have a child who likes orchestral playing. Here are some programme notes to get you started, found on page 5 of the PDF. (Run time 2hrs including 20 mins interval, arrive at 20.15 for the symphony)
12/06/26, doors 19.30 - Roundhouse Camden
Ibrahim Maalouf brings his unique fusion of jazz, classical and arabic influences to Camden’s roundhouse. A trumpeter and trailblazer of new flavours of jazz, this is part of a tour to celebrate the release of Trumpets of Michel-Ange. (ends 11pm, Under-16s to be accompanied by an adult, under-14s to be accompanied by an adult and in seated areas only)
28/06/26, doors 19.00 - Koko
Batiste plays his own compositions from the brilliant Pixar movie Soul. I loved this movie (hello cartoon trombone girl) and I think anyone who has ever learned an instrument and fallen in love would enjoy it too. The music in the film is great, and I’m sure this gig will be too. (ends 11pm, 14+only, 14/15 accompanied by an adult).
30/06/26, 19.30 - Royal Albert Hall
Jeff Goldblum and The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra are coming to the RAH to play selections from Jeff’s new album “Night Blooms”, with featured artists including Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo and Melody Gardot. (I cannot promise these people will actually be at the concert but who knows?!). This seems like it will be a great evening and is sure to be entertaining for all the family. I’m gutted I can’t make it myself! (no run time specified)
