Concerteenies

Concerteenies, founded in 2017 by Polly Ives, presents quality musical experiences for children aged 0-5 in early years settings (nurseries, schools, childminders), at home (with their siblings and extended family) and with their local community (through local venues and care homes).

Concerts

Concerteenies presents a range of concert experiences including Relaxation concerts for pre-crawlers and new parents, Story Concerts for 3-5 year olds and Family Concerts. Audiences enjoy an eclectic mix of classical, contemporary, world, pop, folk and jazz as well as informal introductions within a friendly, inclusive and intimate atmosphere. Concerts often include tailored sensory activities that relate to the pieces to enhance the experience (bubbles, puppets, percussion etc). Young children’s concerts have soft mats, blankets and toys, mums are welcome to breastfeed and nappy changing facilities are provided. Concerts take place at cultural venues, pubs and public spaces aiming to extend access and engagement in cross-cultural arts.

Concerteenies has hosted series in partnership with Music in the Round at Sheffield Theatres, Greystones Backroom, Kommune food hall and Whirlow Spirituality Centre. We also present ‘pop-up’ events with partners, including a 0-5s marquee stage at Sheffield’s Folk Forest Festival, events at Sheffield Galleries and Museums Trust, Tetley Art Gallery in Leeds and the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield.

Performers have included Roderick Williams OBE (baritone), Tom Poster (piano), Laura Van Der Heijden (cello), Ensemble 360, Annabelle Lawson (piano), Louise Thomson (harp), Donald Grant, Martin Harwood and Kath James (folk fiddles), Hallam Sinfonia Orchestra, Abbeydale Singers and James Lyons (beatboxer/ flute/ harmonica).

Creative Music Projects

Concerteenies works in partnerships with early years settings and arts organisations to deliver bespoke creative music projects. We lead workshops specialising in music for speech and language, garden gigs for childminders, musical story-telling and commission new music. Intergenerational Music In 2020, Concerteenies and Simply Strings Trio began an exciting, partnership with South Yorkshire Housing Association and Age Better. The ‘Moments of Joy’ scheme delivers a series of interactive bespoke performances to adults age 55+ in Extra Care schemes in the region and focuses on supporting wellbeing at a time when social isolation and vulnerability is so prevalent.

Concerteenies Online

Following the cancellation of live events in March 2020, Concerteenies has continued passionately exploring new avenues, including developing a new YouTube channel with Musical Activities to do at home, nursery or school, Home Concerts performed by professional musicians and garden gigs. They have also created the pioneering 24-Hour Soundtrack for 0-5 year olds and their families and communities. It featured musicians from around the world, including Stephen Isserlis, Martin Roscoe, Pekka Kuusisto, Matthew Hunt, Roderick Williams, Tim Horton and many South Yorkshire babies, toddlers and young people. The initiative was a fundraiser for Sheffield Children’s Hospital Charity and Trust delivered in partnership with Sheffield Music Hub and Sheffield Music Academy.

Visit the Concerteenies Youtube Channel.

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