"I want to learn more and have more fun than sitting down"

If you’d like to explore music alongside your children, why not come to one of many family concerts, workshops and events throughout the year?

"I want to write the best poem ever!"

July 2011 saw the first in a new series of family concerts and events, with a screening of The Adventures of Prince Achmed in the Barbirolli Room.  The film - the earliest surviving feature length animation, made in 1926 - was accompanied by a new score created and performed live by Manchester composer Arun Ghosh and his sextet.  90% of children and 98% of adults gave the performance full marks, and many first time concert-goers were determined to come back for more.

"It was great!  The music was fantastic - totally transported me."

In October we invited families back for Peter & the Wolf LIVE, a fantastical animation by Suzie Templeton which was screened in The Bridgewater Hall's main auditorium accompanied by a live orchestra and preceded by an energetic exploration of the story and its sounds.  A superb introduction to classical music for the whole family, this new production brought out the darkness and hilarity in the well-known tale to captivate a whole new generation of children.

Other family activities

In 2012, we're planning a special concert for children aged 5-11 as part of our spring celebration of Debussy on the 150th anniversary of his birth.  Debussy's Children's Corner concert will be performed in an informal setting by associate artist Noriko Ogawa, and young visitors will be able to explore Debussy's fascination with Japan with workshops and dressing up activities before and after the concert.

On Thursday 24 May, associate artist Noriko Ogawa will perform Jamie's Concert - a special recital designed for the parents and carers of children with autism and other physical or learning disabilities.  The concert offers a relaxed, cultural space during the school day, with a discount offer in our café to encourage visitors to stay and talk to fellow carers following the performance.

If you're coming to any of our auditorium concerts - those designed specifically for families, or otherwise - why not use our free resources to help you explore the building and the sounds of the orchestra? The Treasure Trail will introduce children to the building's secrets - from the Touchstone on the piazza, to the springs beneath the floor and the view from the Gallery. The upper foyer levels are opened one hour before each concert and the Treasure Trail will take up to 30 minutes - please arrive in good time if you plan to complete it before a performance!

The Guide to the Orchestra will help young concert-goers to spot some of the most common orchestral instruments on the stage and to learn a little about how they are manufactured and played. Both resources are available to download or can be collected from the Information Desk in the stalls foyer.

View listings for all upcoming family concerts and events.

We can send you updates about opportunities for school and family participation. Sign up to join the mailing list and make sure you don't miss out.

Visit the past projects page to see what families have been doing at the Hall recently.