A roundup of the music based events happening in Birmingham (and adding a few from Warwick Arts Centre too) in March and the first half of April 2023.
March What’s On For Kids In Birmingham
February What’s On For Kids In Birmingham
A round up of some of the music-based shows and events for children and families in and around Birmingham in February 2023.
What’s My Instrument by Johnny Oddsocks
A review of the lovely and charming book, “What’s My Instrument?” by Johnny Oddsocks.
Music Book Review: Where Are All The Instruments?: West Africa
The Why Squad are a group of children who love their music classes, and finding out as much as they can about music. In this book written by Nathan Holder and illustrated by Charity Russell they learn about instruments from different countries in West Africa. Their exploration of these instruments takes them on an adventure.
12 Nursery Rhymes To Sing With Your Baby
Want to sing something, anything, with your baby? Why not start with one of these 12 nursery rhymes?
Why Sing To Your Baby?
Why you should sing to your baby, and often. How you and your baby will benefit from singing together - your baby might even join in!
Music Book Review: When Step met Skip by Vicky Weber
This Music Book Review is a lovely book When Step Met Skip by Vicky Weber, illustrated by Geneviève Viel-Taschereau. Written by an Early Years music teacher, the book introduces simple music theory concepts in a fun and engaging way for young readers.
DIY Wood Block- Decorate Your Own Kit from Baker Ross
Making a woodblock with my 4 year old using DIY Baker Ross Mini Wooden Block kit. A fun way to spend a rainy afternoon, spending family time together.
Composition Game to Play with your Children
Musical games to play at home. A fun way to get your children to have a go at composition, and to make their own music. Great for homeschool music composition class.
Facts About the Oboe
This month’s featured instrument of the orchestra is a member of the woodwind family: the oboe.
Hello Bird, Hello Fish! Review of new Work In Progress Opera from B’Opera
A review of the new work in progress opera Hello Bird, Hello Fish by Birmingham based children’s opera company B’Opera.
Interview with Zoë Challenor, B’Opera
In this post I interview Zoe Challinor, one of the founders of an opera company for under 5s and their families based in Birmingham, UK.
Music Book Review: Rhythm Rescue by Vicky Weber
Tala is a little girl who lives in Music Metropolis and who has special powers through the power of music. Read my review of the book Rhythm Rescue by Vicky Weber and illustrated by Geneviève Viel-Taschereau.
Facts about the flute
How much do you know about the flute? Some interesting facts about my favourite wind instrument (the one I play myself).
Music Book Review: Wheels on the Bus from Cocomelon
This Music Book Review looks at the board book of children's favourite song Wheels On The Bus. This version of the song if from YouTube children's animation channel Cocomelon. I challenge you not to sing along when reading this with your children.
Singing songs in rounds – a fun way to introduce harmony to your children
Have you seen the viral #GraceKellyChallenge and want to have a go either yourself or with your family. Perhaps you have never tried singing in harmony before and don’t know where to start. Singing a #songinrounds is a great way to start off singing together with other people.
About practice
Why is practice so important for learning a musical instrument? What benefits are there to practising? How can I, as a parent, support my child learning to play a musical instrument? What if I can’t play myself, can I still help with musical instrument practice?
Spotlight on Halilit Calypso Band set for babies over 6 months old
Reviewing a gorgeous set of baby instruments, this set of shakers and tambourines are made specifically to be baby safe musical instruments.
Baker Ross DIY Tambourine Kit
Reviewing a fun activity, making DIY tambourine using a kit from Baker Ross.
Spotlight on Rainsticks
This blog post puts a contemporary and child friendly version of a traditional instrument in the spotlight - rainsticks.
Spotlight on Handbells
For this month’s spotlight on a musical instrument, I am looking at handbells - tuned percussion instruments that your children will just love to play, if only because they can be played VERY loud!
Academy Tots from the Royal Academy of Music
A review of an online music class for 2-4 year olds from the Royal Academy of Music in London.
Music Book Review: I Spy Music Instruments
This music book review looks at the book I Spy Music Instruments which teaches very young children the names of musical instruments by playing the game “I spy with my little eye”
Call And Response Games To Play With Your Children
Playing music games is a great way to pass some time at home, and with the educational benefits of call and response rhythm games. A fun way to teach your child turn taking.
DIY Slide Whistle
I currently have both children at home given the situation in the UK at the moment. My eldest is set work from school which occupies him (and me with cajoling him to get back to it and helping him understand what he is supposed to be doing), but not the whole day. So we are... Continue Reading →
My Favourite Christmas Songs
Christmas songs are everywhere from about mid October to December every year, aren't they? We all have our own festive favourites, and here is a playlist featuring some of my favourite Christmas songs. All of the songs are family friendly, so grab a drink and snack and enjoy these lovely Christmas songs.
Music Book Review: The 12 Engines of Christmas
This Music Book Review is a Thomas the Tank Engine themed re-writing of the classic Christmas song The 12 Days of Christmas.
Classical Music For Christmas
Are you looking for some ideas for music to listen to with your children? Perhaps you want to do some festive activities and have some background music on? Here is a curated festive playlist full of Christmas-themed classical music. Grab a drink and a snack, put the playlist on and settle down for some beautiful Christmas music.
My Favourite Christmas Carols
Looking for some lovely seasonal music to listen to with your little ones? Here is a playlist featuring some of my favourite Christmas Carols. Put them on while you do some festive crafting, or just have a good sing-a-long with the playlist.
Our Ukuleles
A quick look at the Ukeleles I got for my 2 children to play, and looking at the difference between one I got as a proper instrument, and one that is more of a toy.
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