Media Release 4 March 2015

National Concert Hall’s Education, Community and Outreach Programme announces Easter Events for Children and Families

The National Concert Hall will be alive with activity over the Easter holidays with an array of events to be shared by the whole family, or any combination of parents, children, guardians and minders. The Education, Community and Outreach programme (ECO) have put together a number of events that will allow families and friends to be actively involved in one of the participative workshops or to just listen to some great music together.

Sounds of Spring is an interactive string quartet concert for all the family featuring works inspired by spring and will take place on Tuesday 31st March. Participants will see nature through the eyes of the composers and learn about the instruments in the quartet.

Thursday 2nd April is Family Workshop Day. Experience the magical music of the East in the Introduction to Gamelan, the rhythms and sounds of jazz in the Family Jazz workshop, or the world of percussion in the Let’s Drum workshop, or even all three in a single package!

On Tuesday 7th April the first Bring along a Baby Baroque Concert will take place. This is an informal, relaxed, accessible chamber music recital of the highest standard, aimed primarily at parents, while babies or very young children sleep, feed and play.

Finally, Thursday 9th April, will see the next in the series of Musical Stories events. Here the children take centre stage in a fully interactive musical story telling workshop; guided by the National Concert Hall’s ECO Band. The children and musicians co-create their own versions and soundscapes to popular children’s stories, using percussion, chimes, whistles and other sounds.

The ECO programme launched in January this year and seeks to engage people with music, to enhance their understanding and appreciation of music and music making, and to encourage personal, community and social development through music. The premise is that music should be enjoyed by many, regardless of age, background or experience; everyone can benefit greatly from engaging with, and learning about music.

Easter Events at the National Concert Hall
Tuesday 31 March 11am & 12.30pm
Sounds of Spring with Mobile Music Machine
All seats one price: €12.50; Family Ticket (family of 4 with at least 1 child): €44; 20% discount for Young Maestros

Thursday 2 April – Family Workshop Day
• 11am & 12.30pm - Introduction to Gamelan
• 11.30am & 1pm - Family Jazz Workshops
• 12.45 & 2.15pm - Let’s Drum!
Individual workshops
1 adult & 2 children: €19.50; Full Price: €8; Young Maestro Price: €7
All three workshops
11am – Gamelan; 1pm - Family Jazz Workshops; 2.15pm - Let’s Drum
1 adult & 2 children: €49.95; Full Price: €20; Young Maestros: €17
Tuesday 7th April 11am

Bring along a Baby Baroque Concert
Adults €12.50, babies go free.
Thursday 9th April 12pm & 1.30pm

Musical Stories
Full Price: €12.50; Young Maestros: €10; Up to two complimentary tickets for accompanying parent/guardian, additional parent/guardian €12

ENDS
For further information please contact: Ruth Moloney, Marketing Executive, National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 417 0084 / 087 278 6382