A Musical Journey Through Storyland: Prep 2 and 3 Visit the Philharmonic Orchestra

On Tuesday morning, Prep 2 and 3 children set off on a magical musical adventure to hear the Philharmonic Orchestra perform “Storyland” — a concert specially created for children to explore the wonder of orchestral music through familiar tales.

The excitement was palpable as the children arrived at the Aviva Studios, Manchester, many of them experiencing a live orchestra for the very first time. The Storyland performance introduced children to the different sections of the orchestra—strings, woodwind, brass, and percussion—through the retelling of classic children’s stories, all beautifully brought to life with music. Each instrument played a role in bringing characters and scenes to life, from the deep rumble of the tuba to the delicate sparkle of the flute.

The orchestra began with Jack and the Beanstalk, where soaring strings and booming brass helped tell the tale of Jack’s daring climb and the fearsome giant above the clouds. Children listened intently, gasping at the dramatic moments and joining in with the actions and British Sign Language which brought the story to life.

Next was the energetic and playful Tortoise and the Hare, where racing melodies and slower, thoughtful passages reflected the personalities of the speedy hare and the steady tortoise.

The final piece was The Giant Turnip, with its comical, repetitive rhythm building as each character joined in to pull the enormous vegetable from the ground. The use of deep, plodding tubas and bassoons gave the story a wonderful, earthy feel that had everyone smiling.

On return to Prep the children enjoyed a sandwich lunch and reflected on the variety of instruments they had been introduced to that morning. The visit served as a powerful reminder of how live music can inspire the next generation of musicians.