Education ViVA

Beanbag Proms: Boogie! Shimmy! Spin!
Saturday 12 September 2009
Royal Concert Hall Foyer, Nottingham

Once again Alasdair Malloy, sinfonia ViVA and Julia Damassa as Beanie Bear came together in the Royal Concert Hall Foyer in Nottingham for another instalment of the Beanbag Proms series with Boogie! Shimmy! Spin!

"The theme was very successful. There were lots of opportunities for the kids to get involved." - Musician

Alasdair introduced each instrumentalist separately and they each boogied into the foyer playing their own danced themed music including tunes such as the Hokey Cokey, the CanCan and even the Sailor's Hornpipe. When all of the musicians had made it to the stage, the arrival of Beanie Bear and her special song meant that all of the children could join the song and dance!

"We are now being asked about half a dozen times a day for a violin!." - Parent

After a bit of drumming along to Farandole by Bizet, Alasdair cued the children to make cat noises and actions in The Waltzing Cat by Leroy Anderson. Following this there was the inclusion of raindrop actions during a rendition of Singing in the Rain.

"I thought the whole show was excellent and intend coming to future events." - Parent

It was a big song and dance during The Handel Hand Jive as the children copied the dance moves of Alasdair before they listened (and practiced ballet!) in Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The real highlight of the performance came next, with Alasdair playing Tea for Two on the Incredible Hornonium (an instrument made entirely of old fashioned car-horns!) which was back by popular demand. The children were encouraged to try out some body percussion during the fun!

"Very age appropriate, just the right level of fun, informative and a good length of time." - Parent

The concert ended with a lot of actions, partying and dancing to Mr Mozart's Macarena before the children were given the chance to meet the musicians and try out the instruments!

"I very much liked the idea of the hand jives and doing the Macarena to classical pieces!." - Parent

"It was great to have the opportunity to hear and see a group of musicians and their instruments so close, have rhythms to tap, actions with hands and a variety of music." - Parent

"Mingling with the children and parents afterwards was one of the most effective aspects of the concert - I was surprised how much interest there was." - Musician

This work has been generously supported by Arts Council England, Nottingham City Council, Orchestras Live and the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham. We would also like to acknowledge the generous support of John Lewis, Nottingham; The Whitaker Charitable Trust, Helen Jean Cope Trust, D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and the JN Derbyshire Charitable Trust.

Images from the project...