Designed with KS2 students in mind, these thrilling and interactive concerts will be presented by award-winning composer and conductor, James Redwood and actor/director, Lynne Forbes. Explore the Orchestra: Sea Stories will feature material that fuses symphonic music with the written word and will explore how the oceans have ignited the musical imaginations of many.

So set your masts – and prepare the sails – and get ready to hear pieces from opera, films and symphonies. Also featured will be a specially composed participatory song, composed and led by James, in addition to a newly composed body percussion piece created in collaboration with schools from Portsmouth. In these pieces, the audience will learn to sing and perform with the orchestra, and be introduced to all the instruments that make up a symphony orchestra.

The concert running time is approximately 1 hour 15 minutes. If the live concerts are shown as sold out, please click here to add your school to the waiting list.

Pre-Concert CPD Session

James will be leading a FREE CPD session for a teacher from every school attending the concert to teach you the music and words for the participatory items, as well as giving ideas for other ways you can prepare for the concert. The CPD session will be held on Friday 22 November, 4.15 – 6pm. Venue: Cullompton Community Centre, Pye Corner, Cullompton, EX15 1JX.

Please note that the CPD session is a requisite for your school attending the concert. Further details will be sent after booking.

Works and composers

Bernstein The Great Lover from On The Town
Redwood Meet The Orchestra
Tchaikovsky The Tempest
Redwood Enchanted Isle
Ellington The Meander
Badelt/Zimmer Pirates of the Caribbean
Debussy Dialogue of the Wind and the Sea from La Mer
Miranda You're Welcome from Moana
I think seeing the instruments live, hearing their ranges and listening to a range of music, really inspired the children. One even came away saying he'd like to play violin in an orchestra when he is older!
Teacher at Explore the Orchestra Sea Stories Concert, May 2024

Explore the Orchestra is generously supported by

Dave & Jan Pointer
Tanda McKee