RSNO premiere 2023 National Schools Concert Programme Once Upon A Tune in Motherwell Posted Wed 8 February 2023
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) welcomes pupils to the Motherwell Civic Centre for the premiere of its 2023 schools project Once Upon A Tune. The RSNO will perform for over 1,200 children in Motherwell this week, before the concert tour travels to Inverness, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Perth.
The performances form part of the RSNO’s free National Schools Concert Programme Once Upon A Tune, including a live tour, concert film and teaching resources based on James Mayhew’s book of the same name.
Featuring popular tales that inspired some of the greatest pieces of classical music including Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Snow Maiden and Flight of the Bumblebee, Debussy’s Sunken Cathedral and Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Mayhew can be seen bringing the stories to life on stage through live illustration and storytelling.
With a thematic focus on climate change, the concert and learning resources have been designed to spark discussion in classrooms, facilitate pupils’ learning across different curricular areas and inspire a lifelong interest in music. So far over 15,000 children have signed up to take part in the digital project.
Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Neil Gray MSP said: “This project shows the important role that culture can play in educating children about climate change. I want to congratulate the RSNO on the launch of their schools project for 2023 Once Upon A Tune and I’m glad that children across Scotland will be able to take part in this incredible experience.”
RSNO Director of Engagement Andrew Stevenson said: “We are excited to continue developing our offering for Scotland’s children, building on the success of our previous schools projects. We believe that music is a brilliant way of exploring many different and often challenging issues and we hope that Once Upon A Tune can help bring thoughtful discussion around climate change to classrooms. We’re grateful to be continuing our creative partnership with James Mayhew, using his amazing illustrations to bring this iconic repertoire to life.”
Schools and home educators have until June 2023 to sign up to receive the concert film (to be released in English, with Gaelic subtitles and British Sign Language in April), Continuing Professional Development content for teachers and cross-curricular learning resources (released February – March). For more information visit, www.rsno.org.uk/project/once-upon-a-tune/
ENDS
Notes to editors
RSNO contact: Constance Fraser constance.fraser@rsno.org.uk
For more information on the project visit www.rsno.org.uk/project/once-upon-a-tune/
For more information about James Mayhew’s book Once Upon A Tune visit www.jamesmayhew.co.uk/books/once-upon-a-tune
The RSNO’s 2023 National Schools Concert Programme is kindly supported by the Scottish Government, Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Endowments Trust, Alexander Moncur Trust, Castansa Trust, Cruach Trust, David & June Gordon Memorial Trust, Edgar E Lawley Foundation, Educational Institute of Scotland, Ettrick Charitable Trust, Forteviot Charitable Trust, Gaelic Language Promotion Trust, Gannochy Trust, Glasgow City Council, Hugh Fraser Foundation, Jimmie Cairncross Charitable Trust, Leach Family Charitable Trust, Leisure & Culture Dundee, MEB Charitable Trust, Northwood Charitable Trust, PF Charitable Trust, Q Charitable Trust, Stevenston Charitable Trust, Thomson Charitable Trust, Tillyloss Trust and the Walter Scott Giving Group
