The Kent Sinfonia is the professional orchestra for the County of Kent, and as one of the foremost orchestras in the South East, it aims to take music to all. Central to this is its extended education programme devoted to the next generation of concert goers. Kent Sinfonia also works with top international soloists and offers a platform for outstanding young artists.

“…the Kent Sinfonia was faultless in its various renditions of familiar and well-loved pieces …a second superb performance with the Kent Sinfonia ...this was a night that will be remembered for a very long while.” 
Festival Proms, Tonbridge Castle, Kent & Sussex Courier

The orchestra performs education outreach projects, including concerts and workshops. While providing the excitement of seeing and hearing a real orchestra in action, Kent Sinfonia hope to encourage young children’s experience of live music,developing knowledge and appreciation of music as a part of learning.

Kent Sinfonia’s music projects contribute positively to music education in general and the future of classical music in Kent and the South East. They are committed to extending outreach work with schools, and have devised a new concert programme, ‘Birds and Beasts!’, for 4-7 year olds (KS 1), following feedback from teachers highlighting the need for outreach activities for this age group – (the programme is also suitable for KS 2 children).

The ’Birds and Beasts!’ concert programme involves 28 players, a conductor and a presenter. The audience (including teddies and toy animals who are also invited!) is introduced to birds and animals depicted in music through instrumental sounds and descriptive orchestral ‘pictures’ (with several short excerpts), and to individual orchestral instruments. An appealing song, ‘Spring Chicken’, also involves all the children. The presenter interacts with the audience, inventing amusing story lines linking orchestral extracts together, which delight the children and maintains attention! The hour long performance is conveniently fitted into the school day.

Kent Sinfonia is also working on further education programmes to continue their aim of taking live music to children. When possible, the orchestra’s wind quintet, the Kent Wind Soloists (see below), plan visits to schools beforehand to help create a link to a performance. Kent Sinfonia orchestral performances are suitable for several schools participating together in a larger venue.

The Kent Wind Soloists, principal wind players from Kent Sinfonia (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn), run separate successful  workshop days for primary schools, including 1) a lively demonstration session 2) a 'hands on' session in which children can try out wind and brass instruments (very popular - and noisy!) and 3) a short concert performance in full concert dress. Kent Wind Soloists workshops are suitable for visits to individual schools.

Key information

• Specialist wind workshops
• Performance/demonstrations/concerts
• Instrument handling sessions
• Suitable all year groups