TODDLERS and young children have the opportunity to enjoy their first classical experience at The Anvil, courtesy of the acclaimed OAE Tots event.

These concerts from the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment are specially designed to entertain two – five year-olds and each one weaves real classical music in with stories, action and popular children’s tunes like nursery rhymes.

Children aged under two are also welcome and do not need a ticket, providing they can sit on their parent / guardian’s lap.

Charles Lewis from the OAE explained: “They’re great because they give small children access to fantastic music and a world class orchestra almost without them realising it – they’re busy having fun and before they know it they’ve been listening to, dancing to and singing along with the likes of Purcell and Vivaldi.”

Basingstoke Gazette:

OAE Tots is bringing its 45 minute Tudor concert to Basingstoke’s Anvil on Sunday, September 27 at 11am and 1.30pm.

Immerse your tots in the world of Shakespeare, Kings, Queens and the English court with a selection of authentically Tudor tunes, all played on the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s beautiful period instruments.

Charles continued: “You can expect lots of early music from the Renaissance – the likes of Susato and Gibbons – that would have been popular within the English court.

“Sadly a lot of that music isn’t regularly performed any more, but you can rest assured that the OAE will make it relevant and weave in stories from this popular period in English history.

“We’ll even be playing a piece written by Henry VIII himself.

“Hopefully children and parents will all leave with a new found enthusiasm for early music and the work of the OAE. We’d love it if people went home and were inspired to search out more of this and similar music. And if a kid grows up listening to Purcell or Vivaldi or Bach, then we know we’ve done our job.”

Why does he think it’s important for children to experience live music at a young age?

“There are all sorts of studies that show the benefits of making children listen to classical music. But the best reason of all is that they really love it – they come without the pre-conceived notions of stuffiness and concert etiquette that the rest of us have.

“Live music is just very engaging – it’s the kind of experience that children will remember as they grow us.

“And with a bit of luck they won’t be afraid of giving classical music a go, picking up an instrument, going to a concert of just listening to a recording.”

Tickets: £10, £3 for under-16s

Box office: 01256 844244, anvilarts.org.uk