Herd your cubs, pups and tadpoles to Tunes 4 Tamariki: The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia’s latest interactive children’s concert that’swinging its way to Takapuna’s Bruce Mason Theatre on 28 March and the Auckland Town Hall on 12 April. This animal-themed music extravaganza features a delightful Kiwi children’s storybook brought to life on stage though music, art and storytelling, alongside a zoo-full of singalong tunes.
From graceful swans to busy farmyards and cheeky spiders, this lively concert brings favourite creatures to life through fun and familiar songs and music. Presented by beloved Kiwi children’s entertainer, Kath Bee, audiences will delight in the classic The Swan from Carnival of the Animals, toe-tapping fun with 'Old MacDonald had a Farm', the breezy charm of 'Incy Wincy Spider', and more orchestral surprises along the way.
The star of this musical menagerie will be a special symphonic retelling of award-winning New Zealand author Donovan Bixley’s sumptuous children’s story The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra. Sharing this fantabulous story with tamariki in a new and exciting way, Donovan Bixley will narrate his book live, accompanied by colourful illustrations from the book on the big screen. The story will leap off the page as the orchestra performs Kiwi composer Camryn Nel’s brilliant orchestrations of Bixley’s story, painting each character and moment through sound.
As well as being a fun and thought-provoking tale, The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra introduces children to the instruments of the orchestra and environmental themes about the importance of biodiversity. This story transports them to a fantabulous world where each creature plays its part in perfect harmony, with a honking of horns, a slither of scales and a bumbling buzz in the air!
This preschooler-friendly one-hour concert features opportunities for the audience to have a go at conducting, sing and dance along with the music, and join a walkthrough of the orchestra to see the instruments up close. There are also free pre-concert activities, including facepainting, arts and crafts, and an Instrument Show & Tell that encourages children to discover how instruments work.
Tunes 4 Tamariki: The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra is delivered by Auckland Philharmonia’s music education programme, Learn & Participate, thanks to the support of Auckland Live, The North & South Trust, and Penguin Random House New Zealand, and the orchestra’s core funders, Auckland Council, Creative NZ and Foundation North.
Perfect for ages 6 and under, this relaxed, welcoming concert is a joyful introduction to live orchestral music. Come along and join the herd, flock or troop for a fantabulous family musical adventure!
Tickets on sale now for $15 each or $50 for a family pass. Avoid the stampede and book now at aucklandphil.nz
CONCERT DETAILS
Tunes 4 Tamariki: The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra
10am & 11:30am, Saturday 28 March, Bruce Mason Centre
12.30pm & 2pm, Sunday 12 April, Auckland Town Hall
Conductor David Kay
Presenter Kath Bee
Guest Narrator Donovan Bixley
Guest Narrator Donovan Bixley
Duration: approximately one hour
