Hi,

I am looking around for percussion concerts in London / South East to take my 9-year old son to. He is a promising pianist and making headway on the trumpet, but he has become hooked on the idea of percussion since being introduced to the samba bateria in school.

When I was at school, I was taken to a recital by James Blades, and I'd love to take him to something similar - I'd like him to have a chance to hear all the percussion instruments in action (and the Timpani, if possible).

If anyone knows of anything going on this Summer, that they'd recommend, I'd be very grateful.

Many thanks,


Late Bloomer

You could try the BBC Proms concerts. The concert details have just been announced so you might find something interesting there - they often have family concerts. There is probably not much solo percussion but you could certainly see a big percussion section (definitely timpani) with some orchestras.

Alternatively.....I think The Police may be touring again - Stuart Copland plays the most amazing array of interesting percussion instruments that appear on huge racks behind him and sink back down into the stage again. Fantastic show, but I recommend ear defenders!!

Check out this

http://www.noiseensemble.com/

and if you PM drumkat she has a percussion concert coming up at Godalming College on 29th April at 7.30pm

Hope that helps

No idea about concerts... but could he join a samba band? We have a group in school (high school though) and he would have a chance to play lots of percussion there and learn about it.

i cant remember what the peice was called, but one of the Proms we went to was a really long piece of music with probably 15minutes of timpani soloing.

all i can remmeber is that it was played by the Halle Orcehstra, conducted by Mark Elder

I've seen noise ensemble, and I found them completely amazing! Good array of percussion instruments played as well. Evelyn Glennie also does concerts, but I think they sell out quickly. If you are in the vague Surrey area, then please do come to the concert on the 29th! PM me if you're interested. There'll definitely be a large range of instruments!!!

Wow - if you get a chance to see The Police, do!

Another great watch would be Gavin Harrison playing with the band Porcupine Tree...


Or a Dom Famularo clinic, when he's next in the UK...

Im pretty sure that colin currie is doing a percussion concerto at the proms this year so it would be good for a 9 year old to watch colin running from one side of the stage to hit one instrument then run back for another