The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra

The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is a radiant introduction to the wonderful world of the symphony orchestra. The music was commissioned for a documentary film about symphonic instruments. Benjamin Britten took a theme composed 250 years ago by fellow countryman Henry Purcell and transformed it into a brilliant exposé of the instruments and possibilities of the symphony orchestra.

It begins with everyone playing together, after which each group of instruments has its moment in the spotlight. Next is a series of examples of what happens when various instruments and sounds are combined or pitted against one another. This is musical education at its very best.

Hosting the concert will be singer and actor Ayla Kabaca, who studied music at Operahögskolan in Gothenburg and is well known from programmes such as Barnens Allsång på Skansen, and as host of SVT’s Bolibompa and more. In 2016, she was nominated for a Grammis Award for her album 12 sånger om månaderna (12 Songs about the Months). This season, Ayla Kabaca is Konserthuset’s special artist-in-residence and she is leading all school concerts.

This year is the 100-year anniversary of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra’s school concerts! It was the spring of 1917 when schoolchildren were invited to hear classical music played by the orchestra for the very first time. The school concerts are still an essential part of Konserthuset and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra’s operations. 

Before the school concerts, students will have the chance to try out some of the orchestra’s instruments in the lobbies.