Polly’s story
I’ve been creating musical stories for children since 2004, when I found a copy of the book Snap! Snap! by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins in my local bookshop.
I had the idea of turning the book into a piece of music and sent it to the composer Richard Chew, and thankfully he ran with it! He created the music, including parts for a narrator or soprano. I wasn’t a singer, but I knew I could tell a story, so we performed that with Ensemble 360 at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre, and it was a hit.
Classic children’s musical stories like Peter and the Wolf or Carnival of the Animals had long been on the scene. But I felt there was so much more potential to introduce children to music through storytelling, because music always tells a story.
At traditional concerts, children are often expected to be still and quiet. I can remember being told off for wriggling in a classical concert when I was young! I wanted children to be themselves.
I have since commissioned 21 Musical Stories with the composer Paul Rissmann and worked alongside incredible authors including Julia Donaldson, Michael Rosen and Rob Biddulph. They’ve been performed around the world, from Australia to America, and arranged in different variations.
Paul and I have spent hours sitting on bookshop floors looking through hundreds of titles and we’ve developed a good feel for what makes a good story musically. Having a character people can relate to, like the proudly independent Izzy Gizmo, or a message to take away, or an adventure, always works well. My next concert is based on ‘The Duck With No Luck’ by Jonathan Long and Korky Paul, which has everything in it from the jungle to the desert and space; it’s fast paced and perfect for live music and digital animations.
“Our charity, Concerteenies, is always trying to bring more people, from birth, into music and often through stories. We’re sharing our passion for music through bringing books to life and sharing that experience with children and grown-ups.”
Polly, Concerteenies, Sheffield
In the first half of 2026, we are presenting 95 Musical Stories across the country, from Suffolk to Scarborough, and London to the Lake District. We’ll be working in partnership with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Mozart Players, freelance musicians and conductors – in schools, nurseries, libraries, theatres, concert venues and even a pop-in shop! We really are going all in!
Find out more about Concerteenies.
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