UK’s first ever Playground Proms to tour schools in Cumbria this May (visiting 10 schools in Barrow) Graffiti Classics, one of the world’s leading comedy string quartets, in partnership with Cumbria Music Hub and supported by Arts Council England, will be touring the first ever Playground Proms to primary schools in Cumbria on 17-21 May 2021. After many months of lockdown, it is estimated that over 1000 school children will enjoy the thrill of a fun-filled, educational and diverse musical workshop, inspired by the world-famous BBC Proms, safely in the fresh air of their own playground. “We quickly devised the Playground Proms in response to the Covid crisis,’ said Cathal Ó Dúill, from Graffiti Classics. “We usually tour our educational workshop indoors in school halls, but moving the show out into the playground was a simple solution to navigating important Covid restrictions. The first Playground Prom of the week will be filmed too, so that we have the option to broadcast that to any participating schools if bad weather hits us during the week. We are so grateful for the support of Cumbria Music Hub and Arts Council England who have made these Playground Proms possible.” “Graffiti Classics players are experts at making classical music fun for kids and are also experienced in outdoor Prom-style performances and, so we immediately loved their Playground Proms idea and were delighted that it was awarded a Project Grant from Arts Council England,’ said Yvonne Hulme from Cumbria Music Hub. “Our hub has done great work throughout the lockdown to continue delivering music provision in our schools and these Playground Proms will almost be like a celebration for children, now we seem to be slowly winning the fight against Covid. Our hope is that children will be blown away by the Playground Proms and inspired to try a musical instrument for themselves.” Each Playground Prom will last 1 hour and will feature music from a diverse range of classical composers such as Beethoven, Bizet as well as Joplin and Strauss. Aimed at the Keystage 2 age group in primary schools, children will be encouraged to explore their own musicality through innovative workshop techniques and musical games. Graffiti Classics will visit 2 schools a day in the Barrow-in-Furness area over the week starting 17th May but the recording of the first Prom will be available to school children across the whole county. In addition to experiencing the Prom performance itself in the great outdoors, children will also be encouraged to write their own uplifting words to a well-known classical tune as part of an on-going Lyric Challenge that will run after the tour. Entries will be filmed and shared on Cumbria Music Hub’s website. School teachers will also be supported in advance of the Playground Prom visit with an online workshop so that the children can fully benefit from the experience. For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Cathal Ó Dúill Graffiti Classics Email info@graffiticlassics.com or call 07956909981 www.graffiticlassics.com Yvonne Hulme Cumbria Music Hub Email Yvonne.Hulme@cumbria.gov.uk or call 01228 226846 https://cumbriamusichub.com/