FAMILY CONCERT: THE STORM WHALE

Ensemble 360

Cast, Doncaster
Saturday 25 April 2026, 11.00am

Tickets
from £6.00

Past Event
Home› What's on› FAMILY CONCERT: THE STORM WHALE

A brand-new storybook concert, based on the modern classic book series by Benji Davies.

The Storm Whale tells the story of a child, and a whale washed up on the beach,  and friendships that will change their lives forever and echo down the generations. These heart-warming tales of friendship, love and courage are brought to life through music specially written to accompany the book by our Children’s Composer-in-Residence, Paul Rissmann.  

Perfect for 3 to 7 year-olds and their families, this illustrated and narrated storybook concert is brought to Cast with Music in the Round, the producers of previous popular family concerts Izzy Gimzo, Giddy Goat and Sir Scallywag. It is a wonderful introduction to a live concert experience, brimming with wonderful music, memorable songs, images from the book and plenty of chances to join in.

“The Storm Whale tells a simple but powerful story about loneliness and the love between a parent and child… The world may be as big and lonely and incomprehensible as the ocean, but still it’s possible to find tremendous, heart-stopping tenderness.” The New York Times on the book

With many thanks to all our funders, including:

The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, The JG Graves Charitable Trust, Sheffield Town Trust and Wise Music Foundation

“The musicians did a wonderful job of introducing the young audience to enjoyment of the theatre, live music and engaging story-telling. Proof of their success [were] the lines of excited children coming up to meet the musicians who had gathered in the foyer with their instruments.”

The Yorkshire Post (on a previous Music in the Round storybook concert)

About the Artists

Ensemble 360 musicians

Ensemble 360

Ensemble 360 has gained an enviable reputation across the UK for the quality and integrity of their performances. Formed in 2005, eleven musicians of international standing came together to take up residency in South Yorkshire with Music in the Round, establishing a versatile group comprising five string players, five wind players and a pianist.  Get a glimpse of them in performance here.

The Ensemble 360 musicians share a passion for the music which radiates through each performance. Their enthusiasm, drive and musicality captivate audiences both through the quality of their playing and their engaging spoken introductions. Due to the flexible nature of the group’s line-up the repertoire possibilities are enormous; anything from baroque duos, through classical quartets to new commissions for all eleven players. 

 

CLOSE-UP FAMILY CONCERT: MUSIC FOR CURIOUS YOUNG MINDS

Ensemble 360

Cast, Doncaster
Saturday 21 February 2026, 11.00am

Tickets
from £6.50

Past Event
Home› What's on› CLOSE-UP FAMILY CONCERT: MUSIC FOR CURIOUS YOUNG MINDS

A lively family concert featuring four string musicians (violins, viola and cello) and a presenter. Together they breathe life into the wondrous world of chamber music.

They’ll play well-known classical favourites from Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and more.

Perfect for 7-11-year-olds, this lively, interactive concert is a great introduction to classical music, and a chance for those who’ve enjoyed our storybook concerts to delve a little deeper.

About the Artists

Ensemble 360 musicians

Ensemble 360

Ensemble 360 has gained an enviable reputation across the UK for the quality and integrity of their performances. Formed in 2005, eleven musicians of international standing came together to take up residency in South Yorkshire with Music in the Round, establishing a versatile group comprising five string players, five wind players and a pianist.  Get a glimpse of them in performance here.

The Ensemble 360 musicians share a passion for the music which radiates through each performance. Their enthusiasm, drive and musicality captivate audiences both through the quality of their playing and their engaging spoken introductions. Due to the flexible nature of the group’s line-up the repertoire possibilities are enormous; anything from baroque duos, through classical quartets to new commissions for all eleven players. 

 

FAMILY CONCERT: THE STORM WHALE

Ensemble 360 & Lucy Drever

Crucible Theatre, Sheffield
Saturday 11 October 2025, 10.30am / 1.30pm

Tickets:
£13
£7 UC, PIP & DLA
£5 Under 16s

Past Event
Home› What's on› FAMILY CONCERT: THE STORM WHALE

A brand-new storybook concert, based on the modern classic book series by Benji Davies.

The Storm Whale tells the story of a child, and a whale washed up on the beach,  and friendships that will change their lives forever and echo down the generations. These heart-warming tales of friendship, love and courage are brought to life through music specially written to accompany the book by our Children’s Composer-in-Residence, Paul Rissmann.  

Perfect for 3– 7-year-olds, this is a fun introduction to a live concert experience, brimming with wonderful music, memorable songs, images from the book and plenty of chances to join in. 

“The Storm Whale tells a simple but powerful story about loneliness and the love between a parent and child… The world may be as big and lonely and incomprehensible as the ocean, but still it’s possible to find tremendous, heart-stopping tenderness.” The New York Times on the book

Save 20% when you book for 10 or more Music in the Round concerts in one transaction. 
Save 10% when you book for 5 or more Music in the Round concerts in one transaction. Find out more. 

With many thanks to all our funders, including:

The Sarah Nulty Power of Music Foundation, Gripple Foundation, JG Graves Charitable Trust, Sheffield Town Trust and Wise Music Foundation

“The musicians did a wonderful job of introducing the young audience to enjoyment of the theatre, live music and engaging story-telling. Proof of their success [were] the lines of excited children coming up to meet the musicians who had gathered in the foyer with their instruments.”

The Yorkshire Post (on a previous Music in the Round storybook concert)

About the Artists

Ensemble 360 musicians

Ensemble 360

Ensemble 360 has gained an enviable reputation across the UK for the quality and integrity of their performances. Formed in 2005, eleven musicians of international standing came together to take up residency in South Yorkshire with Music in the Round, establishing a versatile group comprising five string players, five wind players and a pianist.  Get a glimpse of them in performance here.

The Ensemble 360 musicians share a passion for the music which radiates through each performance. Their enthusiasm, drive and musicality captivate audiences both through the quality of their playing and their engaging spoken introductions. Due to the flexible nature of the group’s line-up the repertoire possibilities are enormous; anything from baroque duos, through classical quartets to new commissions for all eleven players. 

 

Lucy Drever

Lucy Drever is a presenter, workshop leader and narrator. She regularly presents and leads workshops with some of the leading orchestras, arts venues and music charities in the UK including the Philharmonia Orchestra, Wigmore Hall and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra of which she is Associate Artist. She has recently narrated concerts for Lambert Jackson at the London Palladium and is the Head of Creative Learning at the Benedetti Foundation. Furthermore, she was recently appointed trustee of the Samuel Gardner Memorial Trust.

Lucy works in a variety of settings including arts venues, schools, Early Years spaces, hospitals, conservatoires and prisons. As well as education consultancy she works across various industries, helping people with their presenting and public speaking skills.

Read more.

WeCompose Introductory Video

Home› Explore at home› In the round›

The below video gives an insight into the WeCompose project, covering the following areas:

 

Made in collaboration with Doncaster Music Hub.

Close Up: Music for Curious Young Minds

Home› Explore at home› In the round›
Download

CLOSE-UP FAMILY CONCERT: MUSIC FOR CURIOUS YOUNG MINDS

Elinor Moran & Ensemble 360

Cast, Doncaster
Saturday 8 March 2025, 11.00am

Tickets
£11
£6 Under 16s

Past Event
Musicians from Ensemble 360
Home› What's on› CLOSE-UP FAMILY CONCERT: MUSIC FOR CURIOUS YOUNG MINDS

A lively family concert, featuring five wind musicians (flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon and horn). Together they breathe life into the wondrous world of chamber music.  

They’ll play well-known classical favourites from Britten and Debussy to Haydn and Holst, alongside more recent works such as Anna Meredith’s playful portrait of a moth and Valerie Coleman’s celebratory Kwanza dance.  

Perfect for 7-11 year olds, this is a lively, interactive concert is a great introduction to music, or chance for those who’ve enjoyed our storybook concerts to delve a little deeper.

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Save £s when you book for 5 Music in the Round concerts or more at the same time. Find out more here.

Programme:
BRITTEN I. Prologue from Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings (1’30) 
HAYDN arr. Parry IV. Rondo-Allegretto from Divertimento No.1 (2’) 
ONSLOW IV. Finale (extract) from Wind Quintet (3’30) 
ARNOLD I. Allegro con brio from ‘Three Shanties’ (2’30)
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS arr. Morton ‘The Vagabond’ from Songs of Travel (3’)
LIGETI III. Allegro grazioso from ‘6 Bagatelles’ (2’30) 
DEBUSSY ‘Syrinx’ (3’) 
BACEWICZ I. Allegro from Quintet for Wind Instruments (3’) 
STRAVINSKY II. from ‘Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet’ (1’) 
HOLST IV. Air and Variations from Wind Quintet (4’) 
DANZI IV. Allegretto from Wind Quintet No.2 (3’) 
MEREDITH  ‘Moth’ from ‘Tripotage Miniatures’ (2’30) 
COLEMAN  Umoja (2’45) 

About the Artists

Elinor Moran

Elinor is in demand as a vocal workshop leader and animateur. She regularly works in learning and participation teams with such companies as ROH, ETO, Opera North, Snape Maltings, Garsington Opera and as far away as The Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus in Toronto.

Elinor has just returned from singing with André Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra as a soloist on a world tour. She was a soloist on a SONY BMG recording “The Best Of Gilbert And Sullivan” which reached the top of the Classical Chart and can be heard on Blossom Street’s new Naxos recording of choral music by female composers “This Day”. Her recent roles include Mimi La Boheme (in the Olivier Award winning OperaUpClose production at the Soho Theatre and Charing Cross Theatre and Tour) and she has been the recipient of a Garsington Opera Chorus Award. 

Elinor studied voice at Chetham’s School Of Music and The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. In 2012 she performed a dance role in Danny Boyle’s Olympic Opening Ceremony but has since put away her hip hop shoes (until the right future opportunity…).

Ensemble 360 musicians

Ensemble 360

Ensemble 360 has gained an enviable reputation across the UK for the quality and integrity of their performances. Formed in 2005, eleven musicians of international standing came together to take up residency in South Yorkshire with Music in the Round, establishing a versatile group comprising five string players, five wind players and a pianist.  Get a glimpse of them in performance here.

The Ensemble 360 musicians share a passion for the music which radiates through each performance. Their enthusiasm, drive and musicality captivate audiences both through the quality of their playing and their engaging spoken introductions. Due to the flexible nature of the group’s line-up the repertoire possibilities are enormous; anything from baroque duos, through classical quartets to new commissions for all eleven players.