The Reluctant Dragon/Wind in the Willows - 22 - 24 May

The Singapore Lyric Opera has a Kenneth Grahame double-bill for the hols.

The musical adaptation by English composer John Rutter "was originally written as an ‘entertainment’ for The King’s Singers (six male voices) and the City of London Sinfonia to perform at a family concert." 

The Magical Baton - SCO Children's Concert - 9 & 11 May

Not to be outdone the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, which has always had an excellent promotions department, is having its own children's concert for 3-6 year olds with the choir doing Chan Mali Chan, Strauss and Bach. And I see from their website, which has a great deal of information about Chinese music and instruments along with audio samples on the Learning More, that they have their own educational CD for beginners to Chinese music.

SSO Children's Choir auditions - May 30

Check here for details if your kid is between 9-14 years of age. To hear what they sound like you can catch their next concert on April 20. The SSO also has loads of kids activities like babies proms, children's concerts and storytelling (for large group bookings). I hadn't seen it before but the Kids section of their website also has games to download and info on their new edutainment activity book and CD. Very impressive. Guess they're trying to pander to the young audience for Western classical music which though shrinking in other parts of the world seems to be growing in Asia.

Kids turn up in droves for Janell Yeo concert

I was really surprised at the number of kids at a charity concert by young Singaporean violinist Janell Yeo, at Esplanade Concert Hall on April 1. Janell is all of 14 years old, an over-achiever even by Singapore standards, recipient of a 200K award to boot and took the stage wearing a beautiful gown.

I'd wager half the audience were children under 10 and their parents. Some of them looked as young as 5 but the Esplanade doesn't usually admit under-6s so perhaps I'm wrong. I overheard the dad in front of me ask his son, do you know this piece. Sons nods no, irritated. Such idols to aspire to at such a young age.

I remember someone telling me that muzak maestro Richard Clayderman sells out the indoor stadium every time he's here because of all the kids and their parents who go and watch. Some even say that it's because of his popularity that the number of piano students in places like China surged. Clayderman has even shared the stage with other young pianists such as Clare Yeo (another HSBC award recipient) and Benjamin Boo. Wonder if Janell will inspire more to take up the violin.

As for her talent, we'll just have to wait and see. She obviously has more music in her than the average 14 year-old, and she doesn't appear to be hothoused or Suzuki-trained, but is she a child prodigy? Only time will tell.

I asked my piano-teacher friend the ideal time to start classes and he thinks if the child is musically inclined and sings and dances spontaneously, you could start at 4, else 5. Just in case anyone was wondering.

ToyBox and Museum Toddlers

While on museums, you might have seen the highly-entertaining duo Reuben Tupaz and Mark de Silva who are ToyBox and conduct the Museum Toddler programme.

Kindermusik has nothing on these guys.

Reuben is the main storyteller and he's a hoot to watch with his hangdog expression and enthusiasm. Mark on the guitar provides laconic musical accompaniment. He's accredited in Orff Schulwerk but I think he'd still be really good without it. Think The Odd Couple making music with all the repartee in-between. Fun, original and really hummable songs - and lots of interaction make this pair a pleasure to watch without overwhelming kids, like most kids entertainment these days seem to seek to do.

We caught them last at The Better Toy Store at Ngee Ann City last month, and they're on again on 7th April at the other outlet in Tanglin Mall, 2nd floor, 4pm. If you can't make that, they do such regular shows on and off, so get on their mailing list, quick! Or join their regular classes at The BoogieBug at various locations.

And someone please give these guys their own TV show.