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Activities and Resources for Families and Schools

Explore and download activities, resources and online concerts, whether you’re discovering music at home, at nursery or in the classroom.

For Under-5s (Early Years Foundation Stage)

An illustration of Jemma, the main character of Jemma's Journey, and animals from the zoo on a train.

Jemma’s Journey

For Under-5s

A free interactive concert, including seven songs to sing and play along to, and a fun musical activity pack. Take a trip to the zoo with Jemma and her family, and join our musicians and presenter Vanessa for a music-filled day out.

Jemma’s Journey: More information

Fergal the dragon, from the story Fergal is Fuming!, conducting music from a podium.

Fergal is Fuming!

For Under-5s

A free online re-imagining of Robert Starling’s much-loved children’s book. Watch the video on YouTube, sing along to the songs, and download our activity pack for a range of fun musical activities for under-5s, ideal for parents, carers and nurseries.

Fergal is Fuming!: More information

For Age 5+ (Key Stage 1)

The character Olivia from the children's book Olivia Forms a Band

Olivia Forms a Band

For Age 5+

Join Rachel Leach and musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra for a fun, interactive concert, based on the popular children’s book Olivia Forms a Band by Ian Falconer. Sing or play along to three original songs, hear pieces of classical music performed by LSO musicians and see illustrations from the book on screen.

Olivia Forms a Band: More information

For Ages 5–12 (Key Stages 1 & 2)

A still taken from the online concert Where's Simon, featuring Sir Simon Rattle conducting the London Symphony Orchestra remotely in lockdown.

Where’s Simon?

For Ages 5–12 (Key Stages 1 & 2)

A fun online concert, recorded during lockdown, featuring Sir Simon Rattle and musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra. Meet our musicians and find out all about the different instruments of the orchestra.

Where’s Simon?: More information

For Age 7+ (Key Stage 2)

Space … but as not as we know it

For Ages 7–12 (Key Stage 2)

Find out what happens when an orchestra has to keep its distance! In this free online concert, presenter Rachel Leach and the LSO explore the separation of sounds, how music travels around an orchestra, and what you can hear between the notes.

Space: More information

Leon and the Place Between, from the book written by Angela McAllister, illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith.

Leon and the Place Between

For Ages 7–12 (Key Stage 2)

A free interactive concert for families and schools, inspired by the magical book by Angela McAllister and illustrated by Grahame Baker-Smith, with performances by LSO musicians, resources to download, and the chance to sing and play along.

Leon and the Place Between: More information

An illustration of brass players in the London Symphony Orchestra.

How to Build an Orchestra

For Ages 7–12 (Key Stage 2)

Discover everything about orchestras and their instruments in this beautifully illustrated childrens’ book, produced in association with Hachette Children‘s Group, with accompanying CDs and downloadable music.

How to Build an Orchestra: More information

A split-screen of different sections in the London Symphony Orchestra, taken from the web app LSO Play

LSO Play

For Everyone from Age 7+

A free, interactive and immersive web app, allowing you to experience the LSO on stage at the Barbican – anytime, anywhere.

View the orchestra from four camera angles simultaneously, and switch between them during the performance. You can focus on anything from the tips of a drumstick to the violinists’ fingers.

Find teacher resource packs for Key Stage 2 and 3 to use in classroom music lessons, Listening Activities for young people to do at home or in school, as well as masterclasses with LSO players and listening guides with information on the musical background

Discover LSO Play

Animateur Rachel Leach introducing a concert at LSO St Luke's

Rachel Leach’s Lockdown Listening

For Ages 7–12 (Key Stage 2)

A series of musical listening tasks, devised and introduced by Rachel Leach. Every activity can done with the minimum of preparation and equipment – often just paper and pens – and can be achieved in under 10 minutes.

Lockdown Listening: Watch on YouTube

The Alice Sound

For Ages 7–12 (Key Stage 2)

Delve into the captivating world of Lewis Carroll’s Alice books, hear brand-new music created by composer Paul Rissmann, performed by the London Symphony Orchestra, sing and play along, and explore a range of resources and activities from professor Kiera Vaclavik.

Visit the Alice Sound Website

For Age 16+ (A-Level / Key Stage 5)

A-Level Seminars

For Age 16+  (A-Level / Key Stage 5)

A YouTube playlist of seminars to support students studying for A-level Music, with in-depth analysis of set works and performances from LSO musicians.

A-Level Seminars: Watch on YouTube

A-Level Revision Shorts

For Age 16+  (A-Level / Key Stage 5)

A YouTube playlist of revision shorts from LSO Discovery, presented by Rachel Leach, to support students studying Music A-level.

A-Level Revision Shorts: Watch on YouTube

Teaching Platforms

Teacher Resource packs and LSO Play Listening Tasks for Key Stages 2 and 3 can be found on tes.com and the Apple iBooks store.

View LSO resources on TES.com

To view the LSO resources on Apple iBooks store, search ‘LSO Discovery’ in the iBooks app on Mac, iPad or iPhone.