Melbourne Recital Centre Announces Its 2019 Program For Music Play Family Festival

Melbourne Recital Centre announces its 2019 program for Music Play Family Festival, covering four days of concerts, workshops and fun free activities just for families, including standout performances by James Morrison, Melbourne Youth Orchestra and Romanian pianist Alexandra Dariescu.

Each year the Festival is eagerly awaited by audiences young and old. The Centre is renowned for presenting the world's finest musicians and bands on its stages, and Music Play unleashes the musician, composer, rock star or rap artist in all of us.

2019 is Melbourne Recital Centre's 10th Anniversary, which makes the Festival an occasion to celebrate all families and their stories of enjoying great music at the Centre. For many children, Music Play will be their first time attending a live performance or playing an instrument. Director of Programming Marshall McGuire says:

'In our 10th Anniversary year, Music Play is brighter and bigger than ever before. You can see and hear The Nutcracker in a mesmerising new production with live music and dance interacting with projected images. The Bush Concert is a uniquely Australian way to meet the orchestra, and James Morrison, Australia's great man of jazz, always amazes with his astonishing musicianship.'

Along with big concerts in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall, there is an array of mini concerts for the little ones held daily in Primrose Potter Salon. The Lullaby Project has parents and kids under two years relaxing to soothing lullabies. Children discover a perfect introduction to pop and rock music with The Kiddyrock Band, and Inventi Ensemble performs Peter & the Wolf, with a new narration.

As always there is plenty of learning going on, from singing, dancing and music-making in Song Play to learning a new instrument in Woody Clark's The Ukulele Kids Show - ukuleles provided!
Other highlights are the fabulous workshops. Learning & Access Coordinator Belinda Ashe says:

'We are excited to be presenting a range of fun interactive workshops for families. Children of all ages will have the chance to learn how to beatbox, write a song, play percussion or even sign a pop song in Auslan - the language of the Australian Deaf Community.'

All this plus free foyer activities including Open Stage, a photo booth and face painting, hosted by Madame Lark.

'There's an open stage where kids can perform for us all, and Madame Lark - slightly spooky, slightly kooky, but always willing to share a birdsong with you - will roam throughout the venue for the whole festival. Make sure you meet her! There's music of all sorts, for audiences of all ages. What better way to start our 10th Anniversary than with a big party where music for kids and families is the focus,' says Marshall McGuire.

FESTIVAL DETAILS
Music Play Family Festival 2019
Wednesday 16 - Saturday 19 January 2019 daily from 9am
Melbourne Recital Centre
Tickets from $10
Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre
Music Play is supported by The Betty Amsden Kids & Families Program

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