Classical Musician

The GREAT BIG Orchestra – inspiring the next generation

If you are looking for the ideal introduction to orchestral instruments for very young children, look no further than The Great Big Orchestra!

  • The Great Big Orchestra a 10-minute concert piece piece for symphony orchestra, composed by Peter Gritton, compacted here to a 7-minute video with vibrant illustrations by Frankie Gritton. It is an ideal opener for a concert aimed at children – a very Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra! Listeners are guided through the piece by a narrator and there is an anthem to sing at the end – ‘We believe in the Great Big Orchestra!” The words are an inspirational affirmation and bring the work to its climax.

The latest GBO releases are:

  • The Birthday Party (focus on Orchestral Percussion) is a 10-minute concert piece for narrator, orchestral percussion and piano (or strings), with opportunities for children to join in on their portable classroom instruments. It was premiered by the talented music staff of James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) in May 2024. Check out the book version of The Birthday Party with illustrations by Frankie Gritton bringing the story and the instruments even more to life. Footage of a performance of  can be viewed here to help those wishing to put on a performance to do so effectively.
  • String City (focus on Orchestral Strings) is a 15-minute work for narrator and string orchestra and was premiered as a concert piece by JAGS String Orchestra in Southwark Cathedral in March 2025. String City is already being enjoyed in primary school workshops in South London, enhanced by Frankie Gritton imaginative illustrations.
  • “The Land of Aerophonia” (Wind & Brass) – is being piloted in schools in 2025-26 and made generally available during the Summer of 2026.

In short, the GBO series opens children’s eyes and ears at such a formative time. Hopefully when they show an affinity towards a certain instrument and begin to learn. Once they have made a solid start on their chosen instrument, you could consider putting on:

Please do contact Peter Gritton on info@petergritton.com if you want to hire materials or quite simply want to know more about the GBO concept.