CBBC orchestrates introduction of classical music to children

20 Apr, 2009 - 11:26 AM IST     |     By ITV

MUMBAI: Classical music meets pop head on in Clash, a new six-episode series for CBBC which sees BBC Radio 1 DJs Bobby Friction and Nihal join forces with musically-talented children to revamp two well-known classical pieces into pop tracks which will appeal to people who don't normally enjoy classical music.

Classical musician former pop star and TV presenter Myleene Klass provides the voice over for the series.

Executive Producer Elaine Bancroft says, "Clash will be a rollercoaster ride right across the musical spectrum taking in everything from Mozart to the Noisettes."

Whether they're beat-boxers, bassoonists or buskers, the children will form two teams headed by the DJs to deconstruct and re-work a classical piece, mixing musical styles and blending beats before finally going head-to-head against each other with their new orchestrated musical piece.

Each team will be mentored over the course of the six-week run. Cellist, pianist, composer and conductor Jason Lai, last seen mentoring Sue Perkins to victory in Maestro will head one team while composer and creative director of I'd Do Anything, Tim Steiner will head the other.

During the course of the series, the two teams will face a series of fun technical challenges and get advice from musical professionals as they immerse themselves in music to create the mother of all mash-ups.

For the grand finale, the teams can use dancers, decks and audio-visual extras to enhance their finished orchestral piece. In order to win, they must impress a live audience who aren't fans of classical music.