Children, Young People, Community and Talent Development have long been at the heart of our work as a charity, shaping a programme that supports artists, engages families, and removes barriers to participation. From nurturing emerging musicians through initiatives like The Artists Room, to inspiring young audiences through our Far, Far Away schools’ partnership with Aurora Orchestra, these projects reflect our commitment to access, creativity, and lifelong engagement with music.
Sun 27 Sep – RNS Moves
RNS Moves is a one-of-a-kind musical ensemble made up of professional disabled musicians and non-disabled members of Royal Northern Sinfonia. Together, they pioneer a new style of inclusive music-making with improvisation and experimentation at its heart. Their performance gave audience members a chance to slow down, switch off, and immerse themselves in beautiful music.
Thu 20 Aug – Women @ The Well Festival Performance
Kings Place supported Women at The Well’s first mini festival, where singer-songwriter Ellie Gowers performed beautiful music in the courtyard. The afternoon brought together music, a BBQ, face glitter, mocktails, nail painting, arts and crafts, and special guests including Patricia Leman, Mayor of Camden, and actress Ann Mitchell, offering a joyful space for relaxation, creativity, and community.
Sat 18 Jul – Brass on the Grass
We hosted pop-up performances at two different locations, including family-friendly concerts with London-based quintet Connaught Brass. One performance formed part of a community celebration of the New Story Garden at Global Generation’s new site, bringing families, local residents and visitors together through music and creative activity, while highlighting King’s Place’s commitment to connecting communities through live performance.
Frozen Light Theatre
From 2023 to 2025, Kings Place partnered with Kings Cross Summer Sounds, Arts Trust and Frozen Light Theatre, to present Fire Songs, a pioneering multi-sensory performance created for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). The three-year collaboration formed an important part of our commitment to making high-quality artistic experiences accessible to all.
Produced by Frozen Light, a leading company specialising in theatre for audiences with PMLD, Fire Songs combined original music, immersive sensory elements and community participation to create a joyful and engaging experience. Performed with the King’s Cross Summer Sounds Choir, the production invited audiences into a world of wonder, connection and discovery.
The partnership also helped Kings Place deepen its inclusive practice, exploring accessible front-of-house approaches, audience care and welcoming environments. Across three years, the programme reached audience members, carers and families, demonstrating the value of culturally enriching experiences designed specifically for people with PMLD.
‘An extremely personal and intimate show that was entirely accessible to my son with PMLD. The cast were amazing at quietly and confidently engaging my son, and others, in the show using props that stimulated all the senses. I’ve never seen my son so engaged in anything before. My jaw hurt from smiling so much.’ Participant Feedback
Fri 25 Sep – Anna McLuckie
Anna McLuckie is a Scottish singer, songwriter and Clàrsach player. Raised on classical and traditional music, Anna’s writing draws on her musical beginnings and also takes influence from her love of popular music and more experimental sounds. This was part of our Young Artist Platform which is an exciting initiative supporting early-career musicians at the start of their professional journeys, offering a visible and high-profile performance opportunity.
Sun 20 Sep – Casey Whyte Quartet
Casey Whyte, a 19-year-old jazz and classical violinist and composer in her second year studying jazz at the Royal Academy of Music, performed her folk-infused jazz compositions and arrangements with her own band, The Casey Whyte Quartet. This was part of our Young Artist Platform, which is an exciting initiative supporting early-career musicians at the start of their professional journeys, offering a visible and high-profile performance opportunity.
Fri 18 Sep – d&b audiotechnik Careers Workshop
We partnered with d&b audiotechnik to offer a free, hands-on workshop for a closed group of sound engineering students from Capital City College and London Contemporary College of Music. This two-hour session introduced participants to professional sound systems, immersive audio and live sound desk operation, with demonstrations and a Q&A led by industry experts
Mon 24 Aug – Islington Fair
We were delighted to be part of the Islington Sustainability Fair, continuing to build connections within our local community. As part of this vibrant, family-friendly event, we presented a Young Artist Platform Jazz duo, offering live music to accompany the day and create a warm, welcoming atmosphere as visitors explored the stalls.
Fri 29 May – The Artists Room
The Artists Room, led by Ivor Novello Award-winning artist Renell Shaw, was an inspiring and impactful masterclass that brought together both emerging and established artists. Participants had the opportunity to reflect on their musical identity, gain valuable insight into the realities of the music industry, and explore practical steps towards building a sustainable creative career on Friday 29 May.
“It is rare to find a session that balances practical industry knowledge with genuine personal wisdom so seamlessly. Anyone pursuing a creative or music career would walk away with something valuable.” Participant Feedback
Kings Place Music Foundation has partnered with our Resident Ensemble, Aurora Orchestra, to present Far Far Away for families and local primary schools. This award-winning series of immersive, storytelling concerts, created by Aurora, is devised for children aged 0–7 and interweaves specially arranged classical chamber music with original stories, featuring highly interactive, multi-sensory, and joyful musical adventures.
Sun 20 Sep & Thu 20 Aug – KPJO Open Rehearsals
We have now hosted several Open Rehearsals, with over 70 young musicians attending to observe the orchestra in action, ask questions, and soak up the inspiring atmosphere. The energy was incredible, with vibrant exchanges between the KPJO members and the next generation of young musicians. Another Open Rehearsal is coming up in December, do keep an eye on our website to sign up for this event!
Sat 19 Sep – Mini Folk Gigs
We welcomed little humans and their guardians for a joyful afternoon of live music, creativity and connection. The Mini Folk gigs featured Adam & Friends, led by acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter Adam Beattie. Drawing on his Scottish folk roots and years of storytelling through song, Adam brought a warm, intimate style that felt equally at home in a cosy living room or a concert hall. Everyone joined in with giant LEGO, shaker eggs, animal mask-making and more!
Thu 6 Aug – Industry Careers Day for MEI Music Makers
We hosted a Careers Day at Kings Place for a closed-group project delivered in partnership with Music Education Islington for young musicians. The day gave participants a behind-the-scenes insight into careers in live music and the arts, with opportunities to hear from artists and professionals, explore different roles in the sector, and gain a deeper understanding of how a major music venue operates in the heart of Central London.
Megson Family Folk Shows
A highlight of our folk programme each year is the Megson Family Folk Show – a joyful, toe‑tapping concert packed with sing‑along songs, lively tunes and plenty of fun for little ones and grown‑ups alike!
Paid Event
Further family-oriented events are programmed throughout the year. Explore them here.