We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve been shortlisted in the People category of the Arts and Business Scotland Awards this year, for our partnership with A1 Toys! Together we’ve been able to take interactive and inclusive concerts into Additional Support Needs schools in Glasgow, which has been a fantastic experience for all involved. A1 have also donated some brilliant prizes for our Halloween concert costume competitions, and they’re offering the amazing trolley dash star prize for the third time this year at Magic and Monsters! Find out more below…

The innovative partnership between Children’s Classic Concerts and superhero sponsors A1 Toys blasted onto the CCC stage in 2010 when A1 sponsored CCC’s opening concert of the season ‘Heroes vs Villains’ with in-kind sponsorship that saw Darth Vader, a menacing team of storm troopers and a real-size (and moving!) Dalek infiltrate the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Usher Hall stages. Our audiences were enthralled and a dream partnership was born. A1 have allowed us to make use of imaginative costumes, jaw-dropping props and they’ve created a fantastic vibe surrounding our Halloween costume competition; maximising audience engagement and generating real excitement in the run up to the concerts.

Last year’s Monsters’ Ball was no exception – hundreds of entries were judged by an esteemed panel, including: a member of A1 Toys’ management team, Gail Burns; CCC Board members and Iona Barker – who’s worked in wardrobe at the Hydro, dressing the likes of Dolly Parton, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and quite aptly, Lady Gaga (whose fans are literally ‘little monsters’). Together they narrowed down the competition to 4 finalists who put in a terrifyingly tremendous effort. The overall winner, 7 year old Maddie McGregor, came to the ball as Valka from How to Train Your Dragon – she was a vision in paper mâché and really stood out from the crowd. The trolley dash event was held and filmed in the Silverburn store on 25th November 2014 (Christmas came a month early for Maddie) with a 30-second live devilish drumming soundtrack by Owen and Olly for extra encouragement. In the video below, A1 Toys’ staff can be seen giving her a helping hand and willing her on!

Last season, Owen and Olly devised and presented a superhero programme with all the thrills and spills of the CCC concert hall experience designed to be small-scale but high-impact, enabling pupils with moderate learning difficulties and those with multiple, complex needs to participate together in a valuable creative experience. They visited Milton, Linburn and Newhills schools, and were given a warm welcome by everyone.

From Owen and Olly’s virtuosic opening piece and the question ‘we all have a super power, what’s yours?’ the theme provided a relevant and meaningful educational context which brought about really positive and sometimes uncharacteristic reactions. One pupil was initially overwhelmed with the large percussion set-up and completely opposed to entering the room. Until Iron Man caught his eye, that is. As a real fan of superhero comics, he overcame his anxiety and sat beside the figure, holding its hand. He relaxed as the concert progressed and stayed for the 40-minute duration (something unprecedented; usually his limit is 10). His carer was further astonished when at the end he had the confidence to play Olly’s drum and actively participate – a true break-through. Without A1’s contribution, this simply wouldn’t have been possible. The head teacher presented achievement awards acknowledging pupils’ response to the concert; a most special ceremony with Iron Man still in attendance.

A1’s crucial input with costumes and props meant that a visually appealing and informal environment was created breaking down barriers to inclusion.

Long may the partnership continue!!