Join brave young Peter as he overcomes his fear of a big bad wolf in Sergei Prokofiev’s classic Peter and the Wolf played on York Minster’s recently-refurbished Grand Organ.

Hear captivating instrumental characterisations of Peter’s animal friends as a live feed of the cathedral’s marvellous organ being played by Ben Morris, Assistant Director of Music at York Minster, is shown on screens to the audience. Using special stops on the organ, Ben will guide young listeners through the sounds of this magnificent instrument. The performance will be narrated by Stuart Perry, the Silly History Boys’ silliest boy.

Prokofiev’s familiar and accessible composition is the perfect introduction to classical music. During the performance, children are encouraged to move and sit on cushions and rugs at the front of the Nave to get the best possible view of the organ.

The performance will take place on Tuesday 13 February and will last approximately one hour. Children are encouraged to bring a toy with them and are welcome to come dressed in their pyjamas ready for bed, but remember to wrap up warm! A buggy park will be available.

Tickets for the family concert are now on sale HERE or by calling our Bookings Team on 01904 557200. Tickets cost £8 for an adult and £6 for a child. A family ticket of £22 for two adults and two children is also available. Children over the age of two need their own seat.

The performance is recommended for ages 5 to 95!

Organist and narrator details:

Dr Benjamin Morris, organist

Benjamin Morris is Assistant Director of Music at York Minster. In this role, he plays for services and accompanies the choir in the Minster’s daily cycle of music, in concerts, tours, recordings and broadcasts, and assists in the training of the boy and girl choristers.

Prior to this, he was Organ Scholar and then Assistant Organist at Jesus College, Cambridge, graduating with First-class honours in Music. Before starting university, Ben spent a year as Organ Scholar at Gloucester Cathedral.

With recent venues including Sage Gateshead, Selby Abbey, Leeds Town Hall and Westminster Cathedral, Ben is active as a soloist for recitals and other performances. He has performed as organ soloist under Sir Roger Norrington, Howard Shelley, Paul McCreesh, and Sir Stephen Cleobury, and has played organ and harpsichord continuo alongside His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, The Saraband Consort and Britten Sinfonia. He is a prizewinning Fellow of the Royal College of Organists.

Stuart Perry, narrator  

Stuart Perry trained at Bretton Hall earning his BA (Hons) in Theatre Acting. He is an accomplished singer and actor with a specialism in theatrical combat.

Stuart can now be seen travelling around the country with the Silly History Boys, a comedy history troupe that Stuart co-created. His storytelling and character work can be found on their ‘Silly History Boys Show’ podcast. Available for free on all good podcast platforms.