Gaspard the Fox

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Do you think Gaspard and his friends will return in a sequel? Do you think your childhood tortoise, Fred, might make an appearance? The RSNO National Schools Concert Programme introduces thousands of primary school pupils across Scotland to classical music each year through a series of live concerts, in-school workshops, accompanying learning resources, and CPD sessions for teachers. The programme is only open to schools in Scotland due to licensing. If you teach at a Scottish school but are currently based outside Scotland, you are welcome to register for the programme providing the details of the school at which you teach.

Book Two will be published in August and I’m already working on a third. Fred is yet to make an appearance, but you’ve just given me an idea 😉 Equipping teachers with the skills and increased knowledge that they need to confidently deliver music in the classroom.What is it like seeing your story illustrated with such beautiful, warm artwork by James Mayhew? What was your working relationship like? What do you think James’s illustrations add to the story? As with the first two Gaspard adventures, this story centres around a real community event – this time an open-air concert at Hyde Park. Gaspard the fox walks with her friend Finty the dog to the bus stop and when Finty’s owner drops her scarf, Gaspard instinctively catches it and hops on board to return the lost garment. Thus he ends up on the number 38 travelling through central London, admiring the sights and disembarking at Hyde Park for the climatic concert. Enhancing and enriching children’s learning through partnerships with professional arts companies, creative adults, and cultural organisations. It’s a story about friendship and being accepted for who you are. Gaspard makes two new friends: Peter the Cat, who has cultivated his own unique identity and a dog named Finty that, instead of chasing Gaspard away (as you’d expect), thinks it’s brilliant to have a fox as her friend. Not everyone thinks Foxes are welcome in the city, so there are kind and unkind humans in the book and I hope children will see how wonderful and exciting it is to share the urban environment with all living creatures. Gaspard is undoubtedly a handsome fox, in life as in the story but there is a prominent tear through one ear. Gaspard isn’t perfect and that’s an important message too. Described by the Telegraphas ‘the go-to person for music narration’,Zeb performs with the UK’s leading orchestras, narrating children’s classics such as Peter and the Wolfand technically demanding works such as Walton's Façadewhich he recorded to critical acclaim with John Wilson.

The landmarks Zeb and James decided to show are not the usual tourist attractions and give a really authentic feel to the ‘real’ London such as the beloved James Smith & Sons umbrella shop in Bloomsbury and the Pyramid spire with a unicorn statue! The story provides both a visual treat and a historic journey through London’s capital. Without giving too much away, can you tell us a bit more about Gaspard the Fox and what inspired this story?This session is repeated – you do not need to attend both.) Gaspard’s Foxtrot in Concert release: Monday 10May Unfortunately, the programme is only open to schools. We would encourage you to share the programme with your child’s teacher/school and ask them to consider registering. Children’s publishing follows trends and the current one seems focused on encouraging children to be themselves, to celebrate their uniqueness, and to own their differences. This is admirable and desirable but sometimes, after the umpteenth title declaring the same message, it is a treat and a privilege to read a book that focuses on more traditional approaches to storytelling – ie actually telling a story! And this is where Zeb Soanes’ and James Mayhew’s gorgeous picture book, Gaspard the Fox, comes in. Yes – the programme and resources have been developed in consultation with a SEND music education specialist. The video learning resources and concert film will include British Sign Language interpretation, optional subtitles, and accompanying Boardmaker resources.

Providing opportunities for children to deepen their understanding of culture in Scotland and the wider world. He is also the creator of the Katie art books and Ella Bella Ballerina series. He has worked with many orchestras and musicians including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, painting illustrations live on stage to performances of classical music, including The Firebird, Scheherazade and Pictures at an Exhibition. As your child becomes familiar with the story they may like to join in as you read for example with the sound effects and some of the conversations. Talk about the story The vocabulary is delightfully challenging. Phrases such as ‘civilise the bees’ and ‘brightly lit signs enticed tourists’, make this a joy to read aloud and ideal for enriching children’s own writing. The story really does read well. I laughed out loud when Peter, who is my favourite character (as both a cat lover and a lexophile!), fell off the sofa in surprise to see his fox pal take the stage. I don’t like feeling I’m being preached at, so I hope the themes in the Gaspard books are almost homeopathic … just there, running throughout.

Gaspard's Foxtrot was created in partnership with

With a variety of in-person and digital opportunities for young learners, primary and secondary schools, and teachers, this year’s activity builds on last year’s successful National Schools Concert Programme, ensuring that everyone can take part.