We started producing family concerts for the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in 1998. The ideas sometimes come from us, sometimes from the artists we employ and occasionaly the result of throwing ideas at each other and seeing what happens. Production involvement also varies.

With Minken Fossheims concerts she provides the script and we come with ideas for stage settings, lighting and of course the music involved. On other occassions we create the entire product from beginning to end. We listen and learn and hopefully will go on to creating more and better concerts.

At the beginning of 2002 we had the idea of creating a concert based on the life of Maria von Trapp. We needed a presenter. Why not ask princess Martha Louise someone suggested. Well er... We contacted Stageway and was given a chance to plead our case. So of we went to the palace and managed to persuade the Princess that we had a good idea. Contracts were signed and everything was set. Unfortunately the Princess became ill and we were left just before the concert and we left with just over a week to find a replacement. A popular T.V. presenter Asgeir Borgermoen agreed to take over and the project was a huge success.

We try to keep our programmes classically based and soon realised that some audience involvement is pretty important. Where possible we try to promote local artists (both children and adults), use soloists from the orchestra and cross the various elements of cultural life.

There are few things more inspirational for children than to watch other children perform but we must not forget the grandparents. In reality we have to try to cater for 3 generations.