Music Time (TV programme) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Music Time |
|
|---|---|
| Genre | Educational |
| Presented by | Mari Griffith (1970-72) Ian Humphris (1970-72) Kathryn Harries (1977-81) Peter Combe (1977-80) Andrew C. Wandsworth (1981) Jonathan Cohen (1983-91) Helen Speirs (1983-91) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 24 |
| No. of episodes | 225 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 20 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | BBC1 (1970-81) BBC2 (1983-91) |
| Picture format | 4:3 |
| Original release | 23 September 1970 – 18 March 1991 |
Music Time was a popular British TV show that helped kids learn about music. It was part of the BBC Schools programmes, which were made for students. The show ran for a long time, from September 23, 1970, to March 18, 1991.
Many presenters hosted Music Time over the years. Mari Griffith and Ian Humphris started the show in the early 1970s. Later, Kathryn Harries and Peter Combe took over. In its final years, Jonathan Cohen and Helen Speirs were the hosts. The show first aired on BBC1 and then moved to BBC2.
Contents
Learning Music with Music Time
Music Time was made for primary school children, usually aged 7 to 9. It taught them many fun things about music. The show helped kids learn how to sing and play instruments.
What the Show Taught
The programme also explained basic music theory. This means it taught about how music is put together. Kids learned about rhythm, melody, and harmony. They also learned about performing music.
Music Performances and Stories
A big part of Music Time was its songs. These songs were simple and easy to understand. Often, they were part of a bigger musical story or play. Schools could even perform these plays themselves.
Sometimes, the show would feature a pantomime in the autumn. These were fun, musical plays. Music Time also showed animated films. These cartoons were often based on famous classical music pieces. Examples include Coppélia, Lieutenant Kijé, and Háry János.
A Look at Some Episodes
Music Time had 24 series and a total of 225 episodes. Each episode was about 20 minutes long. Here are a few examples of the many musical adventures the show took kids on:
| # | Title | Original Air Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Peter and the Wolf" | 23 September 1970 – 2 December 1970 | |
|
This series introduced children to the famous musical story of Peter and the Wolf.
|
|||
| 05 | "Coppélia (1972)" | 12 January 1972 – 22 March 1972 | |
|
This series explored the music from the ballet Coppélia.
|
|||
| 10 | "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" | 18 September 1978 – 27 November 1978 | |
|
Children learned about sounds in different places and enjoyed music from The Nutcracker.
|
|||
| 12 | "Lieutenant Kijé" | 14 January 1980 – 24 March 1980 | |
|
This series taught about musical elements like fast and slow, and featured music from Lieutenant Kijé.
|
|||
| 15 | "The Sleeping Beauty" | 16 January 1984 – 26 March 1984 | |
|
Kids explored rhythm, tune shapes, and harmony, with music from The Sleeping Beauty ballet.
|
|||
| 17 | "Háry János" | 14 January 1985 – 25 March 1985 | |
|
This series focused on grouping beats and melody, featuring the Hungarian folk opera Háry János.
|
|||
| 21 | "Pictures at an Exhibition" | 15 January 1990 – 26 March 1990 | |
|
Children discovered how music can paint pictures, inspired by the famous piece Pictures at an Exhibition.
|
|||
| 24 | "The Planets" | 7 January 1991 – 18 March 1991 | |
|
The final series took viewers on a musical journey through space, exploring Gustav Holst's The Planets.
|
|||
