The team behind Highgate's boutique classical music festival have visited three Haringey Primary Schools to inspire the next generation of players with special story concerts.

Highgate International Chamber Music Festival (HICMF) features seven concerts at St Anne's Church in Highgate West Hill, including a Vivaldi to Debussy night where they will seek donations for Haringey Young Musicians - the charity supporting the out-of-school programme run by Haringey Music Service.

Concerned over dwindling funding and opportunities for music in schools, HICMF co-director Ashok Klouda along with Concerteenies founder Polly Ives visited three schools with the 'Dinosaur Department Store'.

The Dinosaur Department Store was performed at St Francis de Sales School in Tottenham including cello playing by musician Ashok KloudaThe Dinosaur Department Store was performed at St Francis de Sales School in Tottenham including cello playing by musician Ashok Klouda (Image: Courtesy of HICMF)

St Paul's and All Hallows, The Mulberry School, and St Francis de Sales Schools in Tottenham all saw the musical reimagining of Lily Murray and Richard Merritt's story about feisty Eliza Jane, who doesn't like bedtime or broccoli and has her heart set on a prehistoric pet.

With illustrations and text projected on to a screen, the concert includes a cello underscore and the children learning several songs.

Ashok and Polly were impressed with the spirited singing and deafening roars from children at all three schools, and teachers were delighted with the visit.

One teacher at St Francis commented: “Everyone can’t stop raving at how amazing this was. The children can’t stop talking about how they want to take up an instrument! It was so inspiring!”Finchley raised music star Jacob Collier is backing the festival in performing a fresh arrangement of his song Hideaway and supporting the Highgate Young Musicians charity.Finchley raised music star Jacob Collier is backing the festival in performing a fresh arrangement of his song Hideaway and supporting the Highgate Young Musicians charity. (Image: Supplied)

At the Friday December 6th fundraising concert, young musicians from Haringey Schools will perform a fresh arrangement of ’Hideaway’ by Jacob Collier.

The musician started out playing and uploading songs to YouTube in his Finchley bedroom, garnering millions of hits and being catapulted to worldwide fame.

He said: "I’m thoroughly delighted that the Festival are presenting a brand new instrumental arrangement of my song ‘Hideaway’, as part of their concert, raising funds for Haringey Young Musicians.

"Every young person deserves access to music in some shape or form, and its significance is boundless - beyond words. Unless a person knows the feeling of singing in a choir or playing in a band, it’s impossible to explain its depth and connectivity. The sharp decline in numbers of young people taking music forward at GCSE and A-Level is deeply concerning, and all of us who cherish and value music need to take whatever action we can.

"I grew up in North London, listening to the constant stream of inspiring sounds coming from our front room, where my mother Suzie taught the violin. One of her students was Thomas Gould, who’ll be performing ‘Hideaway’ with local school children and clarinettist Julian Bliss.

"‘Hideaway’ holds a special place in my heart – it was the first real ‘song’ I ever wrote, and it’s about that childhood place of sanctuary. I know these musicians are going to bring it a whole new warmth. As music lover, makers and supporters, we can all play our part in ensuring great music is gifted to the next generation."

Those donating to Haringey Young Musicians at the December 6th HICMF concert will be entered into a prize draw to win Royal Opera House box tickets and the chance to see Jacob Collier at Union Chapel on 12th December.