Saturday 4th February we are helping South Shields Library celebrate National  Love your Library Day with singing and musical fun for under sixes from 10.30-11 and 11.15-11.45. Come and join us – it’s FREE! participants need to book to reserve a place as places are limited. Booking can be made on 0191 4247885.

7th February 2012 Newcastle upon Tyne  -  second meeting of Sound Ideas training and networking group – give it a go! £10 per person or £7.50 for Piccolo Licensees.

7th February 2012 Piccolo sessions for UsefulVision –  11-12noon a free early years group for babies/ toddlers with a vision impairment. info@usefulvision.org.uk for details

13th- 18th February – half term, no Piccolo sessions. Also none the week before in Whitley Bay on 8th Feb, due to Scout hut being closed.

February 21st 2012 Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne: Piccolo runs singing and music sessions at the Centre for Life on these days dedicated to under fives; entry to the centre is £5.50 for adults and under fives accompanying them are free! There are lots of activities and of course lots of singing – a great fun day once a month: - also on April 17th, May 15th, June 19th, 2012

24th February 2012 Musical fun and games for developing children’s speaking and listening skills – training workshop run by Newcastle City Council for those working with 2-5′s at schools or in EY settings. Also Percussion play for 2-5 year olds on 15th March. £40 per trainee. Contact georgina.biddle@newcastle.gov.uk for details and bookings.

6th March 2012 Piccolo sessions for UsefulVision –  11-12 noon a free early years group for babies/ toddlers with a vision impairment.

info@usefulvision.org.uk

for details

2nd-13th April 2012  Easter Holiday, no Piccolo sessions

April 17th  2012 Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne: Piccolo runs singing and music sessions at the Centre for Life on these days dedicated to under fives; entry to the centre is £5.50 for adults and under fives accompanying them are free! There are lots of activities and of course lots of singing – a great fun day once a month: - also on May 15th, June 19th, 2012

Past Events

January 17th 2012 Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne

23rd January 2012 training workshop run by Newcastle City Council

Sunday 11th December - Family Christmas Singalong Parties for babies and toddlers.

Tuesday 13th December Useful Vision toddler christmas party, Silksworth Wellbeing centre Sunderland

3rd December 2011 2-3pm  we were at EnjoyMuzic,  the big music shop at Royal Quays outlet Shopping centre ,playing our Ukuleles and teaching  adults and children to play too. Everyone was amazing! Jingle Bells sounded brilliant.

November 15th Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne: Piccolo runs singing and music sessions at the Centre for Life on these days dedicated to under fives; entry to the centre is £5.50 for adults and under fives accompanying them are free! There are lots of activities and of course lots of singing – a great fun day once a month: - also on Jan 17, 2012, Feb 21, 2012…

November 19th and 20th North of England Children’s Book Festival, Benfield School Newcastle. Piccolo family singalongs

26th November  Piccolo was at the St Oswalds’ Hospice Christmas Market, singing and selling our CDs and gifts.

7th November second beginners Adult Ukulele group for 4 weeks. Contact us for details or February course or book via shop link on left.

1st November  Newcastle upon Tyne  FREE event  –  first meeting of Sound Ideas training and networking group – why not join us for the next one  6.12.11?

October 18th Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne

11th October Piccolo sessions for UsefulVision -  a free early years group for babies/ toddlers with a vision impairment.

26th September Adult Ukulele group started Monday afternoon for 4 weeks. Contact us for details

20th September Pre school day at Life

27th July and 24th August – Boogle Oogle Family Party – 2  Sessions : 10.15 and 11.30 – Bunting, cake, Free finger puppet and CD we had a ball!

18th August and 1st September- Sing and Tonic for babies and new parents 11am to 12.30. Bunting cake coffee and song- loads of fun and loads of gorgeous babies!

18th June – Piccolo is at Heaton Community Festival in Heaton Park, Newcastle upon Tyne,

29th March -13th June 2011  Maple Lodge Nursery Gosforth – training programme

7th May 2011 Opening of Riverside Centre North Shields as  new Children’s Centre Piccolo is supported this event , providing singing sessions for under fives.

7th June 2011 Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne:  Theme – ‘The Tea Party’

1st March 2011       Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne  THEME:-  “In the Garden”

5th February 2011       North East Special Needs Network day, Newcastle. Piccolo ran running family singing workshops for this event.

8th February 2011       Darlington NCMA childminders’ workshop – evening

22nd March 2011               Newburn Manor Nursery  Ukulele workshop for staff

18th January 2011 Teacher training workshop for North Tyneside Music Service (Primary), focussing on Fun and Practical Ideas for delivering Phase One of ‘Letters and Sounds’, the Government’s National Strategy for teaching children how the alphabet works for reading and spelling. Friday 14th January 2011

11th January 2011 Centre for Life Pre- school day – singing with Piccolo!

5th January 2011  Piccolo training for Freelancers

Workshop for those interested in freelance work with Piccolo, Linskill Centre North Shields

23rd November 2010 Percussion Play for Under Fives – Workshop for Gateshead Early Years Team

If you work in Childcare in Gateshead and are interested in attending this or similar courses, please contact your Early Years training manager for details or Team Valley Sure Start Children’s Centre.

13-14th November 2010 National Childminders Association Annual Conference – Bristol

Piccolo joined childminders from across the UK for their Annual Conference delivering a lively interactive workshop for childminders wanting to sing with their children, teaching them catchy, original songs that children and adults love. The Piccolo song basket has songs for dressing up to, playing with puppets, dancing in circles, clapping games, knee bouncers, finger rhymes, percussion play and more. Delegates went away humming new songs, buzzing with new ideas and bursting with enthusiasm –  just have to sing and smile! Visit www.ncma.org.uk for more information, photos and film footage. See Ode to Childminders for the song we’ve written and which we all sung with gusto at the Conference!

Tuesday 19th October

EYFS Storytime and Songtime for under fives: Workshop – Gateshead

Abi and Anna ran this course for Gateshead SureStart/Early years programme as part of a series of five, so if you work in Childcare in Gateshead and are interested in attending similar courses, please contact your Early Years training manager for details or Team Valley Sure Start Children’s Centre.

Monday 20th Sept.

Early Years Days at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tyne – holiday theme : had a good sing and look forward to being back on November 2nd. See you then!

Sunday September 12th 2010 2pm -3pm

The BIG SING with Piccolo – we celebrated 10 years of singing and helped us raise £265 for Emma Maltby Memorial Fund/Teenage Cancer TrustWe are welcomed anyone who has enjoyed singing with us over the last ten years, plus family and friends to join us for a BIG SING at Linskill Community Centre in North Shields. Had great fun singing lots of favourites and raised the rof with part songs too. Thanks to everyone for all your support.

15th June 2010	Numbers counting and Rhythm – songs for under fives: Workshop – GatesheadAbi and Anna ran this course for Gateshead SureStart/Early years programme as part of a series of five, so if you work in Childcare in Gateshead and are interested in attending similar courses, please contact your Early Years training manager for details or Team Valley Sure Start Children’s Centre.
25th May 2010	Percussion Play for under fives – Workshop – NewcastleAbi and Anna ran this course for Newcastle SureStart/Early years programme, details as above for 6th July entry.
uesday May 4th 20109.30-5pm	Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon TyneAnother fun day out with a Growing theme and lots of Piccolo singing sessions. More planned for next year so keep checking our website for details, or sign up for our mailing list by contacting us.
Tuesday 23rd March 201010-12 noon	Musical Play for Babies under One – Workshop – NewcastleAbi and Anna ran this course for Newcastle SureStart/Early years programme, so if you work in Childcare on Tyneside and are interested in attending similar courses, please contact Virginia Camondo on 0191 2774434 for details. It might be free or a charge is made of about £30, depending on where you work.
Saturday 20th March 20101.15pm and3.30pm	Piccolo Birthday Celebratory Show : Shake Rattle and Sing! at Studio 2 Newcastle PlayhouseA sell out! The show was aimed at 1-4 year olds but younger and older children enjoyed the fun too – not to mention Granny and Grandpa! With songs from our Gold Award winning CD, we had a fun- filled sing-a-long with lots of singing, dancing, puppets and an opportunity to play in the band.
Tuesday March 2nd 20109.30-5pm	Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon TyneAnother fun day out with a My Body theme and lots of singing and musical fun was had by all. Hope to see you at the next one on May 4th!
8th March 2010	Training workshop:Fun and Practical Ideas for delivering Phase One of ‘Letters and Sounds’, the Government’s National Strategy for teaching children how the alphabet works for reading and spelling.Another practical workshop with lots of ideas for enhancing classroom activities supporting early literacy. Arranged by Newcastle LEA Early Years Team.
Tuesday 2nd February 201010-12 noon	How to enjoy percussion instruments with pre-school children – Workshop – NewcastleAbi and Anna will ran this course for Newcastle SureStart/Early years programme, so if you work in Childcare on Tyneside and are interested in attending similar courses, please contact Virginia Camondo on 0191 2774434 for details. It might be free or a charge is made of about £30, depending on where you work.
Tuesday January 19th 20109.30-5pm	Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon TyneAnother fun day out with an Animals theme and a chance to come and sing with Anna Abi and Allison.
November 2nd and 24th 2009Newcastle	Training workshop:Fun and Practical Ideas for delivering Phase One of ‘Letters and Sounds’, the Government’s National Strategy for teaching children how the alphabet works for reading and spelling.These workshop were very popular and trainees left with lots of new ideas for activities and songs to support their Letters and Sounds teaching. Another workshop is taking place in March if you want to look into it.
December 1st 2009 Newcastle10-12 noon	EYFS Songtime and Storytime using Puppets and Props Workshop – NewcastleAbi and Anna will run this course for Newcastle SureStart/Early years programme, so if you work in Childcare on Tyneside and are interested in attending, please contact Virginia Camondo on 0191 2774434 for details. It might be free or a charge is made of about £30, depending on where you work.
November 17th 2009 9.30-5	Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon TyneAnother fun day out with a Snow and Ice theme and a chance to come and sing with Anna Abi and Allison. More dates coming in 2010!
Thursday October 1st2.15-3pm	Older People’s Day : Sing With Piccolo!Abi, Anna and Allison lead a relaxed session of songs and harmonies with the Thursday afternoon social club of the ‘Live at Home Scheme’, at North Shields Methodist Church, to celebrate Older People’s Day.There were great renditions of ‘Fish and Chips/One bottle of Pop’ in three parts, Gospel Medley and ‘Que Sera’ amongst other numbers! We hope to be invited back…Val, who organised the event said “The members said they really enjoyed the session, but would have liked it to be a bit longer! “
September 15th 2009 9.30-5	Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon TynePiccolo had another fun day out with a Dinosaur theme and singing sessions with Anna Abi and Allison.
13th 20th and 27th August 2009	Piccolo ‘Sing and Tonic’ – St Teresa’s Church hall Heaton, NewcastleWe had great sing-a-longs with mums dads and young babies, including several songs with two or even three parts – harmonies were superb! Thanks to everyone who came and sang their hearts out, it was lots of fun and nice to be able to have longer chats and social time afterwards.
8th June 2009 10-12 noon	EYFS Songtime and Storytime using Puppets and Props Workshop – NewcastleAbi and Anna ran this course for Newcastle SureStart/Early years programme, so if you work in Childcare on Tyneside and are interested in similar courses, please contact Virginia Camondo on 0191 2774434 for details. It might be free or a charge is made of about £30, depending on where you work.
3rd June 2009 10am	Washington Town Centre Library, Tyne and Wear – Piccolo sessionFun was had by all at the library, the day after it re-opened after a major re-fit. Lots of children and carers joined in with Anna and Abi, singing old and new songs and making lots of noise with instruments, to celebrate to library re-opening.
April 21st 2009	Early Years Days at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon TyneAnother fun day out for Piccolo….more dates coming soon!
24th February 200910-12 noon	EYFS Songtime and Storytime using Puppets and Props Workshop – NewcastleAbi and Anna delivered this course for Newcastle SureStart/Early years programme, so if you work in Childcare on Tyneside and are interested in similar workshops, please contact Virginia Camondo on 0191 2774434 for details.
23rd January 2009	Early Years Music Conference, for Northumberland County Music Service, Choppington Welfare CentrePiccolo ran workshops focussing on number/counting songs – for teachers in Key Stage one and Foundation Stage Contact. The training was set up by Jill Walker at the music service (01670 533000.)
January 13th 2009 and March 3rd	Early Years Days at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon Tynesee other entries for details – more dates coming up!
2nd December 2008	Enriching the EYFS Curriculum with Music and SongsAbi and Anna delivered this course for Newcastle SureStart/Early years programme, so if you work in Childcare on Tyneside and are interested in similar training, please contact Virginia Camondo on 0191 2774434 for details.
14th November 2008	Hartlepool Children’s Librarians: Training Workshop- Make your Story Time Magical and MusicalAnother training session for Children’s Librarians like the one at Gateshead (below).
23rd September 2008	Gateshead Children’s Librarians: Training Workshop- Make your Story Time Magical and MusicalThis workshop focussed on bringing storytime to life for under fives, (including babies); we looked at using songs, puppets and vocal techniques for making story time fun and entertaining for children and their carers. Trainees received a CD and lots of ideas to enhance their Storytelling/Rhymetime sessions.
19th September 200810-12 noon	Songs and Musical Fun for Toddlers and Pre-school children – Workshop Early Education and Childcare Service, Newcastle Upon TyneThis course was suitable for anyone working with children 22-60 months. Delegates had fun singing old and new songs in lots of different ways – and received a free CD of songs.Topics covered included - Warm up songs to encourage movement and develop co-ordination. - Learning how to make the most of songs already known - Bringing songs to life and encouraging participation and social interaction - Percussion play - Gaining confidence in using singing as an additional resource
16th September 2008	Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon TynePiccolo ran singing and music sessions at the Centre for Life; entry to the centre was £3 for adults and under fives accompanying them were free! There were lots of activities and of course lots of singing – a great fun day, and more of these are planned for 2009.
2nd May 2008	South Shields Librarians Training Workshop- Make your Story Time magical and MusicalThis workshop focussed on bringing storytime to life for under fives, (including babies); we looked at using songs, puppets and vocal techniques for making story time fun and entertaining for children and their carers. Trainees all enjoyed the workshop and left with a CD and lots of ideas to enhance their storytelling sessions; their work involves visiting childcare settings to encourage families to join the library, using materials from the Book Ahead Scheme.
21st April 2008 and 27th June	Early Years Day at the Centre for Life, Newcastle upon TynePiccolo ran running singing and music sessions at the Centre for Life, throughout the day at the first ever Early Years Activity Days.
14th March 2008	Musical Play for Children Under one – Workshop Early Education and Childcare Service, Newcastle Upon TyneThis course was for anyone working with babies aged 0-12 months. We had fun singing old and new songs in lots of different ways – and trainees left with a CD to keep on singing when they got back to work!Abi and Anna deliver this courses for Newcastle SureStart/Early years programme, so if you work in Childcare on Tyneside and are interested, please contact Virginia Camondo on 0191 2774434 for details. It might be free or a charge is made of about £30, depending on where you work.
Friday 8th February 2008	North Tyneside Early Years Conference: The Langdale Centre Wallsend, NewcastleAbi and Anna delivered 2 workshops for delegates at this conference in Newcastle for those working in Early Years – lots of singing and fun was had by all. All delegates received a free CD to take away.
Friday 18th January 2008	Easy Rhymes and songs for Practitioners working with families where English is a second language- 2 hour Workshop Early Education and Childcare Service, Newcastle Upon Tyne (with SureStart)
11th, 12th, 13th Dec 2007	Piccolo Christmas Sessions – ticketed sessions to round off the year, party style!
Friday 23rd November	FREE Christmas Singing Session at Whickham Library with an opportunity to buy Piccolo CDs and Books.
26th June 20073 hours	Songs and Musical Fun for Babies and Toddlers – Workshop Early Education and Childcare Service, Newcastle Upon TyneAn interactive and practical introduction to bringing more music and song into your work with young children. Abi and Anna delivered this popular course for Newcastle SureStart/Early years programme. They are running more courses in 2008/9, so if you work in Childcare on Tyneside and are interested please contact Virginia Camondo on 0191 2774434 for details. Many are free and others just a small charge.
13th May 2007	Alnwick Garden – Walk Fundraising day for Autism SpeaksPiccolo sang through the rain (and boy did it rain!) and helped the charity raise funds at one of their biggest events of the year.
27th April 2007	Tyne Metropolitan College, North TynesideTraining workshop was enjoyed by Childcare students who learned how to bring more music and song into their work with babies and young children.
20th April 2007	Teeny Tots and Tinies – Taster DayA fun morning for all the family when Piccolo sang a few songs, and had a stall selling CDs and thier Wriggle and Giggle book, more events are planned for next year!
January – June 2007	Longbenton Children’s Centre Training Project, NewcastleAbi has been working with Longbenton Children’s Centre to train key staff, and help develop the centre’s use of music and song in their work with babies and under fives. Sessions in the Community have benefitted from Piccolo visits, and their own Jiggle and Tickle sessions are now up and running. So if you live in the area, contact the Centre for more details of when and where. This project will continue with more input and support from Piccolo over the coming few months.
Friday 10th November2006	Foundation Stage Music Conference, Hepscott park , Morpeth, NorthumberlandPractical curriculum for Pre-School-Reception. Anna and Abi delivered training workshops focussing on new songs and ways of singing with young children, at the this conference for Early Years Practioners based in Northumberland. Organised by Northumberland County Music Service
Thursday 16th November 2006	‘Successful Singing with Under Fives’ Training Workshop Caedmon hall, Gateshead Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead NE8 4LNAnna and Abi gave a lively, practical workshop at 7pm, followed by a chance to chat, network, and relax with a drink in the bar/cafe. over 100 people working or hoping to work with babies and under five attended the event, keen to find new ideas for musical play with children. They left with new songs, tips, how to get everyone joining in, making songs lively and interactive. Priced at £15 per person including training CD and notes. CDs and resources were on sale afterwards. Comments left on the board at the end included: ‘Live music makes all the difference – great ideas for Babies’ ‘Fantastic way to be trained -fun and learning together!’ and ‘Fab interaction-excellent display of key learning’.
Saturday November 4th 2006	Borders Books: Once more at the Silver link Branch of Borders, Coast Road, Newcastle. Singing sessions for families who ‘Wriggled and Giggled’ with Piccolo who were promoting their new book, and Christmas CD on sale at Borders now!
October 14th-15th 2006	Little Ones Fair, Haydock Park Race Course, Manchester. Families had heaps of fun at this fair/exhibition in the North West. Over 70 stands, from childrens wear, toys, nursery equipment, furniture and birth pools to food, gifts, books, educational products, parties and personalised items to name but a few…and of course Piccolo CDs, gift packs, instruments and books.
Sunday 1st October 2006	Borders Books: At the Gateshead Branch of Borders,Team Valley Retail Park, Gateshead. Singing sessions for families who ‘Wriggled and Giggled’ with Piccolo who were promoting their new book, on sale at Borders Gateshead now!
September 2nd 2006	Borders Books: At the Teeside Branch of Borders,Goodwood Square, Teesside Retail Park, Thornaby, Stockton-On-Tees. Singing sessions for families who ‘Wriggled and Giggled’ with Piccolo who were promoting their new book, on sale at Borders Teeside now!
11th July 2006	NCMA Northumberland Regional meeting: Training workshop
8th July 2006	Borders Books: At the Silver link Branch of Borders, Coast Road, Newcastle. Singing sessions for families who ‘Wriggled and Giggled’ with Piccolo who were promoting their new book, on sale at Borders now!
6th July 2006	Training workshop for Playgroup leaders South Shields EYDCP
23rd June 2006	Jane Fry Family Centre, South Shields: Singing session with children with special needs
May – July 2006	Longhorsley Playgroup, Nursery and School, Northumberland: a 4 week project to promote singing and music provision with children in Longhorsley Village, training teachers and leaders and singing with the children.
13th June 2006	Sure Start West Derwentside Picnic in the Park: to celebrate SureStart Month. Piccolo will be singing and enjoying songs from the Wriggle and Giggle Book with staff who have trained with them.
9th June 2006	Picnic in the Park, Saltwell Park Gateshead : Organised by Gateshead Pre-School Learning Alliance. Lots of fun and games for under fives. Come and sing with Piccolo – It’s FREE! 10am -2pm. Just come along.
31st March 2006	Wandsworth Borough Council London: training day and music sessions for staff at the One ‘o’clock centres for under fives
27 February 2006	WORKSHOP: Sucessful Singing & Music sessions for babies and children under Five SureStart, Newcastle Aimed at boosting your confidence and discovering new ways of singing and making music with babies and children under 5 years old. Two (identical) workshops for anyone working with small children. These were free to those working in childcare settings in Newcastle.
17th March and 7th April 2006	Sure Start West Derwentside training workshops: to launch ‘Wriggle and Giggle’ Book by Piccolo, and help staff establish singing and music sessions in their varied settings.
17th February 2006	World Book Day celebrations at South Shields Library: Piccolo sang with under fives in the afternoon, by invitation.
13th January 2006	Breastfeeding support cafe launch: Longbenton, Newcastle upon Tyne Anna and Abi are very happy to be singing with new mums at this event.
27th January 2006	Chinese New Year Celebration: Hebburn CA, South Shields South Shields EYDCP We’re helping young children and their carers to celebrate the Chinese New Year, at this special event in South Tyneside.
5th February 2006	Downes Syndrome North East : Music Day family fun for children with Downes Syndrome and their siblings, at the Parks North Shields.
24 June 2005	SureStart Week Bents Park, South Shields Outdoor event for under fives and their carers.
18 June 2005	Does Chatter Matter? National Childminders Association Annual Regional Meeting, Darlington Workshop for delegates.
27 May 2005	Children’s Centre Launch & Open Day Battle Hill Children’s Centre, Wallsend Supported by SureStart and North Tyneside Council.
18 & 22 April 2005	Story Telling Through Song North Tyneside College Training sessions for students at North Tyneside College.
15 April 2005	Hans Christian Anderson – Birthday Celebration South Shields Library Join Piccolo for stories and songs to celebrate the birth of the famous childrens’ author.
21 March 2005	Training Workshop South Tyneside EYDCP Childminders’ Network, South Shields
27-28 November 2004	Story Telling Through Song National Childminders Association Annual Conference, Scarborough Workshop for 120 delegates.
1 October 2005	Story Telling Through Song Professional Nanny National Conference, Business Design Centre, Islington, London Anna and Abi delivered a session on enhancing stories with song as part of the Early Years & Primary Teaching Exhibition.
24 September 2005	Children Are Our Future Newcastle Action for Parent & Toddler Groups Initiative National Conference, Castlegate Centre, Newcastle Anna and Abi delivered two afternoon sessions focussing on the benefits of song and rhyme for babies and children.
5 November 2005	CONFERENCE WORKSHOP: Successful Singing and Musical Fun with Babies and Children Newcastle Childminders’ Conference, Newcastle Anna and Abi will be delivered a workshop focussing on fun ways of singing with babies and children. This event was open to all childminders in Newcastle.