Produced in July 2025, Leap Year is a vibrant, 45minute theatrical music show for 7–11 year olds (and their grown-ups), created and produced by MishMash, previously performed at several schools and the Nottingham Chamber Music Festival. It features three brilliant musicians from Sinfonia Viva.

The performers bring classical music to life through games, sketches, and audience interaction across twelve playful chapters, one for each month of the year.

Every month has its own story and beautiful music to match. It’s a show that’s full of surprise, silliness, and sensational music. The musicians are multi-talented and shatter the stereotypes of a traditional chamber music performance, with an inclusive and modern performance. They introduce their instruments. act out mini-scenes, dance, sing and invite the audience to join in. It’ll leave children laughing, listening, and leaning in from start to finish.

With playful performances on violin, clarinet, and bassoon, it’s a perfect introduction to the magic intimacy of chamber music.

Creative Team

  • Director: Sophie Rivlin
  • Producer MishMash Productions: Sam Watkins
  • Producer Sinfonia Viva: Katie Lucas

Touring Company

  • Sophie Rosa, Violin
  • Gareth Humphreys, Bassoon
  • Matthew Dunn, Clarinet

Leap Year Features

  • Duncan Chisholm: I Horo S Na Hug Oro Eile
  • Elisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre, Lina Tur Bonet, Patxi Montero, Kenneth Weiss: Violin Sonata No.2 in D Major: III. Presto
  • Michael Lowenstern: Drift
  • Daniel Bernard Roumain, Lecolion Washington, Mark Ensley: Lecolion Loops: after Uti Var Hage
  • Traditional, Danish String Quartet: Polska from Dorotea (Arr. Danish String Quartet
  • Lindabeth Binkley, Jenni Brandon: The Sequoia Trio I. Sequoiandendron giganteum The Big Tree
  • William Bradbury, PEN Trio: 5.4.3: 2. Presto
  • Cecilia McDowell, Tailleferre Ensemble: Century Dances: V. Last Dance
  • Vittorio Monti, Nicola Benedetti, Tamas Andras, Thomas Carroll, Ksenija Sidorova, Petr Limonov: Czardas