Chamber Babies is a venture initiated by Belfast Music Society (BMS) in 2014, designed to offer the best live classical music to the youngest listeners (and their mums and dads). We are delighted to be working in partnership with the BMS on this venture, and concerts take place in the relaxed setting of the CAC’s Cube venue.

The concerts are very informal, and the short programmes are designed for babies and adults alike. You can walk, sway, crawl, roll, dance or just chill out to a careful selection of short classical pieces designed both to engage and enchant (or soothe to sleep!). Concerts are aimed at babies from 0-18 months old.

Gemma O'Keeffe and Donal McCrisken (violin/piano)

Donal McCrisken is a Belfast-based musician with many years experience as a pianist, accompanist, conductor, examiner and adjudicator. Since 1999 Donal has been conductor of Cappella Caeciliana, one of Ireland’s most exciting chamber choirs. He works extensively with Northern Ireland Opera as repetiteur, accompanist and workshop facilitator and teaches classes in performance in the music department of Queen’s University Belfast.

Donal was for six years, 2005 – 2011, head of music in St Malachy’s College, Belfast – Northern Ireland’s first specialist music school, whose students he led in concert tours to Washington DC, Philadelphia, England and Rome. A qualified British and International Federation of Festivals adjudicator, Donal has adjudicated festivals throughout Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and the UK. Donal was the choral director and repetiteur for the exciting Belfast Opera project which culminated in performances in June 2016. For his work with this project he was awarded the Classic FM/ Musicians Union Inspiration Award and the whole project was nominated for the best Classical Music Education Initiative Award.

Gemma O'Keeffe was born in Belfast and studied French and Music at Trinity College Dublin before completing a Postgraduate Performers course at the Royal Academy of Music, London, studying with Maurice Hasson. She has played with many professional orchestras around the UK including BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, RSNO, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Halle Orchestra, RTE Symphony Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra. She has worked with Ronan Keating, Russell Watson, Cliff Richard and Chris de Burgh and on albums with Daniel O’Donnell and Shanaia Twain. Her theatre experience includes touring with Chicago and Riverdance and performing in London's West End. Gemma is also a member of the Scottish Tango Ensemble which
 specialises in music by Piazzolla. She currently holds a Tutti Violin 1 position at Scottish Opera and lives in Glasgow with her husband and 6-year-old son.

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All Chamber Babies concerts are performed by professional classical musicians from Northern Ireland. We welcome all listeners, no matter how young (including mums with bumps!). Take time to enjoy coffee and cake at the Crescent Arts Centre’s cafe before or after the concert.

These concerts are designed specifically for babies UP TO the age of 18 months. We reserve the right not to permit entry for older babies/children. If you are bringing more than one baby, please make sure there is more than one adult in your party!