* BARBIE at the Symphony is the title of a concert aimed at introducing children to classical music during the Christmas holidays. The concert at Birmingham Symphony Hall on January 5 sees the Barbie Princess movies projected on screen while a live orchestra plays some of the world’s best-loved classical music. It includes selections from Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper, Barbie as the 12 Dancing Princesses, the All-New Barbie as the Island Princess and many more. All seats 15.

Over at Birmingham Town Hall on December 29 there is Tales of Ice and Snow, which combines winter stories from all over Europe with original music. It’s suitable for children aged five and over and there is lots of audience participation and hands-on music making. Tickets 0121 780 3333. * THE award-winning Nuneaton-based Cantabile Youth Choir are preparing for a busy 2008.

The choir have been selected as one of only eight from many entries from around the world - and one of only two choirs from England - to compete in the Senior Children’s Choir Section of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in July. The choir will also be off to Paris in August to perform in Disneyland, as well as giving two other concerts in the French capital and have been selected to perform and compete in the International Choir Festival in Jersey in October.

The choir’s members come from all over Nuneaton and Bedworth, North Warwickshire and Hinckley and their secretary and accompanist Allan Procter is appealing for organisations, businesses or individuals to consider sponsoring the youngsters.