Across three mornings, children will explore music, rhythm, and ancient Celtic traditions through a playful and creative Halloween-themed program. Each day blends hands-on activities with historical insights, offering a rich learning experience rooted in cultural heritage.
As part of the experience, we will explore how Celtic communities used music, storytelling, and seasonal rituals to connect with nature and one another. Through creative reenactment, children will gain an understanding of how these traditions were practiced in the past. Importantly, children will discover that these ancient Celtic rituals mark the origins of what we now celebrate as Halloween. Rooted in the festival of Samhain, this time of year was seen as a moment when the veil between worlds grew thin, and communities came together to honor the changing seasons, protect their homes, and celebrate the mysteries of life and death.
Each child will leave with their own handmade creations — shakers, amulets, and a lantern — along with a deeper appreciation for the roots of Halloween, Celtic traditions, music-making, and the power of shared ritual 🎃
PROGRAM
Halloween / Samhain Music Program (Ages 6–9)
Schedule: 10:00–12:30 (2 × 70-min blocks + 10-min break)
OCT 27, 28,29
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Day 1
Block 1: Rhythm & Voice: The Village Awakens 10:00–11:10
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Opening Circle: Name Introduction Game with shaker → each child introduces themselves when holding the shaker; Good Morning Song + playful vocal warm-up (animal sounds, spooky voices)
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Storytelling: Short tale of ancient Celtic Samhain traditions
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DIY Instrument Workshop: Pumpkin shakers (filled with rice), Bucket drums, Magic
wands with ribbons and bells, Witch’s broomstick (group prop)
Break 11:10–11:20
Block 2: Rhythmic Patterns: learn and play rhythms with the handmade instruments 11.20-12.30
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Singing Circle: voice + rhythm together with instruments
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Collective Soundscape Game: create a spooky/mystical atmosphere using instruments + loopstation
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Impro “Freeze”: children act out scenes (night forest, strong wind, Celtic ritual) while soundscape plays
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Closing: Mini Sound Journey – children lie down and relax while listening to meditative instruments (e.g., Koshi chimes)
Take-home: handmade shaker or wand
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Day 2
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Block 1-Chant & Ritual: Between the Living and Spirits 10:00–11:10
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Opening Circle: One word of the day + good morning song + playful vocal warm-up (animals, spooky sounds)
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Magic Chants: In small groups, invent a chant (one word + body beat); Groups perform their chants; record each chant into the loopstation → layered into a collective ritual sound
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Mini-Tableau: “Celtic village preparing for Samhain” (harvest, fire, calling spirits) — frozen statue image with loopstation soundscape
11:10–11:20
Break 11:10–11:20
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Block 2 - Art Workshop: paint and decorate a collective “firepit”; create clay/salt-dough amulets with Celtic symbols 11:20–12:30
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Singing Circle “Around the Fire”: learn and sing Celtic/Halloween-inspired songs, using instruments and loopstation to accompany
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Closing: Mini Sound Journey with meditative instruments (Koshi chimes) Take-home: clay/salt-dough amulet
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Day 3
​Block 1-Celebration & Elements: The Final Fire Ritual 10:00–11:10
Opening Circle: One word of the day + good morning song + vocal warm-up (animal/spooky sounds)
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Movement & Dance: “Druids, Spirits, Warriors” (adapted drama game); Elemental Dance Improvisation: key words trigger movement styles – Fire → jumps, Wind → spins, Earth → strong stamping, Water → flowing arms; Electronic Beat: record stomps, claps, breaths → transform into electronic rhythm for kids to move to
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Break 11:10–11:20
Block 2- Grand Finale – The Fire Ritual 11:20–12:30
• Ritual Sequence (guided performance):
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Entrance Procession: children enter in a circle, playing the handmade instruments
from Day 1
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Chants of Power: perform the magic chants from Day 2, recorded live on loopstation
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Elemental Dance: embody fire, wind, earth, water to the electronic beat
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Tableaux of Samhain: Harvest/Abundance, Light & Shadow, Magic/Spirits – each group freezes in a tableau while music shifts to a new loop
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Collective Wish Ritual: sitting in a circle around the painted firepit, each child speaks a “magic word” or wish into the microphone → recorded into the loopstation, layering their voices
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Sound Journey Closing: collective voices fade into meditative sound (Koshi, soft loops).
Program Highlights
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Clear musical focus each day (acoustic, vocal/loopstation, electronic)
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Tableau moments (frozen images linked to soundscapes)
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Art object to bring home
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Closing ritual tying music and imagination together
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PRICE FOR 3 DAYS 135 EU
Send us an email to join, limited capacity.
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Activity led by Mariana Bragada is a singer, musician, and songwriter from Northern Portugal. She combines her expertise in singing circles and loopstation techniques with drama, expression, and a strong artistic sensibility. A well-rounded artist, Mariana brings music to the forefront while blending it with creative and interactive elements.
With her music project Meta_—which has released one EP and one album—Mariana has toured across Europe, performing both with her project and alongside renowned electronic music producer and DJ Xinobi. For the past three years, she has been sharing her passion for music with communities of all ages, from introducing electronic music to children in schools across Portugal to engaging with elderly communities in villages. She has also contributed to a music theatre show for kids, combining performance, storytelling, and education.
Through her workshops, Mariana inspires children to explore music, rhythm, and creativity in a playful, interactive environment—making every session a chance to sing, experiment, and express themselves.
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