THE BBC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS TO GIVE A FREE CONCERT AT WESTFIELD LONDON AS PART OF BBC PROMS OUT+ABOUT, WHICH TAKES WORLD CLASS CLASSICAL MUSIC TO A DIVERSE RANGE OF VENUES ACROSS LONDON

THURSDAY 25 JUNE
BBC Proms is taking to the streets of London for a musical marathon, bringing hours of free live music to many of the city’s communities on Thursday 25 June. Members of the world-renowned BBC Symphony Orchestra are to perform for free in unexpected venues around the capital ranging from the Natural History Museum, Lyric Square in Hammersmith, Kings Cross St Pancras and Waterloo Tube Station.

(Images courtesy of Chris Christodoulou)

The day culminates in a musical spectacular, when the full orchestral force of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, nearly 100 musicians, gives a free concert at Westfield London. The day marks the meeting of some world-famous institutions, magnificent public spaces of London with the magical sounds of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC’s flagship orchestra, which performs over 12 concerts in the festival, including the First and Last Nights of the Proms.

Inspired by the rich heritage of London, the Westfield concert features British music including, Benjamin Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, Eric Coates’s London Calling and a world premiere by renowned film and jazz composer Sir Richard Rodney Bennett, Chelsea Reach. John Wilson, who features at the MGM Musicals Prom on 1 August, conducts the concert, which also highlights BBC Radio 3 New Generation trumpeter, Giuliano Sommerhalder.

The BBC Symphony Orchestra reaches out in the most literal sense – being out and about in the busiest and most iconic corners of this great city, as well as taking their music to many schools and hospitals along the way. It will take some stamina from the performers, but they aim to inspire Londoners and give them an unexpected insight into the BBC Proms.

The BBC Proms is also encouraging members of the public to pick up their own instruments and join in to help create a Family Orchestra at the Westfield event. This is a rare and invaluable opportunity for people of all ages to play alongside members of the world-class BBC Symphony Orchestra. This session will begin at Westfield London at 3.30pm with the workshop at 4.30pm – 5.30pm.

The Out+About event is part of the Story of London Festival, a month-long celebration of the city’s past, present and future organised by the Mayor of London, in partnership with a host of organisations across the capital. The festival takes place throughout the whole of June 2009, with more than 350 events aimed at tourists and Londoners alike.

BBC Proms Out+About, now in its seventh year, is striving to bring the essence of the festival directly to the communities of London. It provides opportunities for families to get involved and for individuals to develop their own musical knowledge through the Proms Learning initiatives, which continue throughout the festival – 17 July -12 September. This is a chance for all to be part of this internationally renowned classical music festival. Previous Out+About events include performances at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 last year and two concerts at the Brighton Dome in 2007.

Passers by, participants and audiences will be encouraged to attend the FREE FAMILY PROM at the Royal Albert Hall on 26 July and the Darwin-inspired extravaganzas for kids on 1 and 2 August. The BBC Proms provides a great, value for money experience for all the family and tickets for under 16s remain at half price for all Proms (excluding the First and Last Night concerts).

www.bbc.co.uk/orchestras/symphonyorchestra