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BBC National Orchestra of Wales is well known for performing a busy schedule of concerts across Wales and for its performances on BBC radio. But if you think that’s all there is to it, think again!
KEEPING TIME!
The BBC National Orchestra of Wales can be heard regularly on television as it records the soundtracks for the famous Doctor Who and Torchwood series produced by BBC Wales. The Orchestra can also be heard performing throughout Wales, at the BBC Proms in London and at the Welsh Proms in Cardiff.
In addition to this hectic timetable of concerts and recordings, the Orchestra is busy working to extend its reach beyond the concert hall as Suzanne Hay, Education and Community Manager explains, “There really is nothing quite like live music. We take the Orchestra into schools, workplaces and communities to help people of all ages and abilities to enjoy live music at its best. Our aim is to make music for everyone as well as inspiring people to try something new or even perform themselves. At our concerts young audience members can find out more about the music through specially designed family programme notes which help to break down barriers and enable young people to understand the music they are hearing.
Secondary schools from across Wales can apply for free tickets for GCSE and A-Level pupils for BBC National Orchestra of Wales concerts and through our work experience programme, music students are able to find out what goes on behind the scenes at a professional symphony orchestra. Our programme also offers workshops to help develop singing in primary schools and includes an annual project resulting in more than 250 young singers performing at the BBC Wales Carol Concert.
As well as trying to reach a wide range of people through music, we support and nurture talented young composers, conductors and performers from music colleges and universities. We also have a close relationship with the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. At the heart of our work this autumn will be a series of music workshops and concerts specially devised for pupils attending special schools and special units. These events will introduce the sounds of the Orchestra as well as offering the opportunity for the children to join in.
We move in to our new home BBC Hoddinott Hall at the Wales Millennium Centre in January, where one of our new facilities will be the multi-function Grace Williams Studio. This will enable us to extend our programme of activity to reach out even further and connect with a wider and diverse audience across Wales.
Activities during 2009 include composition sessions focusing on Welsh composers, singing workshops for choirs as well as new collaborations with other resident organisations at the Wales Millennium Centre.
Building on the success of previous family concerts including the Doctor Who Celebration and our Halloween Spooktacular, we are planning a special Songs from the Shows family concert to take place in February 2009 at St David’s Hall, where we are Orchestra in Residence.
Everyone is encouraged to get involved in our outreach programme and by introducing music to young people at an early age, we hope that they will go on to learn a musical instrument or come and enjoy our concerts in the future. Music is for us all to love.”
If you would like to find out more about the Education and Community Outreach Department of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, contact the BBC National Orchestra of Wales Audience Line on
0800 052 1812 or email now@bbc.co.uk |
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Opening Festival Concert events
Songs from the Shows Family Concert
Friday 20 February 2009, 7pm
St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Tickets £8 (£5)
Family Tickets also available
HOW TO BOOK
Tickets can be purchased via the BBC National Orchestra of Wales Audience Line on 0800 052 1812 or
via Wales Millennium Centre on 08700 400 200
www.bbc.co.uk/now |
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