BBC Concert Orchestra for Norfolk's youth

MEDIA RELEASE COURTESY OF: BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA

Following the success of the Making Tracks concerts held at the Norfolk Showground in 2008, the BBC Concert Orchestra will be returning to Norfolk in March 2010 to play four MusicMix concerts for more than 3,000 10-14 year-olds from across the county.

The MusicMix concerts are being organised with Orchestras Live, the national development agency for orchestral work, in partnership with all of the local authorities in Norfolk and with Arts Council England, East.

Taking place in King's Lynn and Great Yarmouth, the concerts will explore orchestral music from the 18th century through to contemporary pieces including music for film and television.

Several groups of young musicians will perform alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra including a youth choir in the world premiere of a new version of Harry Patch by Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood. Audiences will also participate in the events by singing along with the orchestra in a pre-prepared piece.

Orchestras Live has long-standing partnerships with the local authorities in Norfolk, and was responsible for initiating and co-producing the highly successful Making Tracks tour with the BBC Concert Orchestra in 2008 which saw more than 7,000 7-11 year olds attending concerts at the County Showground, and it has again brought together a consortium of local authority partners to achieve the new MusicMix venture.

Stuart Bruce, Partnership Manager for Orchestras Live, said:

'Orchestras Live is delighted to have again assembled a large partnership of local authorities which will enable many young people in Norfolk to have a top-quality live orchestral music experience with the BBC Concert Orchestra, and the participation of local young music groups on stage should help to inspire the audiences about getting involved in music.

'These large-scale events will, in many cases, be the very first experience of seeing a live orchestra and it will be a truly exciting experience for the young people.'

The MusicMix concerts will take place at The Corn Exchange, King's Lynn on Wednesday 17 March 2010 at 10.30am and 1.45pm, and at Hippodrome Circus Theatre, Great Yarmouth on Thursday 18 March 2010 at 10.30am and 1.45pm.

Visit the Orchestras Live website here.
Visit the Kings Lynn Corn Exchange here.
VisIt the Hippodrome Circus website here.