Classic FM presenter and gardening guru Alan Titchmarsh joins the Orchestra and hundreds of singers for the CBSO’s Festive Favourites, a gloriously seasonal concert that features songs and music such as John Gardner’s The Holly and the Ivy and Adolphe Adam’s Cantique de Noel. These will be interspersed with Alan’s own poignant and humorous tales about what this time of year means to him.

Conducted by the CBSO’s celebrated chorus director Simon Halsey CBE and featuring the voices of CBSO Chorus, CBSO Youth Chorus, CBSO Children’s Chorus, CBSO Young Voices and CBSO So Vocal, the concerts take place at Symphony Hall on Friday 18th December, Sunday 20th December and Monday 21st December and will have audiences singing their way to the start of the holiday season.

The CBSO’s younger audiences will get the chance to dance, sing and take part in the hugely popular, toddler-friendly Notelets: Christmas Crackers concerts. Presented by RPS Award winner, Catherine Arlidge and performed by the CBSO’s Wind section, these interactive concerts on 4th and 5th December offer the chance to get up close to players and instruments in the approachable setting of the CBSO Centre. Before the 45 minute bite-sized concerts, audiences also have the chance to take part in concert themed craft activities.

On 21 December the CBSO’s 10-piece Berkley Salon Ensemble and the CBSO Youth Chorus will transport audiences back in time to the glitzy roaring twenties as they perform lovely lunchtime tunes and Christmas classics in the Palm Court Christmas Party.

After all of the turkey and trimmings have finally been eaten and we’ve said goodbye to 2015, audiences will be waltzing down Symphony Hall aisles for the CBSO’s annual concert, The Magic of Vienna, on 3rd January with conductor, Stephen Bell and Tenor, Noah Stewart. Featuring Strauss’ Blue Danube Waltz there is no better way to start the New Year, CBSO style!

Stephen Maddock, CBSO chief executive said: “Christmas is a very special time for the CBSO family, which we love to share with all of our audiences, those that are just finding their feet and those who are and will always be young at heart. This year we’re looking forward to having Alan Titchmarsh join us for our Festive Favourites concerts, it’s always an absolute pleasure to have him back in Birmingham. Our city at Christmas is a great place to be and we look forward sharing a whole range of musical experiences with you.”