Free concerts for tens of thousands of Birmingham residents.
Starting this Wednesday, tens of thousands of Birmingham residents will get to enjoy the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra through a series of free performances on the city’s iconic canal boats and trams – and at an array of venues including gardens, stations, restaurants, galleries and museums. The CBSO will fill the city with music, popping up in unexpected spaces playing everything from Star Wars to Brahms – and for people attending the CBSO’s performances at a packed New Street station, some will even get the chance to conduct the orchestra.
After its hugely successful debut last summer, the return of CBSO in the City sees the orchestra leave the concert hall, to engage with diverse new audiences on their terms – as they live their everyday lives.
Kazuki Yamada, Music Director at the CBSO, said: “Birmingham is not a second city, it’s a leader in its own right. As a vibrant community, Birmingham has a proud history of giving the world some of its most celebrated musical innovators.
“And so with CBSO in the City we leave the concert hall for a week and take the joy of orchestral music to people in their world – inspiring their day, adding a magical surprise to their routines and sparking a curiosity to discover. There are no tickets, no barriers and no formalities. CBSO in the City is about the shared joy of music – and the role it plays to define the city we are proud to call home.”
The initiative also builds on the CBSO’s ground-breaking study into the musical preferences of people who live in and around Birmingham. The results showed that residents regarded music to be a vital aspect of community life. Across the city, music was central to how 60% of Birmingham residents enjoyed their free time – and that sense of music connection was so strong that 57% felt no need to travel outside the city for a great night out. With orchestral music, Birmingham residents cited the factors that would make the genre more appealing – and topping the list were musical experiences people could enjoy with family and friends (56%), a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere (37%) and performances delivered in relaxed and informal settings (25%).
Demonstrating it has listened to the city’s residents, CBSO in the City this week delivers on the research findings – with an added element of surprise, intimacy and innovation.
Michael Reading-Skilton, West Midlands Metro Head of Commercial, says, “We’re proud to support CBSO in the City again this year. Last summer’s performances gave our customers a fresh perspective on their journeys, transforming daily commutes into unforgettable musical moments. We’re thrilled to help deliver another uplifting experience that shines a light on Birmingham’s exceptional musical talent.”
Emma Stenning, CBSO Chief Executive comments: “Birmingham is a youthful, diverse, musical city and our week of free live performances will allow us to celebrate everything that’s good about our home. As with other cities around the UK, orchestral music has an important part to play within the cultural mix but it’s also vital that orchestras go to where the new audiences are – to share joyful experiences and, in doing so, to remove any perceived barriers. After a cost-of-living crisis, the price of tickets is also a concern some many people, so even here that potential barrier is removed through a week of free, live music performances.
“By appearing in different settings and making so many of the performances interactive with the audiences, we are investing in being an integral part of people’s everyday lives – as together we celebrate everything that is right about our shared musical home.”
Further details from the CBSO website.
