What's On — All events

BCMG Family Concert Serenade For Satellite- A Journey in Time and Space
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Sun 18 Apr 3:30pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

Conducted by Peter Wiegold
Sing For All - Community Spirit
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Sun 18 Apr 6:00pm Town Hall

A truly diverse mix of community choirs come together for a celebratory concert. Fourteen choirs will take part, ranging from Welsh male voice to gospel, singing an eclectic range of music from contemporary jazz arrangements to traditional English folk songs. This is the first time a project of this type has been done in the city, providing an opportunity for community choirs to perform alongside two professional ensembles, Black Voices and Ex Cathedra.
The Armed Man Featuring The Black Dyke Band and The Halifax and Sheffield Choral Societies
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Sun 18 Apr 7:00pm Symphony Hall

An evening of music from the world's most successful brass band. A first half of wonderful classics including Walton's _Crown Imperial_, Suppé's _Poet and Peasant_, Rossini's _Largo Al Factotum_ featuring Tuba virtuoso Joseph Cook, and, as finale to the first half, Wagner's _Procession to the Minster_. Black Dyke are joined in the second half by two of the finest choral societies in Britain, conducted by John Pryce-Jones, in Karl Jenkins’s acclaimed _The Armed Man_.
*Black Dyke Band* *Dr Nicholas J. Childs* and *John Pryce-Jones* _conductors_ *Halifax Choral Society* *Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus*
Melody Gardot With support Federico Aubele
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Mon 19 Apr 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter Melody Gardot burst onto the scene with her 2008 debut album _Worrisome Heart_ which displays her innate gift for transforming the traditions of jazz and blues with her "personal kiss of life." Her 2009 follow-up, _My One and Only Thrill_, is an artistic leap forward for the smoky-voiced singer, mixing Latin rhythms, finger-snapping blues, and smouldering torch songs.
Boy George: Up Close and Personal
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Mon 19 Apr 8:00pm Town Hall

As the front man of one of the UK’s biggest ever bands Boy George needs little introduction... he has sold millions of albums worldwide and secured top 10 hits in every country. He remains one of the world’s most recognisable pop and fashion icons. Culture Club was the first band since The Beatles to achieve three top 10 hits from their debut album _Kissing to Be Clever_ on the US Billboard charts. His 2008 tour proved he is still top of his game... _'Outstanding voice... his solo set proved who really was the star of Culture Club.'_ The Scottish Sun With a new album George returns to the live stage performing all the hits from Culture Club, his solo career and some great covers. Don’t miss one of the best soul voices and most colourful personalities Britian has ever produced. _‘... a great British soul voice. Church Of The Poisoned Mind was delivered at breakneck speed and overflowed with joie de vivre. Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? was the very epitome of dreaminess and the beloved Karma Chameleon gained a new layer of loveliness in a new, stately incarnation’_ The Evening Standard _'His unmistakable voice was as solid as ever, his raunchy moves revved up the crowd and confidence simply oozed. A great showman.'_ South End Echo _'A thoroughly entertaining concert that embodied all that should continue to be treasured about Boy George.'_ Newcastle Evening Chronicle "Boy George - Amazing Grace : The Official Video":http://youtube.com/watch?v=_jkVfSznw5Q
Paul Brady and Band plus support
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Tue 20 Apr 7:30pm Town Hall

Paul Brady, singer, songwriter, musician and producer, has been at the forefront of popular music in Ireland for over forty years. His dramatic interpretations of classic traditional ballads such as _Arthur McBride_ and _The Lakes of Pontchartrain_ firmly established him as one of the cornerstones of the new wave of Irish music and song in the 1970s. He has since forged a reputation as one of Ireland’s finest singer-songwriters, releasing many popular and critically acclaimed records such as _The Island_, _Crazy Dreams_, _The Homes of Donegal_ and _Paradise Is Here_. Hiis songs have been recorded by artists including Tina Turner, Cliff Richard, Cher, Carole King, Art Garfunkel, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Ronan Keating and Mary Black. Paul is known as a dynamic and passionate live performer whether in the company of his band or in the more intimate setting of solo performance. On this occasion he will be with his band to highlight the release of _Hooba Dooba_, his eagerly awaited collection of new songs and to revisit some old favourites.
An Evening with Rufus Wainwright
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Tue 20 Apr 7:45pm Symphony Hall

Affectionately referred to by Elton John as “the greatest songwriter on the planet” and praised by The New York Times for his "genuine originality," Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. Rufus has achieved his success by carving out his own singular sound in the worlds of rock, opera, theatre, dance and film.
CBSO Favourite Mozart - Matinee
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Wed 21 Apr 2:15pm Symphony Hall

Robert Schumann just couldn’t help himself. He knew he was meant to be writing serious symphonies, but emotion kept getting in the way. With its heroic opening, imposing slow movement and beer-festival finale, his _Rhenish_ Symphony is more than just a joyous musical postcard from the sunny hills of the Rhineland - it’s an irresistibly exuberant self-portrait of one of music’s supreme Romantics. Mozart’s best-loved piano concerto makes a perfect complement. Call it the “Elvira Madigan”, call it Piano Concerto No. 21; the fact remains that it’s one of the most eloquent, most stirring and - yes - most romantic concertos Mozart ever wrote. In the hands of the acclaimed young Finnish pianist Antii Siirala, you’ll know it.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Karl-Heinz Steffens* _conductor_ *Antti Siirala* _piano_
*Schumann* _Manfred_ Overture 12’ *Mozart* Piano Concerto No 21, K.467 31’ *Schumann* Symphony No 3, _Rhenish_ 32’
Frankie Boyle (extra date) I would happily punch every one of you in the face
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Wed 21 Apr 8:00pm Symphony Hall

Following his epic record-breaking tour in 2008, Frankie Boyle, star of BBC2’s _Mock the Week_ and one of the hottest and most controversial comedians of the moment, visits Symphony Hall with the all new live show, _I Would Happily Punch Every One of You in the Face_. In the last four years, Frankie has propelled himself into the premiere league with a host of brilliant performances, both on stage and screen, including every episode of _Mock the Week_ and _8 out of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo_ and _Would I Lie to You_ to name but a few. Visit Frankie's website "here":http://www.frankieboyle.com/ Not suitable for under 16s
Frankie Boyle I would happily punch every one of you in the face
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Thu 22 Apr 8:00pm Symphony Hall

Following his epic record-breaking tour in 2008, Frankie Boyle, star of BBC2’s _Mock the Week_ and one of the hottest and most controversial comedians of the moment, visits Symphony Hall with the all new live show, _I Would Happily Punch Every One of You in the Face_. In the last four years, Frankie has propelled himself into the premiere league with a host of brilliant performances, both on stage and screen, including every episode of _Mock the Week_ and _8 out of 10 Cats, Live at the Apollo_ and _Would I Lie to You_ to name but a few. Visit Frankie's website "here":http://www.frankieboyle.com/ Not suitable for under 16s
Centre Stage - Elspeth Dutch Elspeth Dutch and CBSO colleagues
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Fri 23 Apr 1:10pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

*Glazunov* Idyll for horn and strings *Dunhill* Horn Quintet in F minor
*Elspeth Dutch* _horn_ *CBSO players*
*Glazunov* Idyll for horn and strings *Dunhill* Horn Quintet in F minor
CBSO Friday Night Classics: Silent Heroes
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Fri 23 Apr 7:30pm Symphony Hall

Carl Davis’s silent movie night is always a sold-out highlight of the CBSO season, as Symphony Hall transforms into a giant cinema and the CBSO performs a live soundtrack that beautifully mirrors every action on screen. This year Davis features classics by two of the great comic geniuses, Harold Lloyd and Charlie Chaplin. Both stars cut an unusual figure when arriving in the wild west: Lloyd’s comfortable East Coast gentleman seems completely unprepared for the rough and tumble that greets him, while Chaplin’s lovable tramp makes do as best he can in the poverty and excitement of the Gold Rush (in one memorable scene, cooking and eating his own boots!). This will be a joyous evening for film fans of all ages.
*City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Carl Davis* _conductor_
*Harold Lloyd* _An Eastern Westerner_ 27’ *Charlie Chaplin* _The Gold Rush_ 90’
BBC Big Band: A Tribute to Louis & Ella
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Fri 23 Apr 7:30pm Town Hall

Join Australian trumpet virtuoso James Morrison and the BBC Big Band to hear the sounds of jazz legend Louis Armstrong; including _Sleepy Time_ _Down South_, _All of Me_ and _Struttin’ with some Barbecue_. They are joined by singer Anita Wardell as they recreate the great jazz partnership of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Concert to be recorded for BBC Radio 2’s "Big Band Special":http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/bigband BBC Big Band is a Town Hall Associate Artist
*BBC Big Band* *James Morrison* _trumpet_ *Anita Wardell* _vocalist_ *Mark Nightingale* _conductor_
Edition Records Showcase: Dave Stapleton Quintet + Mark Lockheart New Band Birmingham Jazz 2009/10
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Fri 23 Apr 8:00pm Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

More details to follow shortly
St George's Day: An English Celebration By Birmingham St. George’s Day Association
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Sat 24 Apr 6:00pm Symphony Hall

*Professor Carl Chinn MBE* _compere_ *Sovereign Brass* *Phoenix Singers* *Male Voice Choirs* *Sharron Burns* *Darren Hogg* _organ_ *Jake Fifer* _tenor_ *Bishop Walsh School Dance Group* *Steve Allen* _musical director_ *John Barber* _accompanist_ *Mike Alexander* _music arranger, piano_ *Birmingham Schools showcase*
Bach's Musical Offering
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Sat 24 Apr 7:30pm Town Hall

For thirty years, Ton Koopman has been an inspirational force in Bach performance, joyfully rejecting anything but the instruments and performing techniques that Bach himself would have known. Together with his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, Koopman brings his unique passion to one of the jewels of Bach’s old age - the great Musical Offering.
*Soloists of the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra* *Ton Koopman* _harpsichord/director_ *Tini Mathot* _harpsichord_
*J S Bach* _A Musical Offering_ 39’ Ricercare a 6 for two harpsichords, BWV1079 9’ Concerto for two harpsichords in C, BWV1061 18’
Canoldir Male Choir - 44th Annual Concert With special guest Aled Jones
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Sun 25 Apr 7:00pm Symphony Hall

Canoldir’s special guest this year is the tremendously popular Aled Jones. He brings his own inimitable style and personality to an evening of high quality traditional male voice choral music, with the occasional added twist of 100 plus sopranos and altos from the Edgbaston High School choirs.
*Canoldir Male Choir* *James Llewelyn Jones* _musical director_ *Aled Jones* _special guest_ *Choirs of Edgbaston High School for Girls*
Programme includes _Alleluia_ (JS Bach), _An American Trilogy_, _The Creation_, _My Lord What a Mornin’_, _Unchained Melody_, _Wie Selig Sind Die Toten_, _Yfory_
Lunchtime Organ Concert Sing Hymns with the City Organist
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Mon 26 Apr 1:00pm Town Hall

*Thomas Trotter* _organ_ *Birmingham Conservatoire Chamber Choir* directed by *Paul Spicer* *Jeremy Nicholas* _compere_
Take your place in a choir of hundreds as Thomas Trotter leads a thrilling journey through some of Britain’s most glorious hymns.
Tuned On Seminar: Islam and Women In Music
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Mon 26 Apr 6:00pm Symphony Hall

This seminar discusses the issues of women from an Islamic background in the urban arts sector. Are they under-represented? The speakers will discuss the cultural barriers that may have prevented them getting involved in the sector, with debate around whether this is changing through a better understanding and shift in attitudes towards contemporary music.
John Renbourn & Robin Williamson In Concert
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Mon 26 Apr 8:00pm Town Hall

A John Renbourn (Pentangle, The John Renbourn Group) concert takes the listener into a rich musical landscape of warm vocals and witty asides. At the core is a revolutionary guitar style that explores the instrument's potential in unusual and beautiful ways. Robin Williamson (The Incredible String Band, Merry Band) is a songwriter of undisputed stature, a distinctive interpreter of traditional song, a published poet and novelist... amongst other things.