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• Midland's Festival of Remembrance 25th Anniversary Salute to the Falklands' Campaign 

  Sun 4 Nov Town Hall

  The annual tribute to those who have given their lives in the service of the nation with particular emphasis on the 1982 campaign to recover the Falkland Islands.
  *Minden Band of the Queen’s Division* (by kind permission of Lieutenant General J C McColl, CBE, DSO, Colonel Commandant, the Queen’s Division) *Canoldir Male Choir*
  
  

• International Dance Festival Birmingham: International Raw Energy  

  Sun 4 May Town Hall

  In this collaboration with sampad South Asian Arts, the International Dance Festival presents an evening showcasing the fantastic talent of youth dance companies from across the West Midlands. Each company will perform new work made by international choreographers especially for the Festival, ending in a huge Bollywood finale! £5.50, £7.50
  
  
  

• West Midlands Federation of Music Services SingUp Celebration Concert  

  Mon 26 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Following a day of workshops with primary children from across the West Midlands, children from years 5, 6, 7, and 8 come together to perform in a massed transition choir concert, with solo choral and vocal performance groups from West Midlands Music Services and schools.
  *David Lawrence* conductor
  
  

• Midlands' Hospitals' Choir Christmas Concert in aid of CLIC Sargent 

  Wed 12 Dec Symphony Hall

  Midlands Hospital Choir presents their annual Christmas Carol concert in aid of CLICSargent presenting a massed choir from hospitals within the Midlands with conductor Julian Wilkins. Featuring the jazz acoustic quartet Rhapsody in Red and Gemini Brass. The choir is in to its 26th year producing these great festive concerts. £10, £12.50, £15, £17.50, £20 60 plus/groups of 10 or more/families (2-6 people) 10% discount. www.midlandshospitalschoir.org.uk
  *Midlands Hospitals’ Choir* *Julian Wilkins* Conductor
  
  

• Sing Live West Midlands presents Sing Swing  

  Sat 25 Oct Town Hall

  From the Fabulous Forties to the present day revival, Sing Live West Midlands will have you on your feet dancing to the sound of the National Festival Orchestra Big Band and 150 singers from your area. You will instantly recognise the unmistakable Glenn Miller Sound, with the show-stopping Chattanooga Choo-choo, and also our tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, the Chairman of the Board, Frank Sinatra. Something for everyone as the Sing Live Wall of Sound grabs you and takes you into the era of Swing. £15, £17.50 Under 16s £9 Tickets available from Sing Live Booking office on 01609 780315 or Town Hall and Symphony Hall Box Office. Please note the 3.30pm show has now been cancelled
  
  
  

• The Verdi Requiem with Making Music West Midlands  

  Sun 8 Jun Symphony Hall

  The thrilling trumpet call to judgement accompanies the spectacular choir of massed voices from across the Midlands region, in this gala performance of Verdi's intensely operatic Requiem. Making Music's trienniel event is conducted by Michael Lloyd with a cracking line-up of soloists supported by the remarkable Chandos Symphony Orchestra. _'A chorus singing out of its socks'_ Christopher Morley, The Birmingham Post
  *Michael Lloyd* Conductor *Kathyrn Rutland* Leader *Julie Unwin* Soprano *Anne Marie Owens* Mezzo-soprano *Rhys Meirion* Tenor *Andrew Greenan* Bass *Chandos Symphony Orchestra* *Massed Choirs of Making Music West Midlands*
  *Verdi* Requiem 80'
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth National Wind Band Festival; National Jazz Festival 

  Friday 13 July 07 Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue
  
  
  

• Let's Sing presents The World's Greatest No.1 Hits  

  Sun 29 Jun Town Hall

  The ever-popular Let’s Sing company brings their exciting new production to Town Hall. With choral and solo renditions of some of the world’s greatest No. 1 hits, including Unchained Melody, Sailing, You Raise Me Up, Mull of Kintyre, Fields of Gold, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and many, many more. This is truly an outstanding evening of entertainment for all the family. £18, 60 plus/Under 16’s £15
  
  *Nigel Hopkins* Conductor *Let’s Sing Chorus* *Let’s Sing Youth* *Midlands Festival Band*
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth Infants and Juniors at the National Festival; National Chamber Music Festival 

  Monday 9th July 07 Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue
  
  
  

• The World's Greatest No.1 Hits  

  Sun 29 Jun Town Hall

  The ever-popular Let’s Sing company brings their exciting new production to Town Hall. With choral and solo renditions of some of the world’s greatest No. 1 hits, including Unchained Melody, Sailing, You Raise Me Up, Mull of Kintyre, Fields of Gold, Bridge Over Troubled Water, and many, many more. This is truly an outstanding evening of entertainment for all the family. £18, 60 plus/under 16’s £15
  *Nigel Hopkins* conductor *Let’s Sing Chorus* *Let’s Sing Youth Midlands Festival Band*
  
  

• Town Hall Re-opening Festival  

  4 - 21 October 2007 Town Hall

  h3. Town Hall, Birmingham re-opened on Thursday 4 October 2007 with a two-week festival of events on the theme Celebrating the Past, Pioneering the Future. Tickets on sale now! You can read more about the Town Hall Re-opening Festival "here":/page/town-hall-birmingham/re-opening-festival/
  
  
  

• Let's Sing the Musicals  

  Sun 8 Jul Symphony Hall

  An evening of popular entertainment for all the family with a programme consisting of music and dance from many well-loved musicals including _Phantom of the Opera_, _Fiddler on the Roof_, _Miss Saigon_, _Jesus Christ Superstar_, _Copocabana_, and many, many more.
  *Nigel Hopkins* Conductor *Let's Sing Chorus* *Let's Sing Youth* *Firebox Dance Company* *Midlands Festival Orchestra*
  
  

• International Dance Festival Birmingham: Tea Dance  

  Mon 5 May Town Hall

  Dust down your dancing shoes and participate in the International Dance Festival by coming along to the Festival Tea Dance, with live band. £7.50
  
  
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth National Brass Band Festival; Traditional and International Music; Ensembles 

  Thursday 12th July 07 Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue
  
  
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth National Choral Festival 

  Tuesday 10th July 07 Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue
  
  
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth Open/Music Centre; National Jazz Festival 

  Saturday 14 July 07 Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue
  
  
  

• Women In Music Festival - Birmingham  

  Cancelled

  Town Hall

  *12.30pm - 7pm* The extended celebration of International Women’s Day, WIMFB offers an array of female performers as they take to the stage this Mothering Sunday to share their artistic talent through entertainment. The marking of this second festival welcomes both local and international artists to the bill, with the special crowning of the new Ambassador for the Women In Music Festival - Birmingham. Admission FREE. (Tickets available on the door.) *This event is now taking place at the Recital Hall at Birmingham Conservatoire from 2-7pm.*
  
  
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth - 9th July  

  Wed 9 Jul Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue.
  
  Events are taking place at Symphony Hall & Adrian Boult Hall
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth - 10th July  

  Thu 10 Jul Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue.
  
  Events are taking place at Symphony Hall & Adrian Boult Hall
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth - 12th July  

  Sat 12 Jul Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue.
  
  Events are taking place at Symphony Hall & Adrian Boult Hall
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth - 11th July  

  Fri 11 Jul Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue.
  
  Events are taking place at Symphony Hall, Town Hall & Adrian Boult Hall
  

• Midlands Hospitals' Choir Christmas Celebration  

  Tue 16 Dec Symphony Hall

  Staff from hospitals in Birmingham and across the Midlands will be joining together to sing Christmas music and traditional carols for all the family. Led by Artistic Director David Lawrence and organist Julian Wilkins, the concert will feature a special performance by TENORS Un LIMITED and Gemini Brass and encourages full audience participation. The concert is in aid of CLIC Sargent and sponsored by Foresters. The Midland Hospitals’ Choir is currently in its 27th year, and has raised over £108,000 to date in support of CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading children’s cancer charity.
  *David Lawrence* conductor *Julian Wilkins* organ Special performances by Gemini Brass and Tenor Un Limited
  
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth - 8th July  

  Tue 8 Jul Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue.
  Please Note: Day tickets are not valid for Singposium at the CBSO Centre & the Rock, Pop and Urban Festival at the Carling Academy 2.
  Events are taking place at Symphony Hall, Town Hall & Adrian Boult Hall
  

• Rush Hour Blues - The Old Dance School  

  Fri 25 Apr Symphony Hall

  The versatile Birmingham-based 8-piece group kick off the English Originals festival in a free event in Symphony Hall's Level 3 Bar. "Click here":http://www.thsh.co.uk/englishoriginals for full English Originals festival line up.
  
  
  

• Talking Cities: Annual Urban Design Lecture Series 2008  

  Mon 18 Feb Town Hall

  Sunand Prasad, President of the RIBA, the Royal Institute of British Architects, will discuss his vision for cities and explore relationships between architecture, cities and the diverse communities who live and work in them. Born in India, Prasad came to England with his family in the early 60s and in 1988 co-founded Penoyre and Prasad LLP, now an internationally renowned architectural practice. As well as an architect he is also and a writer on subjects including, Le Corbusier, North Indian Urbanism, cultural diversity and the value of design. He has written the eight essays in ‘Transformation’- the Architecture of Penoyre & Prasad and is the editor of a forthcoming book on hospital design. The Annual Urban Design public lecture series is organised between Birmingham City University School of Architecture and MADE* the Regional Architecture Centre in the West Midlands, in association with RIBA West Midlands. The talk will be for 45 minutes without an interval, followed by questions from the audience. Sponsored by Atkins.
  
  
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth National Fesival of Youth Orchestras - School String & Chamber; Ensembles 

  Wednesday 11 Jul 07 Symphony Hall

  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue
  
  
  

• Little Sister  

  Sun 27 Apr Symphony Hall

  The all-female group bring original arrangements of world folk music and their exceptional own songs to the English Originals festival. In Symphony Hall's Level 3 Bar before the Daughters of Albion concert in the main Hall. "Click here":http://www.thsh.co.uk/englishoriginals for full English Originals festival line up.
  
  
  

• Christmas Festival  

  Fri 14 Dec Symphony Hall

  Celebrate the festive season at the UK's finest concert hall. Hear a selection of work from the finest composers played by the finest musicians. From classical masterpieces to carols for all, there is something for the whole family to enjoy at Symphony Hall this Christmas.
  
  
  

• Elgar's 150th Anniversary City of Birmingham Choir 

  Sat 19 May Symphony Hall

  Classic fm's dynamic presenter, Natalie Wheen, traces the development of Elgar's compositional genius. Hear about those brilliant creative skills with performances of some of his earlier choral and orchestral compositions, culminating in his late, great and reflective choral ode, "The Music Makers", first performed in the Town Hall at the 1912 Birmingham Festival. Frances McCafferty, internationally acclaimed opera and concert artist, and the CBSO under Adrian Lucas' inspirational baton feature in this anniversary tribute to the Midlands' greatest musical son.
  *Adrian Lucas* Conductor *Natalie Wheen* Presenter *Frances McCafferty* Contralto *City of Birmingham Choir* *City of Birminham Symphony Orchestra*
  Programme includes: Give Unto the Lord Sursum Corda The Music Makers Pomp and Circumstance March No 6 (realised by Payne)
  

• International Dance Festival: En Sus 13  

  Tue 6 May Town Hall

  Following the success of last year’s Emocion Flamenco Festival, three stars of the Spanish scene present a brand new flamenco show- bringing you a night of entertainment that will mesmerise and amaze with its passion and rhythms. “Able to bring anyone to their feet.” El Mundo £10, £13.50, £17.50, £21.50, £25 60 plus/full time students/unwaged/ disabled patrons £8.50, £12, £16, £20, £23.50 For workshops contact ana@flamenco-birmingham.com
  *Olga Pericet* *Manuel Liñán* *Marco Flores*
  
  

• Dave Stapleton Quintet  

  Fri 14 Sep Symphony Hall

  This young quintet from Cardiff is led by pianist Dave Stapleton and features his original compositions. The group was a great hit at last year’s Cheltenham Jazz festival in 2006. This event will take place in the level 3 Bar. Presented in association with Birmingham Jazz.
  
  
  

• Birmingham Festival Choral Society ELIJAH 

  Sun 13 Apr 2008 Town Hall

  BFCS presents Elijah with the English Haydn Orchestra on period instruments, capturing a time when the newly formed BFCS participated in Elijah's premiere - here in Town Hall in 1846 - and performed it again in 1847 with Mendelssohn himself conducting. As Birmingham’s longest established chorus, this will be our 392nd performance in Town Hall, but the first since its refurbishment. BFCS continues to make history and this is one such occasion not to be missed. "BFCS Website":http://bfcs.org.uk
  
  Birmingham Festival Choral Society *Patrick Larley* conductor / MD for BFCS *English Haydn Orchestra* leader John Reid *Elizabeth Cragg* soprano *Harriet Goodwin* mezzo-soprano *Jon English* tenor *Mark Rowlinson* baritone *Kevin Gill* organist
  

• Vengerov plays Mozart UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra 

  Wed 9 May Symphony Hall

  Mozart Violin Concerto No 4 in D K218 Mozart Sinfonia Concertante in E flat K364 Mozart Violin Concerto No 5 in A K219, Turkish Shostakovich Chamber Symphony for Strings Op 110a Annie-Marie Minhall, news reader and presenter of Classic FM's Newsnight, says of tonight's Classic FM recommended concert "Don't miss one of the world's leading violinists live in action. Maxim Vengerov will not only be playing, but also directing both nights. The UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra is made up of around one hundred youngsters from 37 different countries. The orchestra performs each year at the prestigious Verbier Festival in Switzerland. There they get the chance to not only work with leading musicians like Vengerov, but also get to take part in masterclasses and workshops with them too.
  Maxim Vengerov, Violin/Director
  Violin Concerto No 2 in D K211 Violin Concerto No 4 in D K218
  

• Sing the Ultimate Movies with Sing Live Central 

  Sun 20 Jan 2008 Symphony Hall

  Sing Live Central are back with an unforgettable vocal extravaganza. Over 250 local singers hit the Symphony Hall Stage performing songs from _Fame_, _Dirty Dancing_, _Star Wars_, and _The Lion King_ to name just a few. Kevin Miles ‘the voice of Disney’ guides the audience through an evening celebrating some of the biggest and latest hits from the movies.
  
  *Barry Todd* Musical Director *National Festival Orchestra*
  

• Sing the Musicals 2008 Sing Live West Midlands Present 

  Sun 30 Mar Symphony Hall

  Sing Live presents this exciting concert with 180 singers from the local area performing favourite songs from the smash hit musicals including _Les Miserables_, _Phantom of the Opera_, _West Side Story_ and many more. Sing Live Ticket Office 01609 780315 £15, £17.50, £19.50, £21.50 Under 16’s £9
  
  
  

• Youth with Purpose  

  Wed 18 Jul Symphony Hall

  A celebration performance by young people working with *The Academy of Gospel Music*. A 200 strong choir drawn from schools, churches and youth groups around the Midlands. Guest appearance by The London Community Gospel Choir. A mix of voices, styles and instruments. MC Radio WM's Nikki Tapper
  
  
  

• New Generation Arts Festival:  

  Thu 5 Jun Town Hall

  
  
  
  

• Festival of Remembrance  

  Sun 2 Nov Town Hall

  
  
  
  

• Festival of Polish Folklore  

  Sat 28 Feb 2009 Symphony Hall

  
  
  
  

• Festival of Polish Folklore  

  Sun 1 Mar 2009 Symphony Hall

  
  
  
  

• Camille O'Sullivan: La Fille Du Cirque  

  Fri 5 Sep Town Hall

  Following sell out seasons in New York, UK and Australia, Camille sings the music of Nick Cave, Jacques Brel, Tom Waits, David Bowie and more. Her recent shows were awarded Spirit of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2007, Best Music at the Brighton Festival 2006 and garnered a host of 5 star reviews. Camille has recently appeared in Stephen Frears Oscar winning film Mrs Henderson Presents opposite Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins and Will Young, and has sung with Duke Special, Damien Rice and Shane McGowan. £17.50
  La Fille Du Cirque
  
  

• Young People's Debate  

  Mon 15 Oct Town Hall

  10am-3pm Town Hall has been a forum for debate and speech-making throughout its history: practically every prime minister and politician of note has spoken here. Continuing that tradition, we host a debate for 11-18 year old students throughout the West Midlands. If you want your voice to be heard come and have your say on a current topic! The event will be the first of a series of Town Hall Debates for Young People. In association with University of the First Age
  
  
  

• Town Hall Welcome Weekend - Meet the Town Hall An illustrated talk by Professor Carl Chinn MBE 

  Sun 7 Oct Town Hall

  11am-12 Noon An entertaining look at the history of Town Hall and its significance to Birmingham and the West Midlands. Featuring personal memories, historical reflections and accounts of some performers and performances, the talk will be illustrated by an accompanying slide show.
  
  
  

• Ralph McTell and The Dylan Project  

  Sat 1 Nov Town Hall

  This gala double bill features Ralph McTell, one of Britain's best-loved singersongwriters. Ralph will perform a solo set from his self-penned repertoire of great songs and this will be his only Midlands concert in 2008. The Dylan Project stars Birmingham's very own Steve Gibbons with PJ Wright, Phil Bond, and Fairport Convention's Dave Pegg and Gerry Conway.
  
  
  

• We Are Here Members of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery 

  Thu 1 Nov Symphony Hall

  Members of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery Midlands Group are staging their launch event "We Are Here" in Symphony Hall's foyer. This is a unique opportunity to meet jewellery artists and designer makers as they display their work for the start of a touring exhibition. The event is free to attend and takes place before Lesley's Garrett's concert in the main Hall. For more information visit http://www.myspace.com/acj_midlands
  
  
  

• 25th Anniversary Salute to the Falklands Campaign 55th Festival of Remembrance 

  Sun 4 Nov Town Hall

  
  
  
  

• Mahler's Third Symphony  

  Tue 7 Oct Symphony Hall

  From its opening primeval theme, thundered out by eight horns, to its exultant earth-shattering close, this is a journey of discovery like no other. Mahler’s Third Symphony is one of the most extravagant all-embracing symphonies ever written, with an impact that will fill every corner of Symphony Hall. Mahler himself spoke of it as being “of such magnitude that it mirrors the whole world”. It is performed by Iván Fischer and the Budapest Festival Orchestra, whose recent performances of Mahler have had the critics reaching for superlatives. £5-£37.50 Choir not available. Please note there is no interval.
  *Budapest Festival Orchestra* *Iván Fischer* conductor *Birgit Remmert* mezzo-soprano *The Ladies of the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus* *City of Birmingham Symphony Youth Chorus - Seniors*
  *Mahler* Symphony No 3 99’
  

• Town Hall presents Bellowhead with support In association with Moseley Folk Festival 

  Tue 16 Dec Town Hall

  Bellowhead have taken the festival scene by the scruff of the neck over the past couple of years. Voted best group and best live band in the 2007 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, their euphoric live shows are much more than just folk, taking traditional songs to modern places with a wild invention, wit and energy that defies categorisation. _“Wild, joyous, perverse, bold, crazed, full-blooded, intricate, fearless, funny, epic and mostly BIG . . . Bellowhead don't disappoint. Prepare to be amazed.”_ fRoots _“They sweep all before them into a heady mix of great tunes, innovative arrangements, rampant imagination and brazen front . . . Extraordinary.”_ Mojo
  The support acts are as follows: *The Old Dance School* and *Dave Swarbrick*
  
  

• The Ed Doolan Christmas Show  

  Fri 19 Dec Symphony Hall

  Ed and his team celebrate the festive season at Symphony Hall with a special broadcast that you can be part of. There will be special interviews with Paul Nicholas, The Krankies and Bev Bevan, as well as some great music from the West Midlands Fire Service Band and Birmingham's Community Gospel Choir. We'll also be expecting you to join in for a rousing finale of Christmas Carols led by pupils from Baverstock School! You can find more information by visiting "BBC Christmas":http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/christmas/
  
  
  

• CBSO Family Concert Classics for Kids 

  Sun 29 Apr Symphony Hall

  BBC Midlands Today presenter Michael Collie will guide you through this special concert, designed to introduce kids, parents and grandparents to the classics. FREE CREATIVE WORKSHOPS in foyer areas from 1.30pm.
  Michael Seal, Conductor Michael Collie, Presenter City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
  Features Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, Mozart's Marriage of Figaro Overture, the Star Wars theme, and many more.
  

• Carols by Candlelight  

  Sat 20 Dec Symphony Hall

  Herald Christmas in the most elegant way with this joyous concert of carols and seasonal classics presented with all the grace and charm of the 18th Century in an evocative candle-lit style setting. CAROLS FOR ALL including _Good King Wenceslas_, _God Rest You Merry Gentlemen_, _Once in Royal David’s City_, _Away in a Manger_, _Hark! The Herald Angels Sing_, _It Came Upon The Midnight Clear_, _O Little Town of Bethlehem_, _Unto Us Is Born A Son_, _The First Noel_.
  *Steven Devine* conductor *Laura Parfitt* soprano *MOZART FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA* in full period costume *MOZART FESTIVAL CHORUS*
  *Handel* Zadok the Priest, Let the bright Seraphim, Christmas sequence from Messiah *Mozart* Laudate Dominum *Corelli* Allegro and Pastorale from Christmas Concerto *Vivaldi* Gloria (Opening Chorus)
  

• Festival of Young Musicians with Aled Jones  

  Sat 22 Nov Symphony Hall

  Marking 120 years of Child Protection, the NSPCC Birmingham Branch proudly presents a festival of young musicians. Broadcaster and singer Aled Jones will be presenting an exciting and varied programme of some of the city’s most gifted and talented young musicians • including The Birmingham Schools Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, the highly acclaimed Azaad Dhol Group, Training Wind Orchestra, Steel Band and Gospel Choir. Plus solo performance by Aled Jones. Produced and directed by Jeremy Blunt of Birmingham Schools Service. Organised by the NSPCC’s Birmingham Branch of Volunteers all the profits raised from this event will support the NSPCC’s vital work with local children • the goal is to raise £25,000. £15, Discounts available
  
  
  

• The Four Seasons By Candlelight  

  Sun 30 Dec Symphony Hall

  Vivaldi’s masterpiece is a fitting finale to this superb concert of beautiful 18th Century classics performed in full period costume in an evocative candle-lit style setting.
  *Steven Devine* Director/Harpsichord *Nicola Stonehouse* Soprano *David Juritz* Violin *Crispian Steele-Perkins* Trumpet *Tom Rainer* Trumpet *Mozart Festival Orchestra* In full period costume
  *Handel* I know that my redeemer liveth, Let the bright Seraphim *Purcell* Trumpet Suite *Bach* Air on the G String *Vivaldi* Concerto for Two Trumpets *Albinoni* Adagio *Pachelbel* Canon *Vivaldi* The Four Seasons
  

• National Festival of Music for Youth - 7th July  

  Mon 7 Jul Symphony Hall

  
  Admission subject to availability on arrival at the venue.
  Events are taking place at Symphony Hall & Adrian Boult Hall
  

• Christmas Gala  

  Fri 14 Dec Symphony Hall

  Angela Rippon introduces a delightful assortment of festive music and merriment for this special time of year.
  *Angela Rippon* Presenter *Fraser Goulding* Conductor *Stephanie Corley* Soprano *Luke Bowen* Treble *Paul O’Neill* Tenor *London Concert Orchestra*
  *RIMSKY-KORSAKOV* Christmas Eve Polonaise *HUMPERDINCK* Evening Prayer Hansel and Gretel *PUCCINI* Christmas Love Duet La bohème *STRAUSS* Die Fledermaus Overture *TCHAIKOVSKY* The Nutcracker Suite *BACH* Ave Maria *FRANCK* Panis Angelicus *ANDERSON* A Christmas Festival, Sleigh Ride, The Typewriter, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells, White Christmas, *CAROLS FOR ALL* including Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, God Rest You Merry Gentlemen, The First Nowell, Away In A manger
  

• Celebrating Sibelius: I  

  Thu 20 Sep Symphony Hall

  The seven symphonies of Sibelius have been absolutely central to Sakari Oramo's ten seasons in Birmingham. His performances with the CBSO have been acclaimed around the world in concert and on CD, but it is more than seven years since Birmingham audiences have had a chance to hear a complete cycle. So, to open his final season as Music Director, and to mark the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death (which falls today), here is another opportunity to hear these magnificent works, alongside some of Sibelius's lesser-known music. We begin with a symphony that has a significant Birmingham history - the Fourth, which received its UK premiere at the last-ever Birmingham Triennial Festival in 1912. We also welcome a Finnish cellist to play the music that was the closest Sibelius came to writing a concerto for that instrument. 6.15pm FREE Pre-concert talk
  *Sakari Oramo* conductor *Martti Rousi* cello
  Sibelius: _The Swan of Tuonela_ Sibelius: Symphony No. 4 Sibelius: Three Symphonic Pieces for Cello and Orchestra (UK Premiere) Sibelius: Symphony No. 1
  

• Sibelius and Elgar in Birmingham Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra 

  Sat 8 Dec Town Hall

  A hundred years ago Sibelius visited Birmingham where his music was regularly performed. It was at Birmingham's 1912 Triennial Festival that he met his great contemporary Elgar and conducted the first British performance of his own Fourth Symphony, lean and concise yet full of explosive passion. Now, 50 years after Sibelius's death and 150 years after Elgar's birth, we bring these two composers together once again. Classic FM's Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight's recommended concert: _" We're coming to the end of 2007 which has seen two anniversaries of two great composers whose music is featured tonight. Tonight, Elgar fans have their chance to enjoy the Violin Concerto, the violin was Elgar's own instrument and he aimed to make a career as a soloist himself at one point."_ *6.15pm Pre-concert talk: Lyndon Jenkins, Elgar and Sibelius at the 1912 Birmingham Festival*
  *John Storgards* Conductor *Isabel van Keulen* Violin
  *Elgar* Violin Concerto 50' *Sibelius* Symphony No 4 30' *Sibelius* Finlandia 7'
  

• The Salsa Ball in association with SalsaFever.com 

  Sat 8 Nov Town Hall

  Go Latin in Birmingham at one of the finest music halls in the country. An evening of salsa grooves from the UK’s hottest salsa band. Award-winning Alex Wilson is at the helm of his renowned 12-piece Salsa Orchestra, a scintillating line-up of the best contemporary salsa rhythm, brass and vocal musicians, for the Midlands launch of his new album. Before the full salsa showdown, loosen up those Latino limbs in the hands of our host Rohan Brown and expert instructors from Salsafever.com, with free classes and salsa DJs from 8pm onwards. _‘Alex Wilson has been slaying ‘em with his authentic, exciting Afro-Cuban’_ *Mojo* _‘It’s tempting to wear a hat to his gigs just to be able to throw it up in the air!’_ *Guardian* £18.50 Dress to impress - black tie preferred but not essential. *Tickets also available from www.salsafever.com*
  Alex Wilson Salsa Orchestra
  
  

• Fierce! Franko B: Don't Leave Me This Way 

  Saturday 19th May Book through our ticket office for CBSO Centre

  One of Fierce's most popular and provocative performers, Franko B makes a welcome return to the festival with his new piece 'Don't Leave Me This Way'. Franko has earned himself both notoriety and great artistic acclaim with performances such as 'I Miss You' where he used his flesh as literal raw material, tearing into his own skin to create his visceral blood-based works. In 'Don't Leave Me This Way' � which has been developed with lighting designer Kamal Ackarie � Franko's body one again provides both the subject and form of the piece, yet here it remains unruptured as the artist asks us to consider his prone frame as a living sculpture. However the piece is no less visceral than Franko's previous works for as the audience's eyes wander over his heavily tattooed frame the room is slowly engulfed with blinding light which literally scorches the image onto the retinas as much as it does the memory. The research and development of this piece was made possible with the kind support of the Arts Council of England. More about the Fierce Festival can be found at their "website":http://fiercetv.co.uk
  Franko B in collaboration with Kamal Ackarie
  
  

• Folk Britannia  

  Sun 27 Apr Symphony Hall

  A screening of the acclaimed three-part BBC Four documentary. Admission free to ticket holders for either Billy Bragg, Rising Folk or Daughters of Albion. "Click here":http://www.thsh.co.uk/englishoriginals for full English Originals festival line up.
  
  
  

• Christmas Festival at THSH  

  Thu 18 Dec Symphony Hall

  
  A fantastic selection of fesitve events to get you in the Christmas spirit and bring in the New Year.
  
  

• International Dance Festival Birmingham: Social Ballroom Dance  

  Mon 5 May Town Hall

  The very best of social dancing in the elegant setting of Town Hall. Live music from Gary Allcock and Midland All Stars Band. £15
  
  
  

• Goldfrapp plus Special Guests  

  Sun 22 Jun Symphony Hall

  Following the release of their new album _Seventh Tree_, genre-busting pop pioneers Goldfrapp perform at Symphony Hall. During their Supernature tour the band sealed their reputation as one of the most exciting live acts around with two sell out UK tours and festival performances across Europe.
  
  
  

• 'AND NOW, THE NEWS'  

  Thu 5 Jun Town Hall

  What soundtrack would you choose to accompany the news? Have you wondered about the music behind the headlines? A new commission by New Guide to Opera (Michael Wolters and Marcus Dross) explores this idea in our increasingly media-driven society, with original music performed to a live broadcast of the BBC News. The performance features students from Birmingham Conservatoire alongside cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, one of the most creative musicians of his generation. Julian will also perform a new work written specifically for him by Howard Goodall. The concert launches both the New Generation Arts Festival and Integra 2008, taking place at Birmingham Conservatoire. Integra works take centre stage in the second half, with the performance of a second commission, by Ed Bennett and Juneau Projects as well as a performance by renowned swedish ensemble Ars Nova and works by Pierre Jodlowski and Kent Oloffson. £10, 60 Plus/Under 16’s/Unwaged £8, Students £2.50 Please note that, owing to the live link with the BBC News, this concert will start promptly at 7pm. Please be seated by 6.55pm.
  *Launch of New Generation Arts Festival and Integra 2008* *Julian Lloyd Webber* _cello_
  
  

• The Spirit Of The Triennial Festival Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment 

  Thu 1 Nov Town Hall

  In celebration of the re-opening of Town Hall, we recreate, with period instruments, a concert that might have been heard in the heyday of Birmingham's great Triennial Festival. Between 1834 and 1912 many leading composers came to conduct their own works, ranging from Mendelssohn, Grieg and Dvorak through to Elgar. This unique event reflects the grandeur of the original concerts (note the starting time!) and includes works by Mendelssohn, Sullivan and Grieg, many originally commissioned for Birmingham and first heard in Town Hall. Please note: This concert has two intervals.
  *Richard Hickox* Conductor *Joan Rodgers* Soprano *James Gilchrist* Tenor *Melvyn Tan* Piano *Thomas Trotter* Organ Introduced by *Lyndon Jenkins*
  *Cherubini* Overture, _Anacreon_ *Mozart* Mitradi ( _Don Giovanni_ ) *Haydn* In native worth (The Creation) *Bach* Prelude and Fugue in E flat, St Anne *Mendelssohn* Excerpts from Elijah *Mendelssohn* Piano Concerto No 2 *Elgar* Contrasts (Three Characteristic Pieces) *Gounod* Judex (Mors et Vita) *Grieg* Songs with Orchestra *Sullivan* Overture di Ballo
  

• Friday Night Classics: You Call The Tunes  

  Fri 7 Mar Symphony Hall

  Tonight the CBSO plays the people's favourites in a concert packed with Midlanders' most-loved classical music. From the shortlist of 20 of the most popular pieces that were nominated by the public, 10 spectacular choices have now been voted into the concert: 6' *Borodin Prince Igor: Polovtsian Dances (from figure 1: Presto)* 11' Elgar: Cello Concerto: 1st movement 13' Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending (complete) 15' Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue 15' Vaughan Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (complete) 3' Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini: Variation 18 11' Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2: 3rd movement 8' Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1: 3rd movement 5' Elgar: Enigma Variations: Nimrod 8' Holst: The Planets: Jupiter Tommy Pearson presents this countdown performance in Symphony Hall on 7 March, culminating in the Midlands' Favourite Classic for 2008.
  *Michael Seal* Conductor
  
  

• Massed Choirs Concert with Guest Performers 

  Sat 28 Jun Town Hall

  The English Association Of Male Voice Choirs present a wonderful night of a wide range of music hosted by the Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir (founded in 1900). With the Massed Male Voice Choirs of Kidderminster, Gentlemen Songsters, Forest of Dean, Cradley Heath, Warley, Worcester and Churchdown. Presented by the Birmingham historian and BBC West Midlands’ personality, Professor Carl Chinn. With special guest appearances from the international organist Keith Hearnshaw, celebrated soprano Sharron Burns and the famous Midlands young persons string group Bravura. A wonderful night with a wide range of music. The EAMVC have a history of donating to good causes.
  *Hosted by Birmingham Icknield Male Voice Choir* *Steve Roche* Musical Director *David Rosser* Piano *Carl Chinn* Presenter
  
  

• Bryan Corbett Quartet  

  Fri 28 Sep Symphony Hall

  Bryan Corbett’s career continues to grow with great appearances at Cheltenham Jazz festival, firstly as soloist with the BBC Concert Orchestra in the ‘Michael Parkinson Presents’ concert and then with his own quartet. This event will take place in the level 3 Bar. Presented in association with Birmingham Jazz.
  
  
  

• Staffordshire Sings 2008  

  Sun 9 Mar Symphony Hall

  A celebration of singing featuring performers aged 7 to 70, presented by Staffordshire Performing Arts Service. £6, £10, £12, £15, £16 60 plus/full-time-students/under 16’s/ unwaged £4, £7, £8, £10, £17
  *David Lawrence & Nigel M. Taylor* Conductors *Staffordshire ‘Songbirds’, Primary Schools Massed Choir, Festival Youth Choir, County Chorus & Youth Orchestra Central*
  
  

• Jazz Line Up  

  Sat 6 Oct Symphony Hall

  A live edition of BBC Radio 3’s Jazz Line Up presented by Claire Martin, to celebrate the Re-Opening Weekend festival of Town Hall. Featuring live music from Andy Hamilton and the Blue Notes and the Phil Robson Quartet. Plus the latest jazz news, interviews and recordings. This event will take place in the Level 3 Bar at Symphony Hall.
  
  
  

• Late-Night Light Night  

  Fri 12 Sep Town Hall

  In a thrilling evening of sound and light, Town Hall throws open the doors for an exclusive event showcasing some of the freshest musical talent from around the West Midlands. The party gets underway inside the iconic landmark with beats from Manga (Shaanti, Funkshaan), live hip hop and jazz with Soweto Kinch plus performances courtesy of Maylight and The Sub Ensemble. Expect a mix of beats, bass, brass and amazing vocals for a funky ArtsFest Friday. Outside Town Hall, spectacular illuminations and visuals will present the iconic building in a whole new light as part of Light Night Birmingham, a project featuring innovative architectural lighting of city centre landmarks. Free entry and a dazzling late-night audiovisual experience offers an opportunity to see the restored venue as never before. Admission FREE Presented in association with "Birmingham Jazz":http://www.birminghamjazz.co.uk/ Soweto Kinch is a Town Hall Associate Artist.
  *Soweto Kinch* *Manga* *The Sub Ensemble* *Maylight*
  
  

• Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain Christmas Special 

  Thu 6 Dec Town Hall

  The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain is a cult orchestra of all-singing, all-strumming, all-plucking ukulele players, featuring only ukuleles little ones, big ones, high ones, low ones, with not a twang incongruous. No guitars, No drums, No pianos, No backing tracks, and certainly No banjos. The orchestra has sold out shows all over the UK and have made triumphant appearances at the Glastonbury Festival, The Big Chill, the Edinburgh Fringe, and on Jools Holland’s Hootenanny on BBC 2.
  
  
  

• English Originals: Seth Lakeman, Tunng & Guests  

  Sat 26 Apr Town Hall

  An evening featuring some of the brightest talent to come out of the UK's contemporary folk scene featuring rising star *Seth Lakeman*, sonic adventurers *Tunng*, and *Sharron Kraus*, the hauntingly beautiful new voice of Dark Folk.. £19.50 "Click here":http://www.thsh.co.uk/englishoriginals for full English Originals festival line up.
  
  
  

• Andrew Taylor: The Public City  

  Mon 16 Jun Town Hall

  Andrew Taylor, with an invited panel, will discuss the nature of cities as public places, showing how European cities, from Venice to Barcelona, have achieved their greatness through their parks and public spaces. Andrew is a founding partner of Patel Taylor, a practice distinguished by its commitment to particularity of place and a passion to make the urban fabric more human. The practice has gained recognition for projects, including thames barrier park and Old Market Square Nottingham, where architecture, landscape and urban design are integrated into a seamless whole. In 2006, from an international shortlist of 6, Patel Taylor won Birmingham City Council’s competition to design the Eastside Urban Park which will be Birmingham’s first city park for over a century. Tickets £5 The talk will be for 30 minutes then Philip Singleton, Acting Assistant Director city centre development and design will chair a 30 minute panel discussion with questions from the audience. Talking cities is organised between Birmingham City University, School of Architecture and made, the Regional Aarchitecture Centre in the West Midlands. Sponsored by Atkins.
  *Talking Cities Urban Design Public Lecture Series*
  
  

• Talking Cities: Urban Design Lecture Series Robert West: People Shaping Places, Kings Cross Central 

  Mon 20 Oct Town Hall

  Birmingham’s Big City Plan is set to transform the city centre. As the regeneration goes ahead, should the citizen’s of Birmingham be involved in the shaping of its city’s public spaces? Learning from the experiences of Kings Cross, one of London’s most ambitious regeneration schemes, Bob West, Head of Urban Design and Renewal at Camden Council will reflect on the award-winning community engagement process. Bob will talk for 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes for discussion. Bob is the winner of the Mayor of London Planning Award 2008 for Best Personal Contribution to Planning for his commitment to the regeneration of the Kings Cross Area. The ambitious masterplan will deliver a mixed use development with new office buildings, the restoration and refurbishment of 20 historic buildings and structures, 2,000 homes, 20 new streets, and 10 new major public spaces. Talking Cities is the 2008 Urban Design Public Lecture series organised between Birmingham City University, School of Architecture and MADE, the Regional Architecture Centre in the West Midlands. £5 with concessions for students. Sponsored by Aitkins
  
  
  

• English Originals: Billy Bragg & Special Guests  

  Fri 25 Apr Town Hall

  *With Chris Wood + Kitty, Daisy & Lewis* The ‘Baird of Barking’ hosts an evening with special guests exploring his English roots, expect also some offerings from his splendid new album _Mr Love & Justice._ Plus at 6.30pm Billy will give a pre-concert reading and talk based on his new book _The Progressive Patriot_. £15, £18.50, £22.50 "Click here":http://www.thsh.co.uk/englishoriginals for full English Originals festival line up.
  
  
  

• KODO One Earth Tour 

  Fri 8 Feb Symphony Hall

  Exploring the limitless possibilities of the traditional Japanese drum, the taiko, KODO are forging new directions for a vibrant living art-form. Since their debut at the Berlin Festival in 1981, KODO have given over 3,000 performances on all five continents, spending about a third of the year overseas, a third touring in Japan and a third resting and preparing new material on Sado Island. £19.50, £23.50, £26.50 JAL- Japan Airlines is the official airline of KODO One Earth Tour Europe 2008 "KODO Website":http://www.kodo.or.jp
  
  
  

• Talking Cities: Urban Design Public Series  

  Wed 26 Nov Town Hall

  DAVID WEST of STUDIO EGRET-WEST talking on Strategy to Specificity The future of Birmingham’s Big City Plan will be defined by courage, cultural change and commitment to see ideas through. David West will discuss the challenges faced in translating “big ideas” through the scales - from Strategy to Specificity. David is a partner of Studio Egret West and a planner and urban designer specialising in urban visions and strategic framework plans. Since graduating from Manchester University / TU Delft, Holland, David has worked on a number of diverse projects all over the world. At Atkins, he worked on large scale masterplans in China, Portugal, Abu Dhabi, and Brazil. Then at Alsop, he established and led the ‘Big Architecture’ team, formulating radical urban strategies that challenged conventional thinking about places. Having set up Studio Egret West with Christophe Egret in 2004, David has pursued a passion for delivering place specific strategies and solutions. David sits on the CABE London 2012 Design Review Panel. Talking Cities is the 2008 Urban Design Public Lecture series organised between Birmingham City University, School of Architecture and MADE, the Regional Architecture Centre in the West Midlands. £5 and concessionary rates for students This event is sponsored by Atkins.
  
  
  

• Town Hall Dances - Festival Tea Dance  

  Returns Only

  Tue 9 Oct Town Hall

  This concert is currently sold out. There may be some late tickets released nearer the time, for availability please call the ticket office on 0121 780 3333. Unfortunately it is not possible to operating a waiting list for this event 2.30pm-5pm Re-live those Tea Dance memories and take your partner for a twirl round the Town Hall floor, with live music from Gary Allcock and his Midland All Stars Band. *Please note that there is a Christmas Tea Dance at 2.30pm, Tuesday 4th December.*
  
  
  

• Soweto Kinch: The Midnight Hop  

  Programme Change

  Sat 13 Oct Town Hall

  The _Midnight Hop_ is a jazz celebration of the forgotten stories of 18th- and 19th-century black musicians in England, inspired by the fabled 'Black Hops' informal jigs where the black population (including escaped or freed slaves) mingled with the poorer members of the white majority, provoking plentiful social comment. Over the past month, 28 talented young people aged 8 - 20 from Birmingham have had the opportunity to work with award-winning jazz saxophonist and Town Hall Associate Artist Soweto Kinch. The Young Midnight Hop participants have devised a music-theatre piece based on the hidden history of black musicians in England during the 18th and 19th centuries and issues around the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The premiere of their piece, entitled _The Long Voyage_, will be performed in a special celebratory evening alongside a selection of music from Soweto's major new music-theatre piece _Midnight Hop_. Soweto Kinch is a Town Hall associate artist. Supported by Arts Council England West Midlands, Performing Right Society Foundation, The Steel Charitable Trust and Grantham Yorke Trust.
  *Soweto Kinch Jazz Ensemble* *Young Midnight Hop performers*
  
  

• International Dance Festival Birmingham: Tillana Tarana  

  Wed 7 May Town Hall

  Co-presented by sampad South Asian Arts, this double-bill features two of the biggest names in Classical Indian Dance. Malavika Sarukkai, who has amazed audiences for over 25 years, performs Bharatanatyam accompanied by musicians from India. Nahid Siddiqui, one of the world’s finest Kathak dancers, performs a stunning piece featuring musicians from Pakistan. £9, £13.50, £17.50 60 plus/full time students/unwaged/ disabled patrons £7.50, £12, £16
  *Malavika Sarukkai* *Nahid Siddiqui*
  
  

• Christmas Carol Singalong  

  Sun 23 Dec Symphony Hall

  Direct from the Royal Albert Hall following 10 years of sell-out shows. Clap your hands, Stamp your feet and sing...sing...along.
  *Jonathon Cohen* *Sophie-Louise Dann* Vocalist *Birmingham Festival Choral Society* *London Concert Orchestra*
  *Programme includes;* Hark! The Herald Angels Sing White Christmas Merry Christmas Everyone Silent Night I Wish it could be Christmas Everyday While Shepherds Watched O Holy Night The Twelve days of Christmas O come, all ye faithful Santa Claus is coming to town Winter Wonderland O little town of Bethlehem
  

• Messiah  

  Sat 5 Apr Symphony Hall

  Ex Cathedra celebrates the beginning of its 40th Anniversary Project by recreating a landmark concert in Birmingham’s cultural history, the 1784 ‘Commemoration of Handel’ performance of Messiah which launched the Birmingham Triennial Festival. Ex Cathedra will bring together the best large-scale chorus of its size ever assembled, featuring its unique blend of professional, professionally-trained amateur and student singers, a chorus for the 21st century. £7, £14, £21, £28, £35
  *Ex Cathedra XL Anniversary Choir* *Jeffrey Skidmore* Conducter *Orchestra Of The Age Of Enlightenment* *Carolyn Sampson* Soprano *Iestyn Davies* Counter Tenor *James Gilchrist* Tenor *Peter Harvey* Bass
  
  

• Christmas Carol Singalong  

  Tue 23 Dec Symphony Hall

  Back by popular demand *JONATHAN COHEN* invites you to join the fun with favourite Christmas songs and carols galore. _Clap your hands, stamp your feet and sing your heart out!_
  _Special Guest Singer_ *Sophie-Louise Dann* Birmingham Festival Choral Society London Concert Orchestra
  Jingle Bells Ding dong! Merrily on high Winter Wonderland The Twelve Days of Christmas O come, all ye faithful Once in royal David’s city God rest you merry, gentlemen O little town of Bethlehem Away in a manger Let it snow Santa Claus is coming to town Hark! the herald angels sing Frosty the Snowman The first Nowell
  

• Town Hall Dances - Grand Festival Ballroom Dance  

  Returns Only

  Tue 9 Oct Town Hall

  "This concert is currently sold out. There may be some late tickets released nearer the time, for availability please call the ticket office on 0121 780 3333. Unfortunately it is not possible to operate a waiting list for this event". Doors open 7.30pm, dancing 8pm-11pm Be whisked off your feet in Town Hall's outstandingly beautiful and historical setting. Join us for an evening of elegance, entertainment and the very best of social dancing with our fabulous live band Midland All Stars. To rest those weary feet, there’ll be exhibition dancing from Keith and Kay Hateley, Jonathan Jones and Lisa Branigan. *Please note that there is a Christmas Ballroom Dance at 8pm, Tuesday 4th December.*
  
  
  

• English Originals Weekend Festival Exploring the rich and diverse traditions of English Music 

  Fri 25 Apr - Sun 27 Apr Town Hall & Symphony Hall

  Much has been made recently of the musical traditions of Ireland and Scotland and more recently Welsh music has begun to assert itself. But what of our own English traditions? In the week of St George’s Day, three special concerts at Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall celebrate Englishness, in all it’s diversity, from traditional folk to contemporary singer-songwriters, individuals all connected by a strong sense of place, identity and wit, as well as possessing some fine musical talent. National treasure and renowned singer-songwriter *Billy Bragg* opens the weekend (25 Apr) at Town Hall with an evening of exploration, looking at his own English roots and performing songs from his splendid new album _Mr Love and Justice_. Expect some special guests appearing on stage for a memorable night of inspired musical offerings from the ‘Baird of Barking’. Town Hall welcomes the fresh sound of emerging talent with an evening of Rising Folk (26 Apr), featuring *Seth Lakeman*, hot on the heels of his double 2007 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award success for ‘Best Album’ and ‘Singer of the Year’. A former band mate of Kate Rusby and Cara Dillon and now sharing a record label with KT Tunstall and Joss Stone, Seth is one of the rising stars of English folk. Organic shape shifting folk-electronica collective *Tunng* will also be performing, twisting familiar folk soundscapes with their stunning and unique blend of experimental production, live vocals and music along with more artists to be confirmed soon. Exploring the rich tradition of English female song and singers, the Festival presents the celebrated sounds of *Daughters of Albion* at Town Hall (27 Apr). Promising a night of dark wit interwoven with melancholy and passion, and featuring the talents of *Norma Waterson, June Tabor, Kathryn Williams, Bishi, Lou Rhodes and Lisa Knapp* this is a unique opportunity to let some of the finest female voices in this country take you on an exhilarating journey through English music traditions both past and present.
  
  
  

• Raymond Froggatt in Concert The Lights of Amsterdam Tour 2007 

  Thu 22 Nov Town Hall

  After his stunning guest appearance during the Town Hall Re-Opening Festival, Raymond Froggatt returns for his own concert. Join Froggie and his band at their hometown gig on his current ‘Lights Of Amsterdam’ world tour. As well as writing numerous hit records for artistes the world over Froggie writes and sings his own songs mesmerising his audience, making them laugh with one of his many stories or cry with emotion with a song that touches the heart like no other. Raymond’s hits include : _Red Balloon_, _Roly_, _Big Ship_, _Only The Memories_, _and Under The Sun_. An evening with Raymond Froggatt is pure magic, an evening not to be missed.
  
  
  

• Julian Cope lecture- Ancient Worship of the Gods Beyond Rome plus screening of Haxan accompanied by live soundtrack 

  Mon 26 May Town Hall

  Capsule present an event at Town Hall as part of Fierce Festival, featuring an evening of the occult with visionary rock musician and hip archaeologist Julian Cope. Cope will present one of his infamous lectures, based on his years of study of the occult, mythology and Britain’s pre-history. Followed by a screening of cult film Haxan (1922 dir: Benjamin Christensen)-an other worldly vision of grave robbing, torture, possessed nuns, baby sacrifices and satanic Sabbath, with a live soundtrack by art house electronix outfit Bronnt Industries Kapital. "Capsule":http://capsule.org.uk
  
  
  

• Last Night of the Christmas Proms Please note this performance is exactly the same as the previously named Christmas Festival Proms 

  Sun 28 Dec Symphony Hall

  _Classic…after Classic…after Classic_
  Wynne Evans _tenor_ Camilla Roberts _soprano_ John Pryce-Jones _conductor_ London Concert Orchestra
  *Rossini* The Thieving Magpie Overture *Sousa* Semper Fidelis *Khatchaturian* Masquerade Waltz *Grieg* Morning and In The Hall Of The Mountain King *Mussorgsky* Great Gate of Kiev *Suppé* Light Cavalry Overture *Strauss* Radetzky March *Elgar* Chanson de Matin *Puccini* O soave fanciulla *and all your proms favourites* _Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines_ _Hornpipe_ _Land of Hope and Glory_ _Nessun Dorma_ _Rule, Britannia_
  

• We Are The Music Makers  

  Mon 8 Oct Town Hall

  An emotional moment as the CBSO returns to the Hall in which Edward Elgar conducted its very first concert. His _Music Makers_ was premiered here in October 1912 at the very last Triennial Festival. Its text captures the spirit of our own times as well as looking back to the past, a time of the end of empire and a society in transition towards a very different world. The black British composer Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Violin Concerto had its UK premiere in 1912, on this very day, just weeks before his premature death.
  City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
  Parry: I Was Glad Elgar: The Music Makers Coleridge-Taylor: Violin Concerto
  

• Spanish for Beginners! Classical Encounters with Orchestra of the Swan 

  Sun 21 Oct Town Hall

  The final concert of our Re-opening Festival is your first chance to enjoy a _Classical Encounter with Orchestra of the Swan_. _Spanish for Beginners_ is the first in a series of friendly and informal afternoon concerts hosted by conductor David Curtis. The centrepiece of the programme is Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto, its haunting slow movement the epitome of Spanish melancholy. "www.orchestraoftheswan.org":http://www.orchestraoftheswan.org
  *David Curtis* Conductor *David Le Page* Violin *Morgan Szymanski* Guitar
  *Elgar*: Suite, _The Spanish Lady_ *Piazzolla*: Four Seasons of Buenos Aires *Rossini*: Overture, _The Barber of Seville_ *Rodrigo*: Concierto de Aranjuez
  

• Brum Rocks Extra for the Children's A concert in aid of Birmingham Children's Hospital Red Balloon Appeal 

  Fri 5 Oct Town Hall

  The 19th-century Town Hall Triennial Festival concerts were fundraisers for the General Hospital. History comes full circle in tonight's unique event: some of the world's greatest rock legends join an all-star line-up to raise funds for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Red Balloon Appeal. A celebration of the heyday of Brum Rock, this event is a fantastic opportunity for a trip down memory lane and a great night out.
  Line up (subject to availability) includes *Bev Bevan's Move*, *Jasper Carrott*, *Rod Allen and the Fortunes*, *Geoff Turton and the Rockin Berries*, *Dave Pegg* (Fairport Convention), and *Robert Plant* (Led Zeppelin).
  
  

• Wagner: Passion Beyond Reason  

  Wed 28 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Andris Nelsons has already won great acclaim for his interpretations of Wagner’s operas in Riga, and next year he makes his debut at the Bayreuth Festival. For his first CBSO Wagner outing, he has chosen contrasting extended sequences from three of the composer’s greatest operas, culminating in the apocalyptic climax of the entire Ring cycle. Acclaimed Swedish soprano Iréne Theorin takes the roles of Isolde and Brünnhilde - two of the very greatest operatic heroines, both driven by a love more powerful than life itself.
  Andris Nelsons - conductor Iréne Theorin - soprano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
  Wagner: Tannhäuser - Overture and Venusberg Music 24’ Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Prelude and Liebestod 17’ Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Siegfried’s Rhine Journey, Siegfried’s Funeral March & Brünnhilde’s Immolation
  

• Wagner: Passion Beyond Reason  

  Thu 29 Jan 2009 Symphony Hall

  Andris Nelsons has already won great acclaim for his interpretations of Wagner’s operas in Riga, and next year he makes his debut at the Bayreuth Festival. For his first CBSO Wagner outing, he has chosen contrasting extended sequences from three of the composer’s greatest operas, culminating in the apocalyptic climax of the entire Ring cycle. Acclaimed Swedish soprano Iréne Theorin takes the roles of Isolde and Brünnhilde - two of the very greatest operatic heroines, both driven by a love more powerful than life itself.
  Andris Nelsons - conductor Iréne Theorin - soprano City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
  Wagner: Tannhäuser - Overture and Venusberg Music 24’ Wagner: Tristan und Isolde - Prelude and Liebestod 17’ Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Siegfried’s Rhine Journey, Siegfried’s Funeral March & Brünnhilde’s Immolation
  

• Ex Cathedra: Spirit of the Age  

  Sun 14 Oct Town Hall

  Join us for a celebration of Birmingham's world-renowned choral heritage. Ex Cathedra find inspiration in past, present and future with music that stretches from the first Triennial Festival in 1784 to the present day. As well as music by the great composers who have featured so prominently in Birmingham’s past - Handel, Mendelssohn, Elgar - the concert brings us right up to date with music by six living composers, including a new commission from John Joubert and a work by Fyfe Hutchins (aka Fyfe Dangerfield of the Guillemots). Ex Cathedra Choir is a Town Hall Associate Artist.
  *Ex Cathedra Choir* *Jeffrey Skidmore* Conductor *Alex Mason* Organ
  programme includes A new commission from John Joubert A work by Fyfe Hutchins, aka Fyfe Dangerfield of the Guillemots
  

• Monteverdi's Flaming Heart I Fagiolini 

  Wed 21 Nov Town Hall

  Monteverdi believed that music could inflame even frozen hearts. Few are better equipped to test his theory than I Fagiolini, whose performances bristle with immediacy and raw physicality. The first of two Monteverdi concerts, at the newly refurbished Town Hall, _Flaming Heart_ is a passionate journey through the rich variety of Monteverdi's secular choral pieces, from unaccompanied madrigals to intimate duets and grander works with strings, in a stunning semi-dramatised performance. BBC Music magazine's Editor, Oliver Condy, explains why he has recommended tonight's concert: "_This isn't your regular choir! I Fagiolini perform with the thrilling combination of wit, imagination and exquisite ensemble work._" *6.15pm Pre-concert talk:* Robert Hollingworth in conversation with John Whenham Presented in association with Birmingham Early Music Festival
  *Robert Hollingworth* Director
  
  

• Celebrating Messiaen  

  Fri 20 Jun Town Hall

  The Conservatoire’s end of year concert celebrates the centenary of the birth of Olivier Messiaen in tremendous style, while marking the end of the New Generation Arts Festival and the start of Messiaen 2008, a weekend of concerts and a major international conference devoted to the composer, hosted by Birmingham Conservatoire. Ranging from his first published orchestral work, the remarkable Les Offrandes oubliées, written when he was just twenty-one years old, to the musical souvenirs of Japan of Sept Haïkaï, the evening provides a glimpse of the diversity of Messiaen’s music. £10, 60 plus/Under 16’s/Unwaged £8, Students £2.50
  *Birmingham Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra* *Lionel Friend* conductor *Rebeca Omordia* piano *Colin Scott* piano
  Messiaen Les Offrandes oubliées Messiaen Sept Haïkaï Debussy Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune Messiaen L’Ascension Messiaen Oiseaux exotiques
  

• An English Celebration for St George's Day 2008  

  Sat 26 Apr Symphony Hall

  Songs and music to celebrate St. George’s Day presented by the Birmingham St. George’s Day Association. This year’s concert includes music from Elizabeth II’s Coronation, James Bond films, World War II,with Joseph, and Phantom of The Opera, plus dramatic re-enactment in traditional costume; with Stagecoach Theatre Arts, Highbury Players & Youth Theatre, Wylde Green Dance Academy, Birmingham Festival Choral Society, and Voices in Harmony, plus Massed Male Voice Choirs. With special guest HRH Crown Prince Shewbomin of Burma. £6, £8
  *Professor Carl Chinn MBE* Compere *James Ward* Musical Director *Sovereign Brass* *Jean Lowe* Piano *Darren Hogg* Organ *Billy Spakemon* Black Country poet The popular English folk group *Show Of Hands* *Sharron Burns, Sarah Ryan and Brian Jones* Soloists
  
  

• Carols By Candlelight  

  Mon 24 Dec Symphony Hall

  Reflecting the grace and charm of the 18th century, this exquisite concert of carols and enchanting festive music presented in an evocative candle-lit style setting is the most elegant way to usher in Christmas. Featuring Bach’s Air on the G String, Pachelbel’s Canon and carols for all including O Come, All ye Faithful, Good King Wenceslas, The First Nowell, Unto Us is Born and Once in Royal David’s City.
  *Robert Howarth* Conductor *Nicola Stonehouse* Soprano *Canzonetta Choir* *Mozart Festival Orchestra* in full period costume
  *Vivaldi* Gloria (Opening Chorus) *Bach* Air on the G String *Bach* Sleepers Wake *Arr. Cullen* Joy to the World *Arr. Cullen* Of the Father’s heart begotten *Handel* Christmas Sequence from _Messiah_ *Handel*Let the Bright Seraphim *Pachebel* Canon *Arr. Pearsall* In dulci jubilo *Mozart* Allelujah from _Exsultate Jubilate_ *Corelli* Allegro and Pastorale from _Christmas Concerto_
  

• Re-opening Concert Repeat Performance: Hallelujah!  

  Sat 20 Oct Town Hall

  A second chance to hear our stunning reopening concert! An outstanding line-up of local and national musicians performs Quincy Jones's Messiah:A Soulful Celebration - a classic from the Town Hall's Triennial Festival past in a pioneering gospel/soul re-imagination for the future. Dusting down another classic alongside that, Duke Ellington's brilliant big-band revisioning of Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker' Suite is sheer fun-loving genius.
  *Ruby Turner*, *Cleveland Watkiss* Vocals *Black Voices* (Carol Pemberton, Music Director) *Town Hall Gospel Choir*, *BBC Big Band*, *Soweto Kinch*, *Strings of the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra* *Steve Gray* Musical Director *Ken Burton* Choir Director
  *Tchaikovsky/Duke Ellington*: Nutcracker Suite *Quincy Jones*: Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration
  

• Tribute to the Swing Era Garry Allcock & His Midland All-Stars Big Band 

  Sat 5 Jul Town Hall

  Gary Allcock’s “All-Stars” band and singers have built up a magnificent reputation as one of the UK’s most outstanding bands. Their repertoire is a tribute to the big band sounds of the inter war years most notably the music of Glenn Miller. The list of composers whose music is regularly performed by the band is like a roll call of the all time greats: Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and lots, lots more. Unreserved stalls table seating £12 Reserved circle seating £10 Book for the Tea Dance and this show together for just £15. Part of the Birmingham International Jazz Festival. This event is part of Birmingham Veterans' Day Celebrations taking place on 5 and 6 July.
  *Gary Allcock & His Midland All-Stars Big Band* *With Special guests Jeff Hooper & Tina Law*
  
  

• CBSO - Elgar's 150th The Kingdom (matinee) 

  Sun 3 Jun Symphony Hall

  Over the last decade, Sakari Oramo has conducted the Centenary performances of all three of Elgar's choral masterpieces for the Birmingham Triennial Festival - Gerontius, The Apostles and, just last year, The Kingdom. Now Sakari reaches journey's end and concludes this Elgar Anniversary weekend with a second performance of Elgar's final oratorio. Elgar never finished his New Testament Trilogy but this second instalment finds his inspiration in full flight. Opening with a majestic orchestral prelude and painted in glowing orchestral colours, this stirring choral setting of the Acts of Jesus' disciples is the closest he ever got to writing an opera. *Pre-Concert Talk @ 2pm* Elgar's The Kingdom by Michael Foster.
  *City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra* *Sakari Oramo* Conductor *Amanda Roocroft* Soprano *Jane Irwin* Mezzo-soprano *Anthony Dean Griffey* Tenor *James Rutherford* Baritone *City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus* City of Birmingham Choir
  *Elgar* The Kingdom 96'
  

• Fairport Convention Winter Tour 2009 plus special guest 

  Sat 7 Mar 2009 Town Hall

  Enjoy an evening of great music with Fairport Convention, the legendary originators of British folk-rock, featuring Simon Nicol (guitar, vocal), Dave Pegg (bass, backing vocal), Chris Leslie (fiddle, mandolin, vocal), Ric Sanders (violin), and Gerry Conway (drums). Fairport Convention has attracted huge critical acclaim and has delighted audiences for over four decades, not least on its annual Winter Tours and at its world-famous music festival at Cropredy. Fairport Convention has won the coveted BBC Radio 2 Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted the groundbreaking album Liege & Lief 'The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time'. The album has since gone on to win a Gold Disk for Fairport. In 2009, Fairport Convention's greatest strength is still live performance and this concert will present an exciting mix of the old and new. Longstanding Fairport favourites such as Matty Groves will share the bill with new songs from the band's most recent albums. £21
  
  
  

• Town Hall Re-opening Concert: Hallelujah!  

  Thu 4 Oct Town Hall

  For our Re-opening Concert an outstanding line-up of local and national musicians perform _Messiah: A Soulful Celebration_ - a classic from the Town Hall's Triennial Festival past reimagined for the future as an inspirational gospel and soul extravaganza by Quincy Jones. Dusting down another classic, Duke Ellington's brilliant big-band revisioning of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite is sheer fun-loving genius. *Please call the Ticket Office on 0121 780 3333 if you would like to enquire about reduced price restricted view tickets*
  *Ruby Turner*, *Cleveland Watkiss* Vocals *Black Voices* (Carol Pemberton, Music Director) *Town Hall Gospel Choir*, *BBC Big Band*, *Soweto Kinch Strings of the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra* *Steve Gray* Musical Director *Ken Burton* Choir Director
  *Tchaikovsky/Duke Ellington*: Nutcracker Suite *Quincy Jones*: Handel's Messiah: A Soulful Celebration
  

• Rattle Conducts Schumann  

  Fri 19 Dec Symphony Hall

  Earlier this year, Sir Simon Rattle picked music by Schumann as one of his eight choices on Desert Island Discs. Now he turns his attention to two of the composer’s most popular works: the fresh and vibrant _Spring Symphony_ and the _Rhenish Symphony_ - a joyous celebration of the Rhineland, the awe-inspiring gothic architecture of Cologne Cathedral and, of course, the river itself. *Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight’s recommended concert:* _Fresh from his role as one of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s Artists Laureate 2008 for the European Capital of Culture, Sir Simon Rattle returns to his former stomping ground here in Birmingham. This evening he’ll be conducting the OAE, an orchestra he’s been closely associated with for many years now. Rattle is one of just six conductors who’ve been key in the development of this self-governing orchestra established more than twenty years ago. It was he who took the OAE to Glyndebourne for the first time in 1989 with Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro; the orchestra is now a regular visitor to the East Sussex festival._ "Classic FM":http://www.classicfm.co.uk Tickets £5-£45
  *Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment* *Sir Simon Rattle* conductor
  *Berlioz* King Lear overture 15’ *Schumann* Symphony No 1, Spring 32’ *Schumann* Symphony No 3, Rhenish 33’
  

• Andsnes Plays Mozart and Beethoven  

  Sun 17 May 2009 Town Hall

  The outstanding pianist Leif Ove Andsnes plays and directs a pair of contrasting classical concertos with his native Norwegian musicians: sparkling, sunny Mozart and turbulent Beethoven. Two much-loved works from a later era continue the classical and Norwegian themes - Prokofiev’s dashing Classical Symphony and Grieg’s Holberg Suite. *Classic FM’s Anne-Marie Minhall says of tonight’s recommended concert:* _ Leif Ove Andsnes is one of my favourite musicians. Not only is he one of the best pianists on the planet, he’s also deeply passionate about every project he undertakes from playing Grieg on top of a Norwegian mountain to running his own annual summer music festival in Risor, three hours from Oslo. Andsnes is also a devoted chamber musician and regularly works with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra as their first guest leader._ "Classic FM":http://www.classicfm.co.uk Tickets £5-£30
  *Norwegian Chamber Orchestra* *Leif Ove Andsnes* _piano/director_ *Terje Tønnesen* _director_
  *Mozart* Piano Concerto No 14 in E flat, K449 22’ *Prokofiev* Classical Symphony 14’ *Grieg* Holberg Suite 21’ *Beethoven* Piano Concerto No 3 in C minor, Op 37 34’
  

• Town Hall Welcome Weekend - Family Day - Bollywood and Hip Hop! Bollywood and Hip Hop! 

  Sat 6 Oct Town Hall

  Ever fancied trying your hand (or feet) at bhangra, bollywood, street or hip-hop dance? Join us at the Town Hall from 1-2.30pm for this participatory workshop suitable for all the family and you can get a taste of all four! Workshop leaders Jag Kumar of Dance Sansaar and regional dance and drama artist Shantina Allen will fuse elements of dance and music from bhangra, bollywood, street and hip hop, using movements from these styles to choreograph a unique piece. Bhangra is the cultural folk dance from the Punjab, North India, traditionally used to celebrate the annual harvest festival. It’s a fast, energetic and exhilarating dance, where the choreography reflects the daily activities of the farmers at work. Bollywood is a dance of expression used for Indian movies. Expression can be one of happiness or sadness, but is always very colourful and elaborate, often with exaggerated movements. Original street and hip hop movement came from breakdancing, the majority of the movements performed on the floor. As street and hip hop evolved and became mainstream, a new form of dance has emerged. It allows freedom of expression through its diverse and often energetic movements, danced to hip hop and R&B music.
  with Jag Kumar of Dance Sansaar and regional dance and drama artist Shantina Allen
  
  

• Mendelssohn’s Elijah  

  Sat 18 Oct Town Hall

  Mendelssohn’s Elijah is one of the mightiest of all choral works, with an heroic grandeur that sweeps all before it. The work runs in Birmingham’s blood since it was commissioned for the 1846 Birmingham Music Festival and premiered at Town Hall. Tonight, to inaugurate Mendelssohn’s bicentenary year of 2009, Elijah is performed by the critically acclaimed Ex Cathedra, in a new edition specially prepared for the occasion. The marriage of hall, history, outstanding singers and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment make this an unmissable concert. *BBC Music magazine’s Editor, Oliver Condy, explains why he has recommended tonight’s concert:* _Beloved by choral societies up and down the country, Mendelssohn’s Elijah is one of the great oratorios, crammed to the brim with superb tunes. And where else to see Elijah than in Birmingham’s newly restored Town Hall? An unbeatable roster of performers should make for an unbeatable evening._ "BBC Music Magazine":http://www.bbcmusicmagazine.com
  *Ex Cathedra XL Anniversary Choir* *Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment* *Jeffrey Skidmore* conductor *Julia Doyle* soprano *Diana Moore* mezzo-soprano *Mark Padmore* tenor *Nicolas Mulroy* tenor *James Rutherford* bass
  *Mendelssohn* Elijah (1846)
  

• Sharleen Spiteri  

  Sun 8 Feb 2009 Symphony Hall

  Sharleen Spiteri, one of the most successful women in British music over the last 25 years, makes her solo debut at Symphony Hall this February - hot on the heels of her solo album ‘Melody’ which went straight into the album charts at No 3, and has already been declared Gold for 100,000 sales. The release of 'Melody' has seen Sharleen back in huge demand with performances on a range of massive UK TV shows from Later with Jools Holland to the Andrew Marr Show, via Graham Norton, The Charlotte Church Show and Transmission. Debut single ‘All The Times I Cried’ received a Neilson award for over 10,000 plays on UK Radio, including a coveted Radio 2 ‘A’ Playlisting. Follow up single ‘Stop I Don’t Love You Anymore’ is also climbing the Airplay Top 20. Sharleen has also performed radio sessions for Radio 2 and Virgin as well as slotting in a triumphant main stage surprise performance at hometown festival T in the Park. She also starred at the recent BBC Proms in the Park, when she performed to over 30,000 people in London’s Hyde Park. Press plaudits include the NME who called Melody ‘a succulent record of Dusty Springfield-isms’. The 2009 tour will see Sharleen perform tracks from Melody for the first time, along with a few Texas classics and, as always with Sharleen, some musical surprises - all delivered by one of the best and most distinctive voices in British music.
  
  
  

• Emoción Flamenco A Passionate Weekend of Dance, Music and Voice 

  Fri 9 Nov Town Hall

  Driving energy, pulsing rhythms, joy and tears - the fiery magic of flamenco and tango comes to Town Hall in a foot-stamping, whirling frenzy of dance, live music and spine-tingling theatre. The autumn might be drawing in, but over three i