Katie Derham, Chi-chi Nwanoku and Paul Daniel to present All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge
The BBC today reveals the presenter line up for All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge - a nationwide search for the orchestra that best captures the spirit of great British amateur music-making in the UK.
Published: 22 July 2016
I feel so lucky through this series to be seeing at first hand the spirit and passion that goes into amateur music-making up and down the UK.
The series, which will celebrate the breadth and quality of amateur orchestral playing across the nation, will begin at the end of August and will follow five orchestras as they compete for a place in the Grand Final. The five orchestras taking part in the series will be announced at the beginning of August.
BBC Radio 3 and Proms presenter Katie Derham will present the four-part series which will be broadcast on BBC Four, with the Grand Final broadcast on BBC Two.
Each week’s episode will have a distinct musical theme, from the symphony to opera. The orchestras will present a performance based on the week’s theme in every episode, which will be judged by renowned conductor Paul Daniel.
Paul Daniel is Music Director of the Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine and Principal Conductor and Artistic Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Galicia. He will be looking for the orchestra that best captures the spirit of great British amateur music-making.
Mentoring the orchestras through the process will be principal double bass and founder member of the Orchestra Of The Age of Enlightenment, and founder of Chineke! Orchestra, Chi-chi Nwanoku MBE.
The series will visit the orchestras in their home-towns, see them in rehearsal, taking part in masterclasses and staging their own concerts. It will follow them on their unique journeys, showcasing their development as they work with Chi-chi and Paul and giving them unrivalled opportunities to perform at world-class venues, including the BBC’s Maida Vale studios, the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Katie Derham says: “I feel so lucky through this series to be seeing at first hand the spirit and passion that goes into amateur music-making up and down the UK. I've played in a number of amateur orchestras myself, so it comes as no surprise, but it’s incredible to witness the sense of community, energy and joy felt by those who come together to perform in these orchestras. This series is an opportunity to shine a light on that inspiring world - to get under the skin of how amateur orchestras function, why people give up hours of their time to do it, and the myriad skills it requires.”
Paul Daniel says: "It’s one of the glories of the UK that so many people play in amateur orchestras. The extraordinary power of music makes no distinction between amateur and professional: when an orchestra opens the music and sits down to play, every musician is searching for that moment when all their skills and talents come together to create the sound and colour and emotion that lies behind the little black dots on the page.
"I'll be looking for the orchestra that goes beyond technical excellence - they’ll have to capture the spirit and excitement of British amateur music, they have to really engage us musically and emotionally and connect with their audience. No matter where and how they start out, I want my 'best' orchestra to discover and really develop its potential. Amateur orchestras have the very special bonus of playing purely for the love of the music and the joy of playing together: that's an inspiration to all of us!"
Chi-chi Nwanoku says: “When people actually take the trouble to have a hobby, it means they’re deeply committed to something close to their hearts. When that hobby is to play a musical instrument, and to play that instrument in an orchestra, it is all the more moving, because it involves sharing and communicating through music, which for me lies at the heart of the cultural life of communities all over the United Kingdom.
"I believe passionately in the power of music and communal playing and have been doing everything I can to help each orchestra reach its full potential. Our orchestras have really pulled out all the stops and have done themselves proud and I’m sure you will be amazed by the results.”
The winning orchestra will be crowned the UK’s most inspirational amateur orchestra and will perform on stage at BBC Proms in the Park, in Hyde Park, filmed for broadcast in the final episode of the series.
All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge is part of the BBC’s nationwide Get Playing campaign, which is encouraging everyone to play music together - from lapsed players who want to dust off their instruments and brush up their skills, to enthusiastic amateurs who play regularly. Partners of the project are ABRSM, Making Music and Music For All.
Get Playing culminates in a huge celebration on the Last Night of the Proms on 10 September with the BBC’s first ever ‘virtual’ or digital orchestra.
To find out how to take part and to follow the easy instructions please visit the BBC Get Playing website www.bbc.co.uk/getplaying. Deadline is 27 August 2016. Groups as well as individuals are welcome!
MC4
