Birmingham Symphonic Winds has been announced as one of the winners of Britain’s Big Platinum Performance – Classic FM’s nationwide search to showcase the UK’s best leisuretime music groups. The orchestra has performed for a special recording that will be broadcast on Classic FM and gifted to Her Majesty The Queen in her Platinum Jubilee year.
As part of Classic FM’s 30th birthday celebrations this year and to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the UK’s most popular classical music station has teamed up with Making Music – the membership organisation for leisure-time music – for Britain’s Big Platinum Performance, created to champion the everyday musician and celebrate non-professional ensembles. Amateur music performances are an essential part of the musical fabric of the UK and have long been a vital part of the nation’s music history.
From thousands of entries across the UK, Birmingham Symphonic Winds is one of seven groups – one for each decade of The Queen’s reign – that have been chosen to have their performance professionally-recorded and broadcast on air on Classic FM. The recording, featuring all seven winners, will be gifted to The Queen.
A wide range of musical groups, from brass and wind orchestras to choral and chamber, submitted recordings of their performances. They were judged on skill, musicality and choice of repertoire by an esteemed panel of music experts, including Classic FM presenter Myleene Klass, composers Debbie Wiseman and Paul Mealor, conductor Ken Burton and brass musician Carol Jarvis.
Birmingham Symphonic Winds was established in 1992 – the same year as Classic FM – by its Music Director Keith Allen to meet the demands of players in the area wanting to perform with a high-quality wind ensemble. The 45-strong orchestra is made up of players who live and work in Birmingham and has earned an international reputation, playing at concerts and festivals across the world.
Keith Allen, Music Director said; “Birmingham Symphonic Winds are thrilled to be selected for Britain’s Big Platinum Performance – we feel privileged and honoured to be one of the winners and it is a credit to the musicianship of the players. The orchestra celebrates its 30th Anniversary this Autumn and this accolade gives us even more reason to mark the occasion in style.”
Philip Noyce, Classic FM’s Managing Editor, said: “As we celebrate Classic FM’s 30th anniversary and to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, we’re excited to showcase some of the nation’s hugely talented music groups with Britain’s Big Platinum Performance.
Along with Making Music, we are thrilled to announce that Birmingham Symphonic Winds is one of our deserved winners and we’re looking forward to shining the spotlight on this fantastic orchestra by introducing it to the millions of listeners to Classic FM.”
Barbara Eifler, Making Music Chief Executive, said: “The impressive variety of celebratory music submitted for Britain’s Big Platinum Performance is a fine testament to the vibrancy and richness of the UK’s leisure-time music scene. The contribution of hobby musicians to their communities is a vital part of the nation’s musical ecology, and we’re thrilled to have teamed up with Classic FM to showcase just some of these outstanding groups to millions of listeners, as well as presenting Her Majesty with her very own recording of the music.”
Classic FM is available across the UK on 100-102 FM, DAB digital radio and TV, on Global Player on your smart speaker (“play Classic FM”), iOS or Android device and at ClassicFM.com