Town plays host to festive music feast
ROCHDALE will play host to the BBC Philharmonic orchestra’s Christmas concert
Number One Riverside will be setting for the BBC Philharmonic and BBC Radio Manchester Christmas concert on Friday, December 16.
The concert, hosted by BBC presenters Anna Jameson and Asma Younus, will be recorded for broadcast during the festive season and promises an evening of festive cheer.
As well as the renowned Philharmonic orchestra, there will also be performances from R&B artist ‘Prima’ and Rochdale Music Service Musical Theatre Choir, which features 22 children aged from five to 10 from across the borough.
Cathie Brooks from Rochdale Music Service said the choir was already in rehearsals and that the BBC vocal coach was impressed with the vocal range of the children.
She said: “They were amazed at how talented the children were and what volume they can give with their singing as well as their enthusiasm and passion. They were absolutely blown away by it. Everyone is very excited for the event to take place.
“They’ll be singing a couple of tunes on their own and then they’re going to be leading the Christmas carols along with the orchestra.
“It is a great opportunity to see a professional orchestra live and see our children alongside them in the home of Rochdale council. It’ll get Rochdale back on the map.”
The festive concert is part of a series of events and activities taking place in Rochdale town centre in the run up to Christmas following last weekend’s lights switch on.
A Christmas Artisan Market will be at Rochdale Riverside on Saturday 10 December, the Street Eat food festival returns on Saturday 17 December and Father Christmas will be in his grotto at Touchstones from 17 to 21 December.
Councillor Janet Emsley, cabinet member for events at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “It’s so exciting that we have been chosen to host the BBC Philharmonic and BBC Radio Manchester’s Christmas Concert.
“They are one of the UK’S very best orchestras and with Rochdale Music Service on the line-up we’ll be hearing some local talent too. I believe Prima’s live performances are sensational so it’s going to be very special indeed. For those who don’t manage to get tickets for the recording you will of course be able to listen to it on the radio a few days later and then on demand on BBC Sounds.”
The concert begins at 7pm and a ballot for free tickets to be in the audience is open until 11pm on 8 December at bbc.co. uk/showsandtours.
You can apply for a maximum of four tickets for the recording. They will be allocated by random draw, with 60% of the tickets going to Greater Manchester postcodes and 40% to the rest of the UK.