Morecambe’s unique Promenade Concert Orchestra tuning up for special anniversary
Morecambe's unique Promenade Concert Orchestra is launching its 20th anniversary celebrations in style this November.
The UK's only full-size palm court orchestra has been delighting audiences with its top quality live performances for two decades and on November 22 presents a homage to the BBC Home Service programme, Your 100 Best Tunes.
Once again, The Platform will resound to a programme of popular melodic classical music conducted by the orchestra's founder, Howard Rogerson.
The scene will be set by the signature tune - Londonderry Air(Danny Boy) - and will feature familiar music from Rossini, Elgar, Verdi and Schubert among others.
Gilbert & Sullivan also play their part in the celebrations with performances from HMS Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance and Yeoman of the Guard.
The Promenade Concert Orchestra features professional, semi-professional and excellent amateur musicians from the Lancaster, Morecambe and Kendal area but often also welcomes guest soloists and at this concert, soprano Rowena Thompson and baritone John Tattersall join the musicians on the Platform stage.
The Best One Hundred Tunes concert kicks off the 20th anniversary season for the Promenade Concert Orchestra which has attracted more than 17,000 people since it was founded in 2007.
It has since won awards, critical acclaim and has become a registered charity.
Its varied repertoire is inspired by the golden age of light orchestral entertainment including Palm Court, ballroom and café music to tunes from shows, radio, television and film alongside Viennese favourites and ballet music.
“I have had a passion for the seaside spa orchestra and its music so on 'retiring' to a family home in Morecambe, what else could I do but establish such an orchestra in the town that never had one, other than the theatre and dance orchestras,” said Howard.
“Here we are, twenty years on and still going, bringing light music alive again. Come and hear your own orchestra in the equivalent spa building in Morecambe, The Platform!”
Events to look forward to in 2027 are the New Year Viennese Concert on January 24; Music from the Palm Court on March 14 and Popular Music from the Opera on May 23.
All concerts start at 3pm and are an entertaining and elegant way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Tickets to Best One Hundred Tunes are £19, with accompanied children admitted free.
Book at https://promenadeconcertorchestra.org.uk/ or https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/sites/the-platform
Call The Platform box office on 01524 582803 or email [email protected]