Alison Balsom to lead workshop for kids at iconic music venue
14 July, 2014
Three-time Classical Brit award-winner Alison Balsom will take part in three very special events at the Royal Albert Hall over the coming months.
The trumpet soloist – and reigning Gramophone Awards’ artist of the year – will play two distinctly different shows, including her first headline performance at the venue, as well as following in the footsteps of Jake Bugg and Emeli Sandé as she shares her expertise with young musicians from around the capital.
After appearing with the China Philharmonic at the BBC Proms on Saturday 19 July, Alison will embark on a nationwide tour climaxing with a solo show on the world’s most famous stage, and lead an innovative workshop at the Hall’s Elgar Room on Monday 25 September.
Alison said: "Playing at the Royal Albert Hall is always such a special feeling and I can’t wait to return for my first solo show this year.
"I'm extremely excited about the chance to play in these two diverse events and to enthuse the next generation of musicians by hosting a unique workshop at this iconic venue."
Lucy Noble, Head of Programming and Education at the Hall, said: "We are delighted to welcome Alison back to the Royal Albert Hall.
"The workshop in September will be an incredible opportunity for young brass players from primary schools in London, who will have the chance to learn from one of the most talented and popular classical musicians on the scene today.
"We are proud to promote the arts and sciences across Britain and this is the sort of experience that these young musicians wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else."
Alison has made 14 previous performances at the venue, first appearing as part of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain in 1994, but October will see her make her debut bow as a solo headliner at the Hall.
Her Albert Sessions concert – An Evening with Alison Balsom – on Monday 13 October is the latest in the popular series providing reduced ticket prices to attract a younger audience.
Prom 2 on Saturday 19 July will include music by Elgar, Tchaikovsky, Liszt, Qigang Chen and Mussorgsky, as Alison takes to the stage with pianist Haochen Zhang and the China Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Long Yu.
Alison’s forthcoming tour coincides with the release of her much anticipated new album, Paris, which she has co-produced with Guy Barker. Fusing the worlds of classical and jazz, the album is scheduled for release on 8 September on Warner Classics, featuring an eclectic mix of repertoire from Satie to Legrand.
ENDS
Listings info:
Albert Sessions: An Evening with Alison Balsom – Monday 13 October 2014, 8:00 PM
Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP
Tickets £17.80-£52.99 from 020 7589 8212 / www.royalalberthall.com
These prices include a card handling fee of 2% of the total booking and a transaction processing fee of £2.50 per ticket when booked over the phone or online.
For more information or to arrange an interview with Alison: contact Jessica Silvester on 020 7959 0510 / jessicas@royalalberthall.com
NOTES TO EDITORS
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is the world’s most famous stage. Its breathtaking auditorium hosts over 390 shows a year by the world’s greatest artists. The magical atmosphere combined with inspired artists creates legendary events.
Opened in 1871 as part of Prince Albert’s vision for a centre for the Arts and Sciences, the Hall is a registered charity which operates without public funding, remaining true to his founding ambitions within a modern context. Extending the brand with 200 events outside the auditorium, the Hall has broadened its appeal to younger, diverse audiences whilst still engaging its existing customers.
The Hall also offers the Elgar Room, a state-of-the-art small-scale performance space which hosts performances of classical music, jazz and world music, comedy and dance. In the main auditorium, it provides the Albert Sessions, an initiative that encourages up and coming acts to play at the Hall by introducing reduced rental fees to promoters and lower ticket prices to encourage younger audiences to visit the Hall. It also works extensively with schools, young people, disadvantaged groups and partners such as Music for Youth through its Education programme, reaching over 100,000 participants each year as part of its extensive public benefit remit. The Hall is also a Strategic and Creative Partner for the Tri-borough Music Service, recognised as one of the country’s music education hubs appointed by the Arts Council.
For more information, please visit www.royalalberthall.com
Registered charity number: 254543