Good news for the People's Orchestra

Despite losing their home six months ago, the Midlands based The People's Orchestra has a lot to celebrate. It has a concert coming up, and is in line for an Arts Council Grant. 

The orchestra is performing their next concert, Film Greats, at Adrian Boult Hall in Birmingham on Sunday 22 June. The concert will feature tunes from Harry Potter, Schindler's List and Jurassic Park. In addition, there will be the world premiere of a new piece, The Flight of Pegasus by film score composer John Koutselinis.

The People's Orchestra was originally formed in 2012 with the idea of filling a gap between school leavers and professional orchestra. No funding was available so the orchestra was opened up to all ages, and there are now 65 members aged 15 to 70 paying for the privilege of playing. They concentrate mainly on film music and have developed quite a following in the Midlands. Six months ago they lost their office and concert venue when The Public, West Bromwich was closed by Sandwell Metropolitan Council. But now the good news is that they have received a grant of £100, 000 from the Arts Council. The grant enables them to employ two essential members of staff, a volunteer manager and a concert manager.