More People Attending Concerts

Birmingham, England. More people than ever are turning to the delights of classical music according to England's City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, which has once again seen a record-breaking season.

The increase in concertgoers--to 114,474--is the fourth rise in consecutive years and illustrates a 3.5% increase in the average attendance at Symphony Hall, where the CBSO is resident. Having been at the heart of the Midlands' cultural life for almost ninety years, this sustained growth and passion for the Orchestra comes at a time of challenge for the arts when the need to provide artistic excellence and vision along with investment in communities and the future of musical education is coupled with tighter budgets and uncertainty.

Stephen Maddock, CBSO chief executive, said: "It can be tough for the arts because when money is tight, it's sometimes the first thing that people feel they have to lose from their lives. But this seems to not be the case in Birmingham, where the demand for our main concert season has once again exceeded expectations. Not only is it great for the CBSO but also for the local economy and for people's overall quality of life during a difficult period."

With Music Director Andris Nelsons at the helm, one of the brightest talents on the world conducting stage, the CBSO is about to celebrate its ninetieth year in style with a busy forthcoming season of concerts looking to a future of innovative and inspiring music. The season will also pay homage to its celebrated past that features such great names as Elgar, Oramo, and Rattle, all of whom have made a significant contribution to the success of the Orchestra and celebrating the name of Birmingham on the international stage.

Maddock continued: "As an ambassador for the city and for the UK as a whole, through our significant worldwide reputation and touring programme, we're always striving to ensure that we are at the forefront of new music and of shaping the future for symphony orchestras in the twenty-first century. We are firmly committed to the future of music, as demonstrated by our choral and educational programme, the largest of any orchestra in the country".

For details on next season's CBSO concerts, visit www.cbso.co.uk.

Ruth Green
Communications Manager
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

JJP