WHAT’S ON
JULY
BOOK ONLINE: thsh.co.uk
WHAT’S ON AT TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL RESIDENT ORCHESTRA
ASSOCIATE ARTISTS
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Ex Cathedra, Birmingham City Organist Thomas Trotter, Black Voices
Certain events by Resident Orchestra or Associate Artists are included in respective concert packages. Contact the Box Office for more information.
HOW TO BOOK By phone: 0121 780 3333
Online: www.thsh.co.uk
In person: Town Hall Box Office is open two hours before the start time of a performance. Symphony Hall Box Office, in the ICC is open 10am – 6pm (Monday – Saturday). Closed Sundays and Bank Holidays except when there is an event (open two hours before event starts).
DISCOUNTS & PACKAGES
HOW TO REACH US
For more details visit thsh.co.uk
NOT NORMAL – NOT OK Town Hall Symphony Hall are proud to support the Not Normal – Not OK campaign, to encourage safety and respect within live music venues.
Town Hall is located in Victoria Square, Birmingham, B3 3DQ.
Symphony Hall is located within the International Convention Centre, 8 Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA. For further information visit www.thsh.co.uk/your-visit Funded by
2
Town Hall renovation also funded by
BOOK BY PHONE: 0121 780 3333
BOOK NOW 0121 780 3333 www.thsh.co.uk
Mon 1
1PM
Town Hall
LUNCHTIME ORGAN CONCERT – SUMMER REQUESTS
History is built into the very walls of Town Hall, Birmingham, and when City Organist Thomas Trotter plays the organ there, that heritage springs vibrantly to life.
7:30PM Symphony Hall
KELLY JONES SOLD OUT
Wed 3
10:15AM Symphony Hall
MFY NATIONAL FESTIVAL
Thu 4
10:15AM Symphony Hall
MFY NATIONAL FESTIVAL
Join brilliant young musicians from across the UK as Music for Youth return for their annual celebration of incredible young music-making. Join brilliant young musicians from across the UK as Music for Youth return for their annual celebration of incredible young music-making.
Symphony Hall
MFY SCHOOLS CONCERT
10:15AM Symphony Hall Café-Bar
MFY NATIONAL FESTIVAL
5PM
JAZZLINES FREE GIGS: JAMES OWSTON QUARTET FREE
11AM
Fri 5
Kelly Jones – frontman and creative force of Stereophonics for over 22 years – will give audiences a rare opportunity to see unique and intimate performances across an evening of storytelling and song craft. Fans will be delighted to see and hear some of their favourite songs in a more stripped back environment.
Symphony Hall Café-Bar
7:30PM Town Hall
Join Music for Youth for our second ever Schools Concert as part of the 2019 National Festival as we explore using the body as an instrument. Inspirational presenter, musician and workshop leader Rachel Leach will guide your young people through an interactive concert full of participation! Join brilliant young musicians from across the UK as Music for Youth return for their annual celebration of incredible young music-making. Jazzlines Free Gigs are designed to help you get that Friday feeling. Unwind in the bar after a long week to the sensational sounds of talented jazz musicians.
MFY NATIONAL FESTIVAL – NIKKI YEOH PRESENTS MUSIC FOR YOUTH’S JAZZ EVENING 2019
Join brilliant young musicians from across the UK as Music for Youth return for their annual celebration of incredible young music-making.
Sat 6
10:15AM Symphony Hall
Sun 7
2:30PM Town Hall
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM PRESENT SO VOCAL SUMMER CONCERT
3PM
DANCING IN THE AIR
MFY NATIONAL FESTIVAL
Join brilliant young musicians from across the UK as Music for Youth return for their annual celebration of incredible young music-making.
Symphony Hall
The CBSO’s community choir, SO Vocal travel the world through song, with exhilarating music ranging from English hymns all the way through to traditional Zimbabwean and Polish folk songs. Come and celebrate the sheer joy of singing: everyone is welcome! This extravaganza of music and dance will transport you to the ballroom as the RAF Massed Voluntary Bands return in force to Symphony Hall, joined by ‘The Voice of Strictly’ Mr Alan Dedicoat.
BOOK ONLINE: thsh.co.uk
3
“ELVIS IS ALIVE AND SHE’S BEAUTIFUL” 4
k.d. lang shot to fame in the 90s with her global hit Constant Craving. Her languid, pitch-perfect voice led Michael Bublé to call her “the greatest female singer in the whole world”, while Tony Bennett declared her “the best singer of her generation”. “Elvis is alive and she’s beautiful,” said Madonna of k.d. The shortening of her name to initials and her style of writing it in lower case happened early on. “It started when I was young, in high school,” she says. “My mum was a second grade teacher and brought home the kids’ papers to mark, and their writing was all in lower case. I loved the way that looked. It was an aesthetic choice, but it doesn’t bother me at all if people cap it up.” What she does dislike, though, is anyone using her full name. “All my friends call me k.d., my mum is the only one who calls me Kathy and I yell at her every time,” she laughs.“It just doesn’t suit me.” Her Ingenue Redux show sees k.d. playing the Ingenue album in full, in sequence, followed by other hits. Her remastered album was released in 2017 for its 25th anniversary and k.d. embarked on a world tour which is now coming to an end. Of Ingenue’s initial release, she remembers: “A lot of people responded to that record. It was a time of vulnerability in North America. The Aids crisis was in full roar, there was a lot of homophobia at the time.” And what about now, with Trump banning transgender people from joining the military and citizens from seven Muslim countries travelling to the US, and new restrictions on abortion?
k.d. seems saddened but sanguine, channelling her Buddhist beliefs: “It seems we have taken a step back. It’s a pendulum. Look at the struggle of immigrants, AfricanAmericans and women. There will always be a push back against minorities. “But it too shall pass. I am optimistic about the future, everything is impermanent, including this desperate need for a male, right-wing world. Though it’s a collective karma so it’s hard to blame just one group. It’s all of our mess.” k.d. started her 2011 UK tour at Symphony Hall but hasn’t been back since, as touring is a rarity for her these days. “I absolutely remember Birmingham. It’s a beautiful hall and I remember it sounding lovely. I’m excited to be coming back. “But I toured so much in my younger life and I really don’t feel the need now. I don’t feel like it’s the best use of my time these days. I want to get back into life, into cooking and spending more time with my mum and family. Mum is 96. Watching her at the end of her life is a challenge but I feel it’s a luxury that I get the time with her. “I like to tour when I’m really feeling it and there’s a good solid reason – I’m excited to rekindle these songs. “The worst thing about touring is the physical travel and exhaustion. The best thing is singing, that’s the whole purpose of it.” By Roz Laws
5
Mon 8
7:30PM Town Hall
THE CHIEFTAINS
Thu 11
7:30PM Symphony Hall
LEA SALONGA LIMITED AVAILABILITY
7:30PM Town Hall
MADELEINE PEYROUX
1PM
Moseley Park
MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL
5PM
Symphony Hall
JAZZLINES FREE GIGS: A FOYER JAZZ CELEBRATION FEATURING STEVE AJAO BLUES GIANTS FREE
Fri 12
Six-time Grammy Award winners, The Chieftains, have been highly recognized for reinventing traditional Irish music on a contemporary and International scale. Singer, actress and Broadway royalty, Lea Salonga, known across the world for her powerful voice, perfect pitch and her Tony Award winning role in Miss Saigon and critically acclaimed role as Eponine in Les Misérables, will embark on her first ever solo U.K. tour. An American vocalist who weaves together acoustic blues, country ballads and jazz standards, Madeleine Peyroux will stand at Symphony Hall following the release of her latest album, Anthem. Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival is set in the truly beautiful and unique setting of Moseley Park, Birmingham and plays host to a weekend of blistering live music.
This special session celebrates 15 years of this iconic jazz session that has taken place in Symphony Hall foyers and has featured a broad mix of community bands, local jazz musicians and UK and internationally acclaimed artists.
Sat 13
11AM
Moseley Park
MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL
2PM
ICC Hall 10
JAZZLINES CREATIVE VOCAL GROUP FREE
Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival is set in the truly beautiful and unique setting of Moseley Park, Birmingham and plays host to a weekend of blistering live music. The Jazzlines Creative Vocal Group meet every two weeks and provide young musicians from Birmingham and the surrounding areas with the opportunity to develop their ensemble playing and learn more about singing in harmonies and improvisation.
3:30PM ICC Hall 10
JAZZLINES ENSEMBLE FREE
The Jazzlines Ensemble meet every two weeks and provide young musicians from Birmingham and the surrounding areas with the opportunity to develop their ensemble playing and learn more about singing in harmonies and improvisation.
6
3:30PM ICC Hall 10
JAZZLINES GOSPEL ENSEMBLE FREE
7:30PM Town Hall
POP CHORUS PRESENTS “SING OUR OWN KIND OF MUSIC”
The Jazzlines Gospel Ensemble meet every two weeks and provide young musicians from Birmingham and the surrounding areas with the opportunity to develop their ensemble playing and learn more about singing in harmonies and improvisation. Pop Chorus brings together amateur singers ranging from age six to 80-years young. The choir will perform songs from across the last fifty years of pop music including tracks by Queen, ELO, Bastille, Rag & Bone Man and Paloma Faith as well as Stevie Wonder and Tina Turner medleys.
BOOK ONLINE: thsh.co.uk
Sun 14
11AM
Moseley Park
6PM
Symphony Hall
MOSTLY JAZZ FUNK & SOUL FESTIVAL
Mostly Jazz Funk & Soul Festival is set in the truly beautiful and unique setting of Moseley Park, Birmingham and plays host to a weekend of blistering live music.
SERVICES FOR EDUCATION YOUTH PROMS 2019
An unforgettable end-of-year gala concert celebrating the diverse work of the award-winning SFE Music Service with young people, schools and communities in Birmingham.
Mon 15
7PM
Tue 16
7PM
Symphony Hall
SERVICES FOR EDUCATION YOUTH PROMS 2019
Wed 17
7PM
Symphony Hall
SERVICES FOR EDUCATION YOUTH PROMS 2019
Symphony Hall
SERVICES FOR EDUCATION YOUTH PROMS 2019
An unforgettable end-of-year gala concert celebrating the diverse work of the award-winning SFE Music Service with young people, schools and communities in Birmingham.
7:30PM Town Hall
An unforgettable end-of-year gala concert celebrating the diverse work of the award-winning SFE Music Service with young people, schools and communities in Birmingham. An unforgettable end-of-year gala concert celebrating the diverse work of the award-winning SFE Music Service with young people, schools and communities in Birmingham.
EXPEDITION WITH STEVE BACKSHALL – IN PURSUIT OF WORLD FIRSTS
Be the first to hear behind-the-scenes stories and see film clips of Steve Backshall’s new 10 part TV series. Join Steve and hear of the near death scrapes that he and his crew endured in their quest to complete their expeditions and world firsts.
Thu 18
7PM
Fri 19
7:15PM Town Hall
NEUROSIS WITH SPECIAL GUEST GODFLESH SOLD OUT
Sat 20
10:30AM ICC Hall 10
MUSICAL PICNIC – JULY: STEPH WEST DUO FREE
1:30PM ICC Hall 10
NOTEBENDERS – SAX IN THE CITY FREE
Symphony Hall
SERVICES FOR EDUCATION YOUTH PROMS 2019
An unforgettable end-of-year gala concert celebrating the diverse work of the award-winning SFE Music Service with young people, schools and communities in Birmingham. Showing their discontent with convention from the very beginning, Neurosis revealed what would become an instinct for transformation in sound and scope. Tuck into a morning of musical entertainment with the family! Watch and join in with performers, as they introduce your children to a world of music, song, storytelling and dance. Ease into the weekend with this diverse and dynamic band, which brings together musicians from across the city, continuing the legacy of their founder, the legendary jazz musician Andy Hamilton.
BOOK ONLINE: thsh.co.uk
7
Sat 20
7:30PM Symphony Hall
HERE COME THE BOYS SOLD OUT
Watch Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice and Gorka Marquez, giants of the ballroom and Latin world battle it out on the dance floor. The setting is a club, and the challenge is to find out who’s best on the dance floor! 8:30PM Town Hall
BETTY WRIGHT LIVE IN CONCERT One of the most talented and underrated vocalists of her generation, Betty Wright has only recently received a fraction of the accolades she deserves for her notable career spaning 40 years as a singer, songwriter and pioneering independent recording artist.
Sun 21
4PM
Town Hall
TOWN HALL SYMPHONY HALL BIRMINGHAM CLASSICAL PRESENT PADMORE AND LEWIS – SCHUMANN’S DICHTERLIEBE Having worked their way through Schubert’s great song cycles over recent years, the art song “dream team” (New York Times) of tenor Mark Padmore and pianist Paul Lewis turn their attention to Schumann.
4PM
Symphony Hall
NSSO 25TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Celebrating 25 years of music-making for young people The National Schools Symphony Orchestra, its newly formed chorus and the Malvern Festival Chorus will perform Verdi’s colourful and dramatic Requiem. NSSO Sinfonia will be joined by exciting young singer-songwriter Emi McDade.
Sat 27
7:30PM Symphony Hall
8PM
Town Hall
K.D.LANG : INGÉNUE REDUX – 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
With her multi-platinum breakout album Ingénue, k.d. lang emerged as one of the most singular and expressive singers of her generation. Now, 25 years later, she returns to her roots – performing the album that shot her to stardom in its entirety.
STEVIE WONDER – THE HITS PERFORMED BY 16-PIECE ORCHESTRA Last year, Town Hall Symphony Hall brought together a 17-piece orchestra to perform the works of Pharrell Williams. Reworkestra – now a 16-piece orchestra plus three live vocalists – will return to the landmark venue Town Hall to perform the hits of Stevie Wonder this July.
Sun 28
7PM
Town Hall
CITY OF BIRMINGHAM ORCHESTRA PRESENT CBSO YOUTH ORCHESTRA ACADEMY
Put the finest players from the CBSO’s world-class Youth Orchestra together with the trailblazing young Azerbaijani cellist Jamal Aliyev, and you can be sure of one thing – music that will stay with you long after you leave Town Hall.
Tue 30
7:30PM Symphony Hall
TREVOR HORN
Trevor Horn will perform songs from his most recent hit album Trevor Horn Reimagines The 80’s accompanied by his band, as well as a full orchestra, on his UK tour 2019. He will also be joined by Matt Cardle for all dates, with further special guests to be announced.
BOOK ONLINE: thsh.co.uk