A Huddersfield orchestra is set to find national fame when it appears on television this month.
Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra is appearing in the BBC’s All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge series, which follows five amateur groups selected from across the UK over four episodes.
It is a dream come true for the up to 80 member strong Colne Valley orchestra, who this year are also celebrating their 125th year in existence.
The four other groups are the London Gay Symphony Orchestra, the North Devon Sinfonia, Stirling Orchestra, and The People’s Orchestra from Birmingham.
Each orchestra receives a masterclass from the series’ judge, world-renowned conductor Paul Daniel, while double bass maestro Chi-chi Nwanoku mentors each orchestra as they strive to reach their full potential throughout the series.
In episode one, the groups are challenged to master the symphony. Each of the five orchestras will tackle an extract from the likes of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov which they then perform at the BBC’s legendary Maida Vale Studios after which one orchestra will be eliminated from the contest by Daniel.
The five groups are battling it out to be crowned the BBC’s most inspirational amateur orchestra and win a performance slot at the BBC’s Proms in the Park in London on September 10.
The show will be presented by BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms presenter Katie Derham, who took part in 2015’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Chris Woodhead, orchestra secretary and violinist, said: “It’s great that we get to represent both Huddersfield and the north of England.
“Huddersfield has a fantastic tradition of high quality music making so it’s great that we can be ambassadors for it.”
The first episode will be broadcast on August 30 on BBC Four at 9pm.
