IT IS an opportunity that they could scarcely have hoped for, the chance to have music from their Summer Proms concert heard by a nationwide audience.

But thanks to a venture by BBC Radio 3, that is exactly what will happen on Wednesday October 1 when Slaithwaite Philharmonic will be heard during a Performance On 3 broadcast.

Throughout October, following the main evening concert from the UK’s top professional orchestras, Performance On 3 will feature some of the hundreds of amateur orchestras regularly performing throughout the UK.

BBC Radio 3 teamed up with Making Music to find four of the UK’s best amateur orchestras to perform as part of Play To The Nation.

Slaithwaite Philharmonic is one of the four alongside the Dundee Symphony Orchestra performing Beethoven; the Kensington Chamber Orchestra performing Bruch; and Birmingham Symphonic Winds with Rodrigo. The Colne Valley-based orchestra will be heard playing music from its Summer Proms.

The idea of Play To The Nation is to show the vibrancy and diversity of amateur orchestras around the country.

Amateur orchestras were invited to send in recordings of their performances and a quartet were chosen for inclusion in the programmes which go out between 7pm and 9.15pm.

During October, there is also the chance to hear highlights of five Pianothons (eight hour-long piano marathons), in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester – which aim to bring together amateur pianists of all ages and abilities.