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Making Music, in partnership with Classic FM, is delighted to announce the seven winners of Britain’s Big Platinum Performance – a nationwide search to showcase some of the country’s best leisure-time music groups.
As part of Classic FM’s 30th birthday celebrations and to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Making Music teamed up with the UK’s most popular classical music station to champion hobby musicians and celebrate everyday music making across the UK.
In March, leisure-time music groups of all types and genres were invited to submit audio recordings of an uplifting, celebratory piece of music. Following thousands of entries, seven music groups were chosen – one of each decade of The Queen’s reign – who then had their performances professionally recorded for broadcast on Classic FM.
The winning performances will be broadcast across various shows on Classic FM shows from 10 to 15 August. Later this year, all performances will also feature on a special recording that will be gifted to Her Majesty The Queen.
The winners of Britain’s Big Platinum Performance are:
- Carme Ensemble (Northern Ireland)
- Curzon Brass
- Fulham Brass Band*
- Birmingham Symphonic Wind*
- East London Brass
- London Welsh Male Voice Choir*
- Carluke Primrose Orchestral Flutes (South Lanarkshire)*
* Making Music member group
A wide range of music groups, from brass and wind orchestras to choral and chamber groups, submitted initial recordings for consideration. They were judged on skill, musicality and choice of repertoire by an esteemed panel of musical experts, including Classic FM presenter Myleene Klass, composer and conductor Debbie Wiseman OBE, composers Paul Mealor and Ken Burton, and musician Carol Jarvis.
Barbara Eifler, Making Music Chief Executive, said:
‘The impressive variety of celebratory music submitted for Britain’s Big Platinum Performance is a fine testament to the vibrancy and richness of the UK’s leisure-time music scene. The contribution of hobby musicians to their communities is a vital part of the nation’s musical ecology, and we’re thrilled to have teamed up with Classic FM to showcase some of these outstanding groups – including four Making Music members – to millions of listeners, as well as presenting Her Majesty with her very own recording of the music.’
Philip Noyce, Classic FM’s Managing Editor, said:
‘As we celebrate Classic FM’s 30th anniversary and to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, we are excited to showcase some of the nation’s hugely talented, non-professional music groups with Britain’s Big Platinum Performance. Along with Making Music, we are thrilled to announce our deserved winners and we are looking forward to shining the spotlight on these exceptional groups, as well as introducing them to the millions of listeners on Classic FM.’
