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The BBC are looking for the UK's most inspirational amateur orchestra for a new series that will shine a light on Britain’s grass-roots musicians - find out how to apply.
BBC Music today announces a major initiative, Get Playing, aimed at shining a light on amateur music of all kinds across the nation, and launches a search for the UK’s most inspirational amateur orchestras.
Through a series of initiatives and programmes across national and regional BBC radio and television and BBC online throughout summer 2016, Get Playing aims to inspire people to pick up instruments and celebrate a new wave of amateur music-making across the UK, in partnership with Making Music, ABRSM and Music for All.
The Great British Amateur Orchestra
At the heart of the initiative, BBC Four and BBC Two will present two land-mark four-part series that will shine a light on Britain’s grass-roots amateur musicians.
The Great British Amateur Orchestra will follow a nation-wide search for the most inspirational non-professional orchestra in the UK. Amateur orchestras can apply now to be part of the series, which will see five orchestras selected to compete against each other, each battling for a place in the Grand Final, to be broadcast on BBC Two. One orchestra will be crowned the UK’s most inspirational amateur orchestra and will perform at a major public event in 2016.
This year BBC Four and BBC Two are championing amateur music-making like never before. From searching for the most inspirational non-professional orchestra in the UK in ‘The Great British Amateur Orchestra’ to celebrating the passion of amateur music makers in Britain’s Best Part-Time Band, the two channels are shining a light on the tens of thousands of committed music-makers who captivate, entertain and transport audiences up and down the country every week, and hoping to inspire a new generation to pick up a musical instrument to discover - or remind themselves - of the sheer joy of making music"
Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four
How to apply
Applications are currently open: download an application pack below or email amateur.orchestras@bbc.co.uk for further details. Orchestras have until Friday 12 February 2016 to apply.
- Applicants must be aged 16 and over as of 1 February 2016 and have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
- Your orchestra must have been established for at least one year.
- Your orchestra must comprise a minimum 40 members and a maximum of 75 members.
- Your orchestra must have previously performed in public.
- Filming is scheduled between March and September 2016
- Please see the Rules of Entry at the end of the application form for a full list of eligibility criteria.
A complimentary series, The UK’s Best Part-time Band, a nation-wide search for the best non-professional bands in the country will broadcast on BBC Four and BBC Two. Further information can be found here.
