The National Open Youth Orchestra – the world’s first disabled-led national youth ensemble – makes its BBC Proms debut with an afternoon Relaxed Prom in Beacon Hall with guest musicians from BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Alice Farnham.
The programme includes Michael Betteridge’s Soaring Through Sparks – the world’s first Clarion concerto – arranged by Julia Koelmans with soloist Alessandro Vazzana who plays the Clarion with head movement and Charlotte Harding’s The Orchestra: A Young Person’s Guide, co-commissioned by the BBC.
Relaxed Prom
The Relaxed Proms series is designed to welcome neurodivergent and disabled audiences, families, and anyone who may benefit from a more informal atmosphere.
We will maintain a flexible approach to noise and audience members are free to come and go from the concert hall as needed. If you are attending with young children, we kindly ask that you help minimise excessive noise to avoid distracting the orchestra. There will be a quiet space outside the concert hall for anyone needing quiet time before or during the performance.
There will be unreserved theatre-style seating in the Front Stalls of the hall, with some limited soft seating also available. This seating will not be ticketed, but you can move to it on the day.
The concert will be BSL interpreted, with the interpreter positioned on the right side of the stage.
Presented by Bristol Beacon and BBC Proms
Alice Farnham Conductor
Alessandro Vazzana Clarion
National Open Youth Orchestra
Members of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Programme
Vivaldi, arr. Rhian Davies and Ellen O’Brien The Four Seasons – excerpts (12 mins)
Price, arr. Rhian Davies Symphony No. 1 – Juba Dance (3rd mvmt) (4 mins)
Oliver Cross, arr. Liam Taylor-West Barriers (7 mins)
Michael Betteridge, arr. Julia Koelmans Soaring Through Sparks (Clarion Concerto) (3 mins)
Charlotte Harding, arr. Liam Taylor-West The Orchestra: A Young Person’s Guide (BBC commission) (15 mins)
Format:
Unreserved seating in Front Stalls
Reserved seating in Rear Stalls & Lower Tier
Age: For all ages (Under 16s accompanied by an adult)
BSL interpreted performance
BSL User tickets within the unreserved seating area in the Front Stalls will be seated in the best possible place to see the interpreter.
Performance times
Doors: 14.00
Start: 14.30
Please note: There will be no interval
All timings are approximate and subject to change.
Radio broadcast
Recorded for future broadcast on BBC Radio 3
Ticket prices
All ticket prices are inclusive of booking fees
Full Price: £13.68
Limited availability tickets: A limited number of tickets priced at £9.12 (£8 + bf) will be available to purchase from 10am Fri 7 August.
These tickets will be located in all areas of Beacon Hall and available to buy online and in person from Bristol Beacon’s box office.
About Beacon Hall
Our flagship venue at Bristol Beacon
Seating plans
Seating plans
Beacon Hall has three levels that can be used in a seated or standing format. View seating plans, auditorium entrances and exits and accessible viewing areas.
Venue information
Venue information
Take a closer look at our beautifully restored venue, see what’s on and view detailed information about the performance space.
The venue
Beacon Hall
at Bristol Beacon
Getting to the venue
Location: Beacon Hall is located within Bristol Beacon. Head to Level 1 and follow signs to find the auditorium.
Address: Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street, Bristol, BS1 5AR
Bicycle
Bicycle racks can be found in front of the main entrance on Trenchard Street, Colston Street, and on the city centre promenade. Find your nearest cycle routes using Cycle Planner.
Car parking
Trenchard Street multi-storey car park is 200m away, directly behind Bristol Beacon.
Bristol Clean Air Zone
Bristol Beacon is inside the Bristol Clean Air Zone. Check if your vehicle will be charged and how much you’ll have to pay.
Bus
Most bus services stop in and around the city centre promenade, 250m from Bristol Beacon.
Access
Mobility
Spaces for wheelchair users are in:
- row S in the centre of the rear Stalls (10 spaces)
- row Z in the left and right wings at the back of Lower Tier (4 spaces, 2 on each side),
- row Z on the right only at the back of Upper Tier (2 spaces)
Assistance Dogs
Assistance dogs and emotional support animals are allowed in the performance space. Seats in row F are most suitable. If you prefer, you can leave your animal with a member of staff during the performance.
Hearing Facility
A Sennheiser MobileConnect assistive listening system is installed in the venue. Download the free App and use your own mobile device and headphones to listen to the performance. (Devices are available on request.)
Eat & Drink
Eat & Drink
We’ve got plenty of places for you to relax and refill. From coffee and cake, to delicious sharing boards, to full menus.
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Select a date
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14:30BSL Interpreted Performance Relaxed Performance