Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

In a joint venture between the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra and Cornwall Learning Music (The Music Service), musical families are being invited to take part in the world's highest-profile classical music festival.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms is well known as the showcase for the world's most prestigious orchestras. Following on from the huge success of last year's Salford Family Orchestra, this year's project sees Cornish children, mums and dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents, coming together to play in the world premiere of a specially commissioned work by Cornish composer Graham Fitkin.

Rehearsals will take place in Truro (see Project Schedule below) before the whole group travel to London to perform at the Royal Albert Hall and live on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3 on August Bank Holiday Monday alongside the professionals of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra.

Over the last 12 months there have been a number of projects run jointly by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and Cornwall Learning Music, but this will be the largest and most ambitious, involving people of all ages from across the whole of the county.

John Harries, head of Cornwall Learning Music, said: "We're looking for musicians from 7 years old to 107, playing any acoustic instrument at any level.

"We know there are many musical families across the county, playing in the many brass bands, orchestras, and ensembles which are part of the fabric of Cornish life. This is a really exciting project for the whole of our musical community."

Graham Fitkin was born in West Cornwall in 1963 and remains based in West Penrith. His new work, PK, for the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Concert Orchestra and Cornwall Family Orchestra, focuses on his Cornish roots. PK is the telegraphic code name for Porthcumo, where the UK first linked to the USA via a chain of telegraphic cables.

Fitkin says: "I am interested in how a small village at a remote end of England became a key part of the country's communications system. The new piece will work through signals, switches and flow of current."

Project schedule:
21-24 August: Truro rehearsals for Cornwall participants
28 and 29 August: London rehearsals for Cornwall and London participants
30 August: Performance at Prom 60 by combined Family Orchestra and Chorus

How to take part: spaces are limited so apply soon. You can register your interest in the Proms Family Orchestra by visiting bbc.co.uk/proms and clicking on "Play at the Proms" (Prom 60). Or you can e-mail promslearning@bbc.co.uk or phone 020 7765 0643.

Notes to Editors

The minimum age is 7 and all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian throughout the project.

All participants must sign up in advance and must be available to attend all rehearsals.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms 2010

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms is the world's largest classical music festival, with more than 90 concerts – featuring many of the world's greatest artists and orchestras – as well as a host of extra events including talks, workshops, free performances and family events.

The Proms runs from Friday 16 July to Saturday 11 September 2010, and full information on the season is available at bbc.co.uk/proms.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms presents a wide range of music and artists and is renowned for its low ticket prices. Highlights this year include a huge opening weekend with Mahler's Symphony Of A Thousand, Wagner's The Mastersingers Of Nuremberg with Bryn Terfel and Verdi's Simon Boccanegra with Placido Domingo. There are two starry Broadway Proms dedicated to the music of Stephen Sondheim and Rodgers & Hammerstein, and the hugely successful Doctor Who Prom returns. Featured artists include Paul Lewis – who plays all of Beethoven's piano concertos – John Eliot Gardiner, Valery Gergiev, Sir Charles Mackerras and Sir Simon Rattle. Maria Joao Pires returns to the Proms after more than 10 years for an all-Chopin concert, while virtuoso violinist Nicola Benedetti and jazz star Jamie Cullum make their Proms debuts.

The season culminates with the famous Last Night Of The Proms, with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms in the Park and Big Screen events across the UK.

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Proms are broadcast on Radio 3, and many are broadcast on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ television (Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two and Four primarily, but also Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD), and all broadcasts are available via the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer for 7 days.

Full details are now on the Proms website: bbc.co.uk/proms.

Booking opens at 8am on Tuesday 4 May: online at bbc.co.uk/proms, by telephone 0845 401 5040 and in person at the Royal Albert Hall

MC4