Jazz, folk, urban and world music will be on the programme for the BBC’s London 2012 Cultural Olympiad music festival. The broadcaster has unveiled plans for the weekend event, which is due to take place on March 3rd and 4th next year.Music forms an integral part of any major event, providing the backdrop and helping set the scene for what’s to come. As such, Olympic organisers and partners are hoping to create something spectacular for next year’s event.
Music Nation is a key part of Festival 2012 and will see the formation of the world’s biggest youth orchestra. It is one of the events being run by the BBC to celebrate the Cultural Olympiad, alongside the recently announced Radio 1 Hackney weekend and the 2012 Proms season.
The idea is to stage performances in 45 venues across the UK – among them, the first joint performance of the Ulster and RTE Orchestras in Belfast.
More than 65,000 tickets will be available for the free and paid-for events and 25,000 people are expected to take part.
Director of BBC Audio and Music Tim Davie said the BBC was proud to have brought people together to create Music Nation, a first for the UK orchestral sector.
“It will showcase the hugely important role that orchestra, choirs and venues play in communities and create an amazing weekend of fantastic live music,” he said.
London 2012 Cultural Olympiad director Ruth Mackenzie added: “With events all over the country, we hope as many people as possible will join in with Music Nation as they prepare for the London 2012 Festival and a fantastic summer of cultural celebration.”
The weekend will feature performances by Rufus Wainwright, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Nicola Benedetti.
Coverage of the event will be provided by BBC Radio 3, with additional programming on BBC Radio 2, BBC Scotland, BBC Wales, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC local radio.