Are you one of those people who find the world of Western classical music a bit snobbish1 and inaccessible2? The Proms or the BBC Promenade3 Concerts to give the worlds largest music festival its full name - might help you change your mind.
For eight weeks every summer, the Royal Albert Hall in London opens its doors to all-comers and puts on a music show that is varied4 and wide-ranging. Some music lovers want to get as close as possible to the conductor. They are happy to stand up to listen to orchestras and soloists5 playing symphonies, overtures6 and concertos7 by the worlds TOP composers all for just 5.
The festival has been going since 1895 and has always tried to be informal and relatively8 cheap. The Prommers the classical music groupies who like to stand typify this relaxed ethos. Before performances, they shout out jokes and every time the lid of the piano is lifted they shout heave in unison9.
One of the highlights of the Proms is the Last Night, which has a worldwide screening. Popular classics are played while the Prommers wave flags and sing along to the catchy10 tunes11. The Last Night is so popular with audiences that a ballot12 has to be held - several months in advance - so that everyone who wants a ticket has a chance of getting one. But it has been criticised by some for being too British and jingoistic13.
In recent years the Proms have grown so that they now include simultaneous screenings in other British cities, lunchtime concerts, talks, childrens Proms, film and rock music, musicals, Indian classical music, and even tunes from the BBC series Dr Who. The expanding offer is proving popular with audiences old and new. Perhaps classical music isnt quite so elitist, after all.
