Latest news with #BristolBeacon
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Genre-defying' BBC Proms concerts planned for Bristol Beacon
The chief executive of one of Bristol's leading venues has said he is "very proud" to welcome back the "genre-defying" BBC Proms. Alongside its traditional home at London's Royal Albert Hall, Bristol Beacon is set to host a weekend of events from 22 to 24 August. Sprawling out from the main concert hall to the building's public spaces and beyond, the performances will encompass everything from a performance by the Danish National Vocal ensemble to a classical DJ set. "Bristol is a really vibrant musical city," said Simon Wales, Bristol Beacon's chief executive. "There's a huge amount going on here, and our Proms weekend is a really kind of genre-defying combination of all different types of music, from local artists to international," he added. It is the second year in a row that the Bristol Beacon has hosted the classical music festival, following its long-awaited reopening in November 2023. "This is a venue, a resource, that Bristol should be really proud of," Mr Wales said. "It really is one of the best music spaces in the country, and the Proms means that we can show it off to its full extent." As well as entertaining those in the venues themselves, many of the performances will also be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 - making them accessible to listeners worldwide. "Last year in 2024, it was the first Proms [in Bristol], and so there was a lot for everyone to learn about how to make all the spaces work for the live broadcasts that were going out," Mr Wales said."I think everyone will find it much easier this year. There'll be a bit less last-minute problem-solving." 'Absolutely right' While the events planned for the bank holiday weekend do include the traditional performances normally associated with the Proms, Mr Wales explained that the programme aimed to challenge preconceptions of classical music. "We really are reflecting some of the diversity and adventure you find in the Bristol music scene," he said. "This is a civic venue, it's owned by Bristol, and we as a charity are here to ensure that we welcome everyone to all types of music. So, this partnership with BBC Proms feels absolutely right."
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bristol Earthsong music programme continues after £650k grant
Children in 11 city primary schools will be able to have specialist music education after a grant of more than £650,000 was pledged to keep their programme going for another five Earthsong Programme is the only one of its kind in the UK, and the result of a partnership between the Earthsong Foundation and Bristol project will benefit about 4,000 children from Bristol schools, aged 4-11, with lessons from pitch, rhythm and tempo to composing first phase, between 2019-24, focussed on children from areas of multiple depravation and involved more than 3,000 pupils. Adam Kent, 43, Director of Creative Learning and Engagement at Bristol Beacon said the extension of the programme helps children "discover themselves as musicians"."They perform in their schools and on the main stage at the Bristol Beacon, enjoying all of these fantastic, life affirming experiences...""And we're really excited to continue that for another five years," he added. As someone who struggled academically at school due to dyslexia, he said music "clicked" for him and helped his confidence."So for me, it's lovely to offer a similar experience to more young people across Bristol," he added. The 11 Bristol schools participating in the Earthsong Programme are Ashley Down Primary School, Brunel Field Primary School, Cabot Primary School, Evergreen Primary Academy, Fonthill Primary Academy and Horfield Church of England Primary included are Minerva Primary Academy, Parson Street Primary School, St Mary Redcliffe Church of England Primary School, Stoke Park Primary School and St Patrick's Catholic Primary School.
BBC News
09-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bristol Beacon completes £1m organ restoration
A major concert hall's pipe organ has been fully restored after a seven-year Grade II-listed pipe organ inside Bristol Beacon is one of the last 'late Romantic' style concert hall organs in the entire part of the building's grand reopening in November 2023, the pipe organ was reinstated, but the final adjustments could only be made earlier this Coleman, from Bristol Beacon, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have the Britton Organ back in its rightful place in Beacon Hall." The instrument had to be completely taken apart as part of the of the process involved cataloguing each of the organ's 5,372 pipes, which range in size from small tin whistles to 32 ft bass lorries were needed to transport all the parts up to Durham, where it was both originally made and recently project was completed by organ builders Harrison and Harrison, the contractor which built and installed the current organ in 1956 after a discarded cigarette set the hall and the previous organ from the firm said they had to scrape multiple layers of nicotine from each part. Now back in place, the organ was renamed the "Britton Organ" after a £250,000 donation was made by Bristol foundation the Jack and Monica Britton Trust, which supports young organists and organ refurbishments as Jack was a passionate month, donors towards the project had the chance to take a sneak preview of the restored instrument in a private and Harrison said that the venue's refurbishment gave them the "perfect opportunity to undertake a full restoration" of the pipe organ, aimed at helping improve the acoustics inside Beacon Coleman, said "It's one of the last pieces in the jigsaw following our transformation."We can't wait to hear it being played in several concerts next year - its 70th anniversary year - during our 25/26 Orchestral Season."Bristol Beacon, formerly known as The Colston Hall, underwent a £132 million refurbishment, which saw the venue shut for five final cost of the project was criticised by some as it had tripled from the original estimates, although the venue has pledged to pay back £8m of its profits to the city council.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bristol in Pictures: The Manics rock the Beacon
Twice this week Bristol Rovers have been supported by about 9,000 fans at the Mem. Sadly it didn't help them on the pitch with two disastrous defeats. Elsewhere in the city, the next generation of musicians have been showcasing their talent at the Bristol Beacon, while a popular bakery chain was effectively handed over to its staff to run. Special masses were celebrated at Easter, and flags were flying proudly to celebrate St George's Day. Packed out: The Bristol Beacon was jumping on Saturday night as Welsh indie rockers the Manic Street Preachers took to the stage. Stepping forward: A new permanent audio trail is being launched to tell the stories of the Christmas Steps in the city centre. Performers from the Invisible Circus will be returning to bring the tales to life on 3 May from 19:30 BST. Keep the brolly handy: Easter Monday didn't bring much in the way of sunshine to Bristol, whereas the forecast for this coming week is a bit more promising. Ones to watch: The Bristol Beacon Next Level showcase saw multiple young artists performing at the end of a writing, production and rehearsal camp. The group will now be supported by Big Team & Bristol Beacon over the next 18 months to help them take the next steps in their musical careers. Blessed: Clifton Cathedral was packed for the annual Chrism Mass, where the oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens were blessed by Bishop Bosco ahead of being used throughout the diocese in the coming year. Back at the Gate: Fans made their way to Ashton Gate on Sunday to watch Bristol City Women's FC take on Sunderland. Locks of love: Pero's Bridge over the harbour is weighed down by many hundreds of padlocks, which often bear the initials of couples as a way of showing their affection for each other. The bridge is named after slave Pero Jones, who lived in the city. Rising to the top: Parsons Bakery, which began in Clevedon in 1926, has moved to an employee ownership meaning the family business, which has branches all over the West, is now effectively owned by its 400 staff. Flying the flag: In the week of St George's Day, you can rely on the Three Lions pub on West Street to show a bit of patriotism. Play on: Cricket fans were back at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol to watch Gloucestershire take on Leicestershire this weekend. Top deck: Sometimes the best way to see the murals of Stokes Croft is from the seats at the front of the 75 or 76 bus (other buses are available). Never forget: An exhibition highlighting the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine is on in the city centre. Erased from the Face of the Earth can be seen at the M Shed until 20 July. Taking over: Adam Flint has been named as the new chair of the Bristol Hoteliers Association. Mr Flint, general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton in the city centre, has taken over from Raphael Herzog. All in a good cause: Law firm Burges Salmon transformed its Bristol HQ into a fine dining venue to raise more than £10,000 for various charities, helped by celebrated chef Josh Eggleton MBE. Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 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Bristol in pictures: Faith, foxes and Filwood Bristol in pictures: Big beasts are waking up Bristol in pictures: Parades, concerts and a Grinch Bristol in pictures: From park runs to pilots Bristol in pictures: Snow and the Severnside derby Bristol in pictures: Images from across the city
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bristol in Pictures: Rovers, St George's Day and rising stars
Twice this week Bristol Rovers have been supported by about 9,000 fans at the Mem. Sadly it didn't help them on the pitch with two disastrous in the city, the next generation of musicians have been showcasing their talent at the Bristol Beacon, while a popular bakery chain was effectively handed over to its staff to masses were celebrated at Easter, and flags were flying proudly to celebrate St George's Day. Ones to watch: The Bristol Beacon Next Level showcase saw multiple young artists performing at the end of a writing, production and rehearsal camp. The group will now be supported by Big Team & Bristol Beacon over the next 18 months to help them take the next steps in their musical careers. Stepping forward: A new permanent audio trail is being launched to tell the stories of the Christmas Steps in the city centre. Performers from the Invisible Circus will be returning to bring the tales to life on 3 May from 19:30 BST. Keep the brolly handy: Easter Monday didn't bring much in the way of sunshine to Bristol, whereas the forecast for this coming week is a bit more promising. Blessed: Clifton Cathedral was packed for the annual Chrism Mass, where the oil of the sick and the oil of catechumens were blessed by Bishop Bosco ahead of being used throughout the diocese in the coming year. Locks of love: Pero's Bridge over the harbour is weighed down by many hundreds of padlocks, which often bear the initials of couples as a way of showing their affection for each other. The bridge is named after slave Pero Jones, who lived in the city. Rising to the top: Parsons Bakery, which began in Clevedon in 1926, has moved to an employee ownership meaning the family business, which has branches all over the West, is now effectively owned by its 400 staff. Flying the flag: In the week of St George's Day, you can rely on the Three Lions pub on West Street to show a bit of patriotism. Play on: Cricket fans were back at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol to watch Gloucestershire take on Leicestershire this weekend. Top deck: Sometimes the best way to see the murals of Stokes Croft is from the seats at the front of the 75 or 76 bus (other buses are available). Never forget: An exhibition highlighting the impact of the ongoing war in Ukraine is on in the city centre. Erased from the Face of the Earth can be seen at the M Shed until 20 July. Taking over: Adam Flint has been named as the new chair of the Bristol Hoteliers Association. Mr Flint, general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton in the city centre, has taken over from Raphael Herzog. All in a good cause: Law firm Burges Salmon transformed its Bristol HQ into a fine dining venue to raise more than £10,000 for various charities, helped by celebrated chef Josh Eggleton MBE.
