Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, although Town Hall and Symphony Hall have closed, the music has played on.
The last performance at the Birmingham venues saw Jamie Cullum perform to a sell-out audience. Before the concert, the award-winning artist met four Birmingham-based jazz pianists from the Jazzlines talent development programme.
David Austin Grey, Ashley Allen, Piera Onarko and Stella Roberts will perform across consecutive Friday’s in Spring 2021 part of a series titled “Jamie Cullum recommends”. Each concert, which were originally scheduled for this Autumn, will be free to attend but tickets must be booked in advance in order to secure entry.
Jamie Cullum said: “I was thrilled to be asked to recommend some of the hottest artists from Town Hall Symphony Hall’s Jazzlines Talent Development Program. These four incredible Birmingham based Jazz pianists; David Austin Grey, Ashley Allen, Piera Onako and Stella Roberts must be seen so make sure you catch this exceptional series of talent.”
The live music industry is asking the general public to share pictures and videos from the last concert they attended on social media with the hashtag #LetTheMusicPlay, to show the vital importance of the UK’s live music industry.
Nick Reed, Town Hall Symphony Hall’s Chief Executive said: “I’m proud of the digital activities we have continued to deliver in these desperate times. Of course, our charitable output relies on income generated through our core business of live music entertainment and sustaining these impactful activities long-term is simply not possible. The recently published government guidelines provide no assurance. We urgently need a time-based plan for re-opening at full capacity and a financial support package in order for the thriving and exciting music scene in this city to survive.”
Beyond the 800 events and performances on Birmingham’s world-renowned stages every year, the music charity responsible for Town Hall and Symphony Hall provides life-changing experiences to over 18,000 young people and adults and has continued to provide for audiences and participants alike.
Over 150 people have joined online workshops as part of Community Spirit - a project run in partnership with THSH Associate Artists, Black Voices which offers local community choirs the opportunity to share repertoire and perform as a collective.
50 participants from BIMM Birmingham and CUBE joined one of pop music's leading music directors, Kojo Samuel for a virtual Q+A. He shared industry insights, including his involvement with Stormzy's headline-grabbing set on the Pyramid stage at last year's Glastonbury.
5 Black Birmingham jazz musicians have been commissioned to compose new music as part of the music charity’s talent development programme. One of the three pieces released last week has been selected by Jazz FM’s China Moses as her Late Night Track of the Week.
Digital broadcasts from Town Hall and Symphony Hall in the last three months have amassed almost 200,000 views. Winners of two prestigious BBC Young Musician competitions, Xhosa Cole and Lauren Zhang performed digital concerts to online audiences, direct from the centre of Birmingham’s cultural heart. Other artists including Daniel O’Donnell, Eric Bibb and Isata Kanneh-Mason have performed for online audiences from their homes. Town Hall and Symphony Hall have also shared pre-recorded concerts from across the continent as part of a collaboration amongst European Concert Halls.
According to research conducted by Virgin Money, music has powered British optimism during the coronavirus pandemic, with almost half (43%) of Birmingham attributing music as being the creative force helping to keep their spirits high.
In addition to having a positive impact on mental health, the live music industry contributes £4.5billion in gross value added each year.
