Birmingham hotel in tune to the needs of the CBSO
A BIRMINGHAM city hotel is extending its support of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) following the announcement that the orchestra is to receive a 25% cut in funding from Birmingham City Council from April this year.
The partnership, which was formed in September last year, has seen Park Regis provide support to the CBSO by hosting a series of corporate and pre-concert events, as well as providing hotel clients with opportunities to enjoy the CBSO perform at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall.
Robin Ford, general manager at Park Regis Birmingham, said: “The CBSO is one of the country’s finest arts institutions, here on our doorstep. It is more critical now than ever that businesses in the region come forward to form commercial partnerships with organisations such as the CBSO, allowing them to continue to deliver world-class performances in our city.”
Bridget Blow, CBSO chair, said: “There is global excitement about the CBSO’s future with one of the world’s most exciting young conductors, Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, at the helm. Given reduced public funding, we are grateful for the generosity of Park Regis, which recognises the importance of art and culture to the local economy. We both have an opportunity to continue to boost the city’s reputation as a great destination for visitors.”
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is one of the world’s great orchestras. Based at the city’s Symphony Hall, the orchestra and its ensembles give over 150 concerts each year – both in the UK and worldwide – playing a wide range of music including everything from Wagner operas to world premieres, film music and family concerts.
With a far-reaching education and community programme, six choruses and a Youth Orchestra, it is involved with every aspect of music-making in the Midlands. But at its heart is a team of 90 professional musicians, and a 95-year tradition of performing the world’s greatest music.
The orchestra was founded by future Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in 1920, and Sir Edward Elgar conducted its inaugural concert. But it was when it discovered the young British conductor Simon Rattle in 1980 that the CBSO became internationally famous, and showed how the arts could help give a new sense of direction to a whole city.
Rattle’s successors Sakari Oramo and Andris Nelsons cemented that global reputation, and continued to build on the CBSO’s distinguished tradition as one of the UK’s leading musical ambassadors.
Under the artistic leadership of newly-appointed Osborn Music Director Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, the orchestra is continuing to do what it does best – playing great music for people in Birmingham and beyond.
As it approaches its centenary in 2020, the CBSO remains one of the most vibrant cultural organisations in the UK.
