On 26 April the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra will be 'going green' by staging an Environmental Prom, promoted by CIWEM and the Birmingham Community Foundation at the city's world famous Symphony Hall.

At this event CIWEM and the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra will present the world premiere of the complete Ballads for a Living Planet, with music and lyrics by Ian Barnett.

The work was commissioned originally by Chris Shirley-Smith, Director of Water Works UK, and funded by a grant from Thames Water Utilities. It was conceived as a self-contained song cycle and has been performed in London on a number of occasions but never in this complete and extended form. This is a versatile and accessible work that allows it to be performed by the widest possible range of choirs, using virtually any combination of available instruments, making it suitable for large ensembles, schools, small choirs and more intimate vocal groups with only modest resources. The Environment Prom performance will have over 250 orchestra and choir members on stage, with Andrew Glen narrating. Ivor McGregor has masterminded the orchestration.
 
Under the baton of Michael Lloyd, The Environment Prom will also feature other environmentally-inspired music such as Mussorgsky's Night on a Bare Mountain; extracts from Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite; Respighi's Pines of Rome; and Vaughan William's Lark Ascending, with violin soloist, Anna Ovsyanikova. Concert-goers will also be treated to the usual prom favourites, including Elgar's Land of Hope and Glory, and Parry's Jerusalem. The weather's part in the environment will not be forgotten as the evening is rounded off with an electrifying performance of the Thunder and Lightning Polka by Strauss.
 
Chris Shirley-Smith, Director of Water Works UK says: 'I am delighted that CIWEM has adopted Ballads for a Living Planet as part of its rallying call for greater environmental awareness and action both personal and corporate.'
 
Alastair Moseley, CIWEM's President and instigator of the Environment Prom, will be taking part in the Prom in his role as Principal Clarinet of the Birmingham Philarmonic Orchestra.  He says: 'In my year as President of what is the only Chartered institution to represent all aspects of the management and protection of the environment, I wanted to do something eye catching. Combining the skills of the wonderful BPO and CIWEM in staging this Prom in one of the world's greatest concert halls is the perfect way to do it!'
 
During the day there will be a free exhibition at the ICC enabling schools to tell how they have achieved 'Eco Status'. There will be a cash prize for the school that has achieved the most and displays the best stand. Money raised from the concert will be used to help schools in less advantaged areas of Birmingham go for 'Eco Status' and educate their students about sustainability and protecting the environment.
 
Tickets cost from £8.50 and are available to book online at www.thsh.co.uk/view/the-birmingham-philharmonic-environment-prom .