Photo opportunity: 12.45pm, Friday 3 October, University of Dundee Chaplaincy, Cross Row. Dr Jacqui Wood (co-ordinator of Ninewells Cancer Campaign), David Wallace (NSPO treasurer), and musicians.
The Northern Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra (NSPO), the Dundee Choral Union and the Dundee branch of the National Youth Choir of Scotland will perform a musical spectacular at the Caird Hall, Dundee, on Saturday 8 November in aid of the University of Dundee’s Ninewells Cancer Campaign.
Over 200 accomplished musicians will fill the hall with the Scottish premiere of The Queen Symphony, a six-movement work by British composer Tolga Kashif, inspired by the music of legendary rock band Queen.
The EMI-commissioned symphony features many of Queen’s best-loved hits and is certain to enchant classical music lovers and Queen devotees alike.
The performance of The Queen Symphony follows the NSPO’s stunningly successful inaugural concert in the Caird Hall in February 2003 which raised over £10,000 for the University of Dundee’s TICR Campaign.
NSPO conductor and musical director David Grant, formerly a professional bassoonist and now a surgeon Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, is particularly keen to raise money for medical causes.
He said, "We chose NCC after a successful collaboration with TICR and felt that it was an important cause to support. I treat patients who have cancer of the head and neck and realise the importance of research into an area that has such a profound impact on people’s lives.
"We love playing in Dundee because the Caird Hall has some of the best acoustic properties in Europe and the audiences appreciate the orchestra’s dynamic and exciting playing.
"We chose the Queen Symphony because it is big, modern and popular having been in the Classic FM charts for nearly a year now. We are excited to give its Scottish premiere and only second live UK performance. It continues our commitment to large scale symphonic playing and we are delighted to be joined by the Dundee Choral Union and NYCoS."
Over the past decade, £12 million has been raised for a range of facilities thereby ensuring that the University of Dundee and Ninewells remain at the forefront of research into and treatment of cancer.
Campaign Chair Dr Jacqui Wood said, "It is wonderful that the NSPO together with the Dundee Choral Union and the NYCoS Dundee Children’s Choir are performing the Scottish premiere of The Queen Symphony to help continue this vital research.
"I am sure the concert will prove to be a memorable experience for all those who attend."
The NSPO was founded in June 2002 to promote excellency in music-making by bringing together musicians from the east and west of Scotland, and to raise money for charitable causes through staging public concerts.
The musicians and singers will also perform Overture to Candide and a suite from Swan Lake, and there will be a raffle held on the night to raise further funds.
The concert will start at 7.30 pm. Tickets are available from the Dundee City box office on 01382 434940 and are priced £15 (£10 concessions, accompanied under 16s free).
Editor’s notes
Dundee Choral Union’s musical director is Neil Mantle.
The Dundee branch of NYCoS’s musical director is Fiona McIntosh
By Esther Black, Press Officer 01382 344768 e.z.black@dundee.ac.uk