by Faith Eckersall.

Music lovers will be spoiled for choice this festive season as the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra prepares to play 20 concerts across its home region.
There’s plenty to look forward to, from traditional choral classics and film music, to smaller-scale performances in rural spaces. With concessionary tickets starting at £6 there are experiences to suit a range of budgets to bring all ages together.
Orchestra chief executive Dougie Scarfe said: “We can’t wait to help people find those few hours of escapism and mark the start of a fresh new year.
“There’s something for everyone, we’re even bringing a quiz to our rural concerts.”

Lajos Sarkozy Jr

For those who fancy a traditional festive sing-along, the Celebration of Christmas Carols at Lighthouse, Poole, on Friday, December 23 will fit the bill. Featuring enduring classics, it’ll exercise those vocal chords ahead of Christmas Day.
Handel’s Messiah is an enduring favourite and baroque specialist Laurence Cummings makes an anticipated return to Lighthouse on December 14, with singers Anna Devin, Jake Arditti, Sam Furness and Ashley Riches, along with the mighty Bournemouth Symphony Chorus.

Actor Ben Forster, best known for West End lead performances of Jesus Christ Superstar and The Phantom Of The Opera joins the orchestra for Last Night Of The Christmas Proms — in Poole on Saturday, December 17.
Southampton-based community choir BSO Voices returns for a night of Silver Screen Showstoppers at Southampton’s O2 Guildhall on December 4, featuring classics from West Side Story to Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.

Anna Devin

Meanwhile, you can herald 2023 in with the BSO’s Viennese Gala on January 1, in Poole, as the orchestra welcomes special guests, violinist Lajos Sárközy Jr and cimbalom player Jenő Lisztes, for a New Year Viennese Gala with a Hungarian twist.
There will be a Dementia Friendly festive ‘Cake Concert’ at The Spire, Poole, on Thursday, December 15, with a trio of BSO musicians playing for those who are living in community or in care and residential settings.
And on December 9, in Lychett Matravers Village Hall, there will be a BSO On Your Doorstep concert featuring festive works including The Nutcracker and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

For tickets and further information, see bsolive.com.