✨ THE BIG REVEAL ✨ We are excited to share with you our brilliant 2026 £1/€1.50 books! Children can choose their own book from 12 February 2026, FREE with a £1/€1.50 book token. 📚✨ Find out more on our website ➡️https://buff.ly/3VaLLAa #WBD26 #WorldBookDay #readforfun

“There’s a longstanding practice in UK politics to force disabled people to fight for their basic rights – a kind of gladiatorial scrap in which the Colosseum is replaced by the set of Good Morning Britain.” Today’s col. on the fallout of more ‘welfare reform.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

🧵The welfare cuts announced today mean people don’t know how they’ll survive. Some fear they’ll have no choice but to take their own lives. This government must take responsibility for the impact of the Spring Budget on the mental health crisis. 1/5 #SpringStatement

"The mighty outburst from the combined chorus and orchestra, a cry of pent-up exultation swept through Symphony Hall, had Yamada levitating from the podium and an audience thrilled." midlandsmusicreviews.co.uk/2025/02/an-alm… AN ALMIGHTY HAYDN ‘CREATION’ @thecbso.bsky.social ★★★★★

It absolutely WAS a treat! 😃

Delightfully joyful Haydn's Creation @thecbso.bsky.social 🤩 with Kazuki Yamada last night, with brilliant soloists Ashley Riches @carolynsampson.bsky.social James Way and wonderful CBSO Chorus 🎶✨🎶 Well worth a (re)listen on BBC Radio 3 - www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Today @BMusic_Ltd Symphony Hall 2:15pm 🎶🌈🎶 @thecbso.bsky.social / Kazuki Yamada / JamesEhnes - great music performed by great musicians for a great cause @CBSOBenevolent ✨✨✨✨✨ cbso.co.uk/events/benev...

🔊 #NowPlaying on #BBCRadio3: #Radio3InConcert - Shostakovich and Bartók from the CBSO in Birmingham Bartók, Shostakovich and the UK premiere of Akio Yashiro's Symphony for Large Orchestra. ▶️ Relisten on BBCSounds

Resident at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Ex Cathedra’s Singing Medicine team made music with over 3,000 children this year. Integral to the hospital community, sessions offer patients and families calm and comfort, bringing joy where it's so dearly needed. #RPSAwards

The RPS Impact Award is for an outstanding initiative or organisation that set out to have a lasting impact on the lives of people who may not experience classical music, demonstrating the positive, empowering role it can play in society. #RPSAwards Here are the nominees...

Staged for the first time since 1990, Birmingham Opera's riveting production of Tippett’s visionary New Year was a daring piece of artistic advocacy that engaged a fearless community chorus with a full-scale symphony orchestra and international soloists. #RPSAwards

The RPS Opera and Music Theatre Award is presented for an outstanding production or initiative in opera and music theatre in the UK. #RPSAwards The shortlisted productions are…

Celebrating a spectacular 50 years since their first concert, CBSO Chorus is testament to the UK's rich choral life. Members from all backgrounds come together in their free time to expertly perform choral classics and new commissions in the concert hall and beyond. #RPSAwards

The RPS Ensemble Award is presented for the outstanding quality and scope of the performances, and the work in any context, of a group of musicians in the UK. #RPSAwards Discover the nominated ensembles…

Kazuki Yamada's infectious energy and enthusiasm as Music Director at CBSO radiates from the podium to public spaces, connecting deeply with Birmingham's orchestra and local communities. He's a role model who proves that exceptional music can resonate with everyone. #RPSAwards

The RPS Conductor Award is presented for the outstanding quality and scope of the performances, and the work in any context, of a conductor in the UK. #RPSAwards Discover this year's shortlistees…

There's one award without a shortlist whose recipient will be announced at the #RPSAwards on 6 March. The RPS Gamechanger Award, supported by I Can Compose, is presented by the RPS Board and Council to those who break new ground in classical music in unique and contemporary ways.

We'd love you to join us at the #RPSAwards on 6 March at @royalbirmcons.bsky.social to celebrate outstanding artists and achievements in classical music UK-wide, hosted by Jess Gillam and @tommckinney.bsky.social. Everyone's welcome, tickets from £10: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

This weekend is your last chance to vote for the RPS Inspiration Award! You can find out more about the shortlistees, and cast your vote before 11am on Monday 3 February, on our website. #RPSAwards royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

The #RPSAwards tell a vital and uplifting story about classical music's resonance and reach. Taking place at Birmingham's @royalbirmcons.bsky.social on Thursday 6 March, we'd love you to join us and be part of the celebration: royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/awards/rps_m...

The 2025 #RPSAwards shortlists are revealed! Congratulations to all this year's shortlistees, who represent so many outstanding musical individuals, groups and initiatives inspiring communities across the UK. royalphilharmonicsociety.org.uk/rps_today/ne...

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) today announces a two-year contract extension for Music Director, Kazuki Yamada – reflecting his ever-deepening relationship with the orchestra and increasing involvement in creative decision making. cbso.co.uk/press/cbso-a...

In a normal world, ending birthright citizenship—a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment since 1868—would be something a president just couldn’t get away with. But Trump, who appointed three justices to the Supreme Court, very much owns the high court, and… www.vanityfair.com/news/story/d...

"Admirers of Shakespeare... Karabits got @thecbso.bsky.social's brass and percussion, all bite and swagger, to strut through the ballet’s best known showpiece ‘The Montagues and the Capulets’; totally attention-grabbing. There was subtlety and gentl.. www.midlandsmusicreviews.co.uk/2025/01/cbso...

"Romeo and Juliet without the tragedy? Prokofiev and Lyatoshynsky at Symphony Hall- bachtrack.com/review-karab... @thecbso.bsky.social ...The work’s opening outbursts were white hot, akin to cries of agony with numbed aftermaths, while the famous main theme conveyed palpable dread and malevolence."

The first state school in the UK to be set up in conjunction with a professional orchestra – the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) – and music is central to almost everything that happens here. www.theguardian.com/education/20...

I was snowed in at Barnsley library and a policeman came to fetch me. I told him I was already home | Joanne Harris

HNY! Here’s a little practise clip that none of you asked for! Short section from the 2nd mvt of my « siren suite » for sop + orchestra which I’m premiering next week with the CBSO - the orch also have a busy part in this mvt, can’t wait to try it out with everyone! @askonasholt.bsky.social

I’m old enough to remember Boris Johnson telling businesses Brexit paperwork could go in a bin. Now they need a warehouse to store it in

This self-serving statement attributed to Assad was released the same day reporting on him airlifting $250 million in cash from Damascus to Moscow and stealing millions in humanitarian aid meant for earthquake victims have emerged.

Totally fabulous experience @TheCBSO Explores CBSO Centre this evening, so amazing to be that near to the musicians, wandering around to the sound you wanted to hear most or instrument/musician you wanted to see up close in action! 🤩 and what incredible concentration they had!

Drama has a powerful positive impact on young people As drama teaching faces cuts at school, it must be remembered the profound effect on society’s youth it has, and the force for good it is | Victoria Davies #EduSky #Drama #DramaEdu #TeachingDrama centralbylines.co.uk/news/educati...

Four years ago, in a CBSO Zoom (Covid) meeting, Eugene Tzikindelean expressed a wish to perform the Elgar Violin Concerto with the CBSO in Birmingham. Last night at Birmingham Symphony Hall it finally happened and was worth every moment of the wait! 🌟🤩🌟

This will be good! Come and listen if you can…