CBSO Christmas Party

We are looking at a programme dedicated to the secular American holiday songbook, moving away from formal liturgical music toward the jazz-inflected standards of the mid-twentieth century. You will hear iconic melodies including White Christmas and Winter Wonderland, works that rely on rich, lush orchestral textures and swing rhythms. The evening provides a symphonic scale to familiar tunes such as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, which usually feature smaller arrangements. Listen for the interplay between the massive choral forces and the woodwind section during the more upbeat numbers like All I Want for Christmas is You. The shape of the evening is designed for accessibility and nostalgia, focusing on seasonal warmth and recognizable hooks rather than complex avant-garde structures. It offers a chance to hear how a full orchestra can transform simple, popular melodies into something expansive and grand, filling the acoustic space with a sense of collective celebration.

Conductor Stephen Bell leads the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, a cornerstone of the UK’s musical landscape based at Symphony Hall. Joining them is saxophonist Jess Gillam, known for her energetic presence, alongside vocalists Sumudu Jayatilaka and Tom Solomon. The scale of the performance is significant, featuring the combined voices of the CBSO Chorus, the CBSO Youth Chorus, and the CBSO Children's Chorus. This ensemble of hundreds brings a powerful vocal depth to the orchestral arrangements, showcasing the full range of the organization’s educational and professional vocal divisions.

This performance takes place at Symphony Hall in Birmingham and lasts approximately 120 minutes. It is an ideal entry point if you are new to orchestral music, as the programme consists entirely of well-known festive songs rather than long-form classical symphonies. The atmosphere is intended to be relaxed and welcoming for a wide audience. There is no specific dress code mentioned for this event. Tickets start from a low price point, making it a accessible option for those visiting the city centre during the December period.