Posted on 30 August 2011
Musica Benevolens, commissioned by the Fund, has been composed by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Master of the Queens Music and the Fund’s President.
The Prom is one of the Fund’s 90 years: 90 big ideas campaigns which have been taking place throughout the UK this year to mark our 90th birthday.
Over the nine-week span of the BBC Proms, a dedicated team of trustees and associates from the Promenaders’ Musical Charities have been collecting after each concert at the doors of the Royal Albert Hall. Each year several charities including the Fund benefit from the collections taken.
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies' new work is to thank the Promenaders’ Musical Charities for their long-term fundraising activities. Thanks to the generosity of the Proms audiences in 2010, the Musicians Benevolent Fund received a record £40,000. During the 2011 Proms season, £51,000 has been raised so far.
The Last Night will feature pianist Lang Lang, supporter of the Fund soprano Susan Bullock, the BBC Symphony Chorus and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Edward Gardner.
Visit the Promenader's Facebook page for more information and to see how much has been raised so far.
Read the full story in our Proms Press Release.