When summer rolls around, there’s something a little different in store for the Orchestra. We gather up our instruments and our music, and head out to beautiful locations in the region, to play music for audiences.

A mainstay of the summer are our Meyrick Park ‘Proms in the Park’ concerts in Bournemouth. This year music took us on a tour from the greats of cinema and beloved classical pieces [7 Aug] to all the best hits of the ‘90s [9 Aug].

Friday night was conducted by the Orchestra’s outgoing Calleva Assistant Conductor, Enyi Okpara, as he finished his two-year stint. Saturday night was conducted by BSO Pops conductor Pete Harrison, accompanied by a host of west-end singers.

We had an absolute blast playing music for audiences in the heart of Bournemouth with almost 7,000 people coming into Bournemouth for this special event. Many brought along picnics to enjoy the event with a selection of snacks and maybe a glass of bubbly, too.

Bournemouth Echo said “This much anticipated weekend is the very essence of joy and happiness delivered by the awesome power of arts and culture.”

The previous month we celebrated the centenary of Portsmouth’s city status with a double bill of concerts in Portsmouth’s Guildhall Square. Two nights of music marked the event; the first [17 July] centring around the music of two titans of Hollywood – John Williams and Hans Zimmer, while the second [18 July] was an all-out celebration of music from the fabulous decade of the ‘80s.

The Portsmouth News said, “Being up close to the orchestra, you can feel the power of their playing and there is absolute joy witnessing them in full flight.”

We were delighted to join audiences in the Isle of Wight for music earlier in the month on 11 July and 12 July. The Isle of Wight Proms featured soprano Thea Callaghan, pianist Thomas Luke and violinist Lizzie Ball, and a selection of classic Proms music on the Saturday, while Sunday’s performance celebrated ‘A Night at the Movies’, and featured a host of favourite film scores.

The Isle of Wight Observer said “The beautiful setting at Robin Hill surely surpassed any concert venue one can think of […] And what a privilege to hear such fine performances, especially from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and their two conductors, Enyi Okpara and Pete Harrison.”

The stunning backdrop of Dorset’s beloved Corfe Castle set the scene for Love it Local Events’ ‘Summer Nights in the Castle’ – which found the BSO celebrating music from ‘West End to Hollywood’ [24 July,] ‘Smash Hits – ‘80s’ [25 July] and a family-friendly concert inspired by the animal world [26 July].

Based at Lighthouse, Poole, the Orchestra is resident in Bristol, Exeter, Portsmouth, Southampton and Yeovil, and performs – throughout the year – in towns and villages across the region.

Keep your eyes peeled on our what’s on pages for details of all our summer events (and early bird tickets) next year!