AN ORCHESTRA will be celebrating the return of live music with a post-lockdown performance at Victoria Hall.

The performance, lead by conductor Ben Crick, will mark the first full production the Bolton Symphony Orchestra has put on since the Covid crisis put paid to normal musical shows.

However, they have been sure to keep their skills honed over the last few months

Oboe player and publicity officer Nikki Lord said: "We did a performance in July with a lot of smaller groups.

"We did a lot of smaller pieces like a wood piece and a brass piece separately but this definitely our first full orchestral performance since lockdown."

Before lockdown, the Bolton Symphony Orchestra established a reputation as one of the leading non-professional ensembles in the North and have recorded two CDs

Now, with normal cultural life returning, the orchestra also hopes to encourage younger people to attend their concerts and as such is offering free tickets to under 19s at the Knowsley Street venue.

However, they will need to reserve a ticket via the Victoria Hall, while tickets for those over the age of 19 will cost £12.

The full performance will take place on Saturday September 25 and will feature Copland, Elgar and Shostakovich on the programme.

The Elgar performance will star Royal Northern College of Music alumnus Doug Badger as a cello soloist.

Ms Lord said: "Everyone is very excited to be able to play as a full symphony orchestra again!"

But this isn't all that the orchestra has planned, with another major show planned for November 14.

Ms Lord said: "We normally do six concerts per year so this would normally be concert five out of six."

She added "The next one we're planning is a joint performance with the Bolton Catholic Musical and Choral Society so that will be even bigger and will include their choir."

To book tickets, call 01204 522569 or go to: https://www.victoriahallbolton.co.uk/.