I have never 
had to begin a concert rehearsal with a health and safety briefing, but given the Philharmonic Hall is someway into a huge rebuilding programme, and access to and from the temporary stage door is via a full on building site, it was only to be expected. The front of house areas have all been re-thought and upgraded, and many improvements incorporated into the hall itself will help to provide Liverpool with a superb building for its world class orchestra and visitors alike. There is still work to be completed but by summer 2015, Philharmonic Hall, alongside the nearby newly rebuilt award winning Everyman Theatre, will be a source of great artistic pride in this great city.
Our concert last Saturday was enormous fun, although it’s very frustrating to now have to wait another 12 months before we get a chance to revisit this programme. We hope everything stays in the memory bank ready to be reactivated next Christmas. However, we do have the opportunity to sing 4 of the Christmas items with the Royal Philharmonic at Cadogan Hall, tomorrow night. Ostensibly a 60’s concert – ‘Swingin’ Sixties at Christmas’, we will add a little seasonal cheer to close the concert.