CBSO auctioning musical experiences

Have you always wanted to conduct a professional symphony orchestra? Or to play in the strings section? An initiative by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra means you can.

The CBSO will be auctioning musical experiences on 'eBay for Charity' this Christmas to benefit its charity CBSO Ignite. Entitled 'So you think you can do better...?', the auction will invite eBay goers to bid for the chance to conduct the Orchestra, or to play in the strings section.

The winning bidder for the composition experience will have a one-hour masterclass with Andris Nelsons, the CBSO’s Music Director, before being let loose on the podium. The winning string players will receive a two-hour tutorial with a CBSO member before playing with the orchestra.

In the words of Stephen Maddock, Chief Executive of the CBSO, "These experiences open up a door of opportunity for budding musicians as well as giving them something to truly inspire them."  The auction will also benefit CBSO Ignite, the Orchestra’s charity, through which it works with more than 53,000 individuals of all ages and abilities, in choruses, a youth orchestra and education and outreach programmes.

Maddock says the campaign "is about making sure that more people get the opportunity to experience what it is like to be part of a musical family whilst ensuring that thousands of individuals, through this fundraising effort, have the opportunity to be part of a musical journey for life".

The eBay ‘So you think you can do better…?’ experiences are open to musical enthusiasts over 18. In addition, to undertake the strings experience, winners need to play to a standard of Grade 8 or above on their instrument of choice. Aside from the conducting or playing experience, they will also receive VIP tickets to a CBSO concert and exclusive dinner, at which they will meet world-renowned musicians.

To find out more about the auction, click here.