Tonight marks the first ever appearance of the Proms Festival Orchestra, performing Mahler’s 5th Symphony under Mark Wigglesworth. The BBC has put this orchestra together to provide work for some London’s freelance musicians, and to highlight their plight over the last 18 months. There’s an interview with their harpist, Tamara Young, which describes the issues.

This is also the aspect of the work of Help Musicians which we have supported through last year’s and this year’s online collections. So far this year supporters have donated £1,335 towards this. You can still donate via our JustGiving page.

We are also supporting the music therapy work of Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly CLIC Sargent). So far £970 has been donated to them. Again the JustGiving page is still open for further donations.