Introduction

I’m delighted to be back in Birmingham for these Christmas concerts. It’s a city I’ve worked in many times over the years, including a production very early on in my career of She Stoops To Conquer at The Old Rep, nearly thirty years ago.

Much more recently, I was here to unveil a glorious portrait of the director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, Carlos Acosta, by Portrait Artist of the Year, Curtis Holder, for the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. It's a city with a fantastic and diverse arts scene and I’m so looking forward to these Christmas concerts at the Symphony Hall and to working alongside the CBSO.

I play many of the pieces we’ll be hearing on my weekly Classic FM radio show but nothing beats being in the room and hearing the music live. It’s a genuine privilege and one I don’t take for granted.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of togetherness and joy that getting together at Christmas and belting out some carols can bring. I say ‘belting’ – that’s what I’ll be doing - but thankfully I’ll be drowned out by a collection of world-class musicians! I’ll be adding my voice to all of yours as we fill the Symphony Hall with Christmas cheer.

Thank you for joining us and I wish you all a wonderful Christmas, whatever your plans, and a prosperous and safe New Year.

Stephen Mangan
Presenter

Inspire children to explore the world of live music!

This February, we want to welcome more than 14,000 young people into the concert hall and a further 10,000 online. Many of these young people will be experiencing live orchestral music for the very first time. Our Schools’ Concerts are here to make these moments special!

Delivering these tailored concerts costs over £160,000. Income from ticket sales and generous support from Services For Education covers just over half of this, but we are left with around £90,000 to fundraise through trust and foundations and philanthropic individuals like you.

We hope every child in the West Midlands leaves school with a passion for music. By supporting our 2026 Schools’ Concerts Appeal, you help build crucial connections between the CBSO and schools across
the region.

With generous support from anonymous donors, we have £20,000 of match-funding available! If you can, please help us continue to deliver inspirational music to young people across the West Midlands by donating online today, doubling your donation and impact!

Donate to Schools' Concerts Appeal