The Proms Come To Melbourne

Loved by the British for over 120 years, BBC Proms comes to Australia for the first time bringing one of the world’s foremost musical experiences to Melbourne.

Taking place over the next four days at Hamer Hall, the classical concert series will provide Australian audiences a taste of the iconic festival.

Not only will this be the first time BBC Proms will venture outside of the UK, but it will also mark the first time three Australian orchestras from different cities will play together in one program.

Celebrating classical music in all of its forms, the Proms showcases new Australian commissions, children’s concerts and unique musical collaborations celebrating contemporary genres.

One of those unique collaborations is international beatboxer Tom Thum teaming up with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra to present Thum Prints.

“You should expect the unexpected,” Thum told Milk Bar Mag.

“I don’t want to give too much away as I want people to be kept a little in the dark about what we have in store for them, but I can say that it’s going to be weird, sincere, hyper, extreme, and humorous – the list could go on and on!”

The inclusion of Thum’s beatboxing is said to bring to life an intoxicating mix of Latino fire and street beats, breaking through the boundaries of what classical music is known for.

“I saw this as a chance to really push the limits of classical music – to showcase how diverse and exciting the genre can be,” Thum says.

Thum explains that it is the differences in genres that make these two different musical acts work so well together.

“The fact that beatboxing is completely opposite to classical music is what makes it work so well – they say opposites attract.”

“Aside from genre diversity, beatboxing holds a lot of similarities to classical music. It’s just that the musical instruments that I use look a little different.”

Thum Prints is a part of Prom Two which will be performed on Thursday 14th April, which will also include Alondra de la Parra, Sergio Tiempo and Gordon Hamilton.

A taste of the world’s greatest classical music festival comes to our own backyard and is not to be missed.

BBC Proms Australia
Wednesday April 13 – Saturday April 16
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
bbcpromsaustralia.com