BBC - A Symphony for Yorkshire

Purple are incredibly proud to announce that we have just completed work on an extremely ambitious musical project for the BBC - a 4-part Symphony based around a poem to celebrate Yorkshire Day 2010. During June we have recorded over 230 musicians from all areas of Yorkshire; Brass Bands, String Quartets, Musical Saws, Woodwind groups, a Saxophone Orchestra, 40 piece Male Voice Choir, Tablas, Drummers, pianists, singers, a Caralon at York Minster and a tambourine to name but a few. We have recorded well over 1,000 tracks of audio for 4 movements. It started small and blossomed into one of the largest, most complex and challenging recordings that we have been involved with. Composer Benjamin Till came to us after working with Hazel on A1: The Road Musical. Hazel and Simon have worked extremely hard but feel proud and privileged to have been part of something so special.

'To work with ordinary people who are passionate about music, not professional session musicians, and to be able to give them an opportunity to experience a recording studio and be a part of something so exciting is very rewarding. It has been a massive challenge for us but a fantastic opportunity to work alongside a brilliant composer and to have the support of Alison from the BBC was amazing. I feel very privileged to have been able to take part.'

Every piece of audio was recorded at Purple [with the exception of the Caralon at Yorkminster and a very large brass band]. The live room is very flexible and heavily acoustically treated which is essential when you need to record such a range of instruments. Simon and Hazel shared the mammoth recording duties, Simon went on to edit the audio whilst Hazel arranged, mixed and mastered the overall project. Simon ended up singing a line in the fourth movement, which was brilliant!

The music of the Symphony is accompanied by a film shot in HD showing some of the most spectacular locations around Yorkshire. The audio is premiered on BBC Radio Leeds, Sheffield, York & Humberside on 01 August from 11:00 to 12:00. The full film will be shown on 2nd August on BBC Look North.

This Friday 23rd July saw the 4th jam night. Jack Hopkinson was the main attraction, you can see pictures and hear excerpts from the session on www.facebook.com/purpleproaudio . It ended a t 12 midnight and a good time was had by all. We are taking a summer holiday in August due to Carnival, Leeds Fest, etc.. and will be back in September.

If you would like to come along for future dates then please reserve your place by sending us a short email to info@purpleproaudio.com or calling us on 0113 290 9161.

More details will be announced as we have them...

We have also just finished mastering the latest offering from Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers. Interspecies Disco is a fantastic collection of 'Tuba-powered Moustache Cabaret'. They are a generous bunch and play many gigs in the area so go and check them out...http://biscuithead.co.uk/