These Promenade Concert Orchestra reviews span more than a decade of concerts at The Platform, Morecambe, and reflect exactly what our audiences tell us: that hearing a full-size orchestra live, by the sea, is something special. Since welcoming its first audiences in 2007, the orchestra has built a loyal following across Morecambe, Lancaster and the wider Bay area, and every season brings new listeners through the doors of The Platform, Morecambe’s historic seafront venue. Below is a growing collection of genuine, unedited reviews — from local reporters, touring critics and audience members alike — covering everything from film music evenings to Viennese New Year concerts.
Here’s the tidied review list — organised by year, standardised formatting, quotes cleaned up, and shortcodes converted to proper download links. Paste this straight into the block editor (each > line will become a Quote block, headings become Heading blocks):
2024
Ernest Tomlinson Centenary Celebration — 19 May 2024
Small wonder that the audience applauded after each movement, nor that the family of Ernest Tomlinson, and many others, leapt to their feet amid cheers and applause that greeted the work’s conclusion.
Download the full review (ODT)
Music from the Palm Court — 17 March 2024
Another packed audience gathered beneath the glass-panelled roof of The Platform, Morecambe for the PCO’s Palm Court concert, surrounded by palms and aspidistras and bathed in welcome sunshine! This is a venue to rival any of the old spas and watering places of England where this music was regularly played.
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New Year Viennese Concert — January 2024
The Promenade Concert Orchestra, under its energetic founder musical director, Howard Rogerson (and Leader, Julian Cann), is indefatigable. For two hours a stream of effortless tunefulness wafted us into a largely bygone era of swirling gowns and flying coat tails!
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2023
Music from the Films — 27 November 2023
On a day when the temperature at best could be described as brisk, what a delight it was to step into the warmth of the Platform in Morecambe and be so richly entertained by the Promenade Concert Orchestra and their inimitable conductor Howard Rogerson. The promise of a programme of well-known film music enticed a pleasingly large audience through the Platform’s doors, and it was great to see the venue so packed.
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English Light Music — May 2023
A pleasingly large audience at The Platform was treated to a highly entertaining journey through the very best of English Light Music by the Promenade Concert Orchestra of Morecambe and conductor Howard Rogerson. We were guided along this journey by the PCO’s President Brian Kay, who not only chose and presented the programme, but also conducted a number of the items.
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2022
Orb and Sceptre — May 2022
There cannot be many concert openers that grab the audience’s attention better than William Walton’s Orb & Sceptre, with its showy, intricate rhythms and stirring main theme. From the crisp fanfares of the augmented brass section to the warm, full string sound, it was clear that this was going to be a memorable concert.
Return of the Full Orchestra — April 2022
It was such a delight to hear pieces played in this concert by the PCO’s full orchestral forces after two years of frustration and disappointment, a testament to the hard work and persistence of Howard and his players. A real triumph over adversity if ever there was one!
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2019
Palm Court Concert — March 2019
In the middle of the first half was an absolutely gorgeous gem with “A Prayer at Eventide” (King, arr. Haydn Wood): a beautiful cantabile melody to touch the soul. Then, before the interval, we enjoyed Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s set of concert pieces “Three Dream Dances.” They are such exquisite, tuneful miniatures, beautifully orchestrated, lilting and romantic in style. What a treasured first half!
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2018
May 2018
Howard Rogerson had the far from easy role in this ambitious concert of keeping everybody together and achieving the right balance in terms of sound between singers and orchestra. This he achieved well for the most part, and the audience responded warmly to the rare feast of music on offer, including participating in the community singing at the end.
January 2018
The orchestra displayed once again its distinctive mix of disciplined, enthusiastic and lyrical music making, with some beautiful sectional and solo playing.
2017
April 2017
Some people think that “light music” is easy, whereas it is in fact extremely complex; there can be no passengers — any member of the orchestra may suddenly be in the spotlight. The Promenade Concert Orchestra have proved once again that they can rise to any challenge, and under Howard’s assured direction they gave us a delightful afternoon’s entertainment.
February 2017
After the ever-popular curtain raiser, the “Poet and Peasant” overture by Franz von Suppé — which featured a beautifully played ‘cello solo by Bob Buller — the first half was dominated by the music of Johann Strauss the Younger and Franz Lehár. Lehár’s magical lyricism was fully brought to life by Raphaela Papadakis in her fine rendition of three operatic arias, including the famous “Vilja” from The Merry Widow. As she introduced each item she established a warm rapport with the audience, who greatly appreciated her clear soprano voice and vivid characterisations.
2016
November 2016
The orchestra was led by Julian Cann who, along with all the section principals, had opportunities to shine during the course of the concert. As always, the orchestra under the watchful gaze of conductor Howard Rogerson played with great clarity, skill and enthusiasm — even essaying a rendition of Happy Birthday in an unusual key!
2015
January 2015
The orchestra, led by Julian Cann, displayed both lyricism and enthusiasm, and all sections fully played their part in fulfilling the requirements of the attractive scoring.
2014
March 2014
Howard Rogerson has long been a keen advocate of ensuring that the light music of charm and quality, once regularly played live all over the country, is not only preserved for posterity but is also given ample opportunity to be played for the enjoyment of present-day audiences.
2013
May 2013
As always is the case at these concerts, a friendly ambience pervades the venue, and the audience went home well satisfied with the high quality music making and looking forward to the PCO’s next performance.
2009
Lancaster Guardian — April 2009
We were treated to what I have hoped for since the orchestra’s debut: a solo from lead violinist Julian Cann, whose performance of Massenet’s “Méditation” would have graced the Classic FM chart.
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Whether you’re new to orchestral music or a lifelong concertgoer, these Promenade Concert Orchestra reviews show why so many people return to The Platform season after season. If you’d like to experience it for yourself, check the next-concert page for upcoming dates and tickets.