Sussex musicians rally to the aid of cancer charity

Sussex musicians rally to the aid of cancer charity

The acute crisis in cancer care caused by Covid has left the main charity supporting cancer victims and their families in urgent need of additional funding. Sussex musicians have rallied to the cause and decided to do something about it.


On Sunday July 10 Sussex Symphony Orchestra and distinguished soloists will stage a charity gala concert at Brighton Dome entitled A Celebration of Tchaikovsky and will donate all the profits to Macmillan Cancer Support.

The concert will relate the composer’s extraordinary and fascinating life story, with the role of Tchaikovsky played by film and TV actor Jamie Martin and BBC TV South Today presenter Sally Taylor as interlocutor.

And interlacing the dialogue, distinguished soloists and Sussex Symphony Orchestra, led by its founder and musical director Mark Andrew James, will perform a selection of Tchaikovsky’s most glorious compositions, including excerpts from Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Eugene Onegin, Piano Concerto No 1, Overture Romeo and Juliet, Violin Concerto and all six symphonies.

Sussex Symphony Orchestra is composed of professional musicians and gifted amateurs who live or work in Sussex. Its leader is Sophia Bartlette, who lives in Rottingdean and is head of strings in Roedean School’s music department.

The Macmillan Horizon Centre in Brighton offers support for local people facing the toughest fight of their lives. Its services include information advice and quality resources, welfare benefits advice, complementary therapies and physical activity services, hair and skincare advice, practical support and workshops to build skills and confidence to eat well and feel better, and a cafe and a space for self-help and support groups to meet.

The concert is at Brighton Dome at 3pm on Sunday July 10. Tickets, priced from £10 to £32.50, are on sale at the Dome Box Office, by phone on 01273 709709 or online at brightondome.org.