About the Basel Proms
Inspired by the legendary music festival at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Basel Proms is a rousing gala evening that brings together Swiss, UK and international artists in a grand celebration of music, arts and culture. The event features the Basel Festival Orchestra, the Basel Proms Chorus and international and Basel-based soloists.
The Basel Festival Orchestra was founded in 1997 and is made up of Basel-based musicians with backgrounds from all over the world.
The orchestra and chorus are led by our Principal Conductor, David Lawrence, one of the UK’s most versatile conductors, working with orchestras, symphony choruses and national youth choirs. Nominated for a Gramophone Award for his conducting, David was recently awarded a prestigious award by the Royal Academy of Music, and holds the Guinness World Record for conducting the UK’s largest choir.
At the heart of our concerts is the Basel Proms Chorus, composed of singers from Basel and neighboring countries, creating a vibrant and diverse choir of up to 130 members. Participants experience the rich British choral tradition through intensive workshops, enhancing their vocal and musical skills under David Lawrence and Basel-based Maija Gschwind‘s expert guidance.
Basel Proms Motto
Our motto is simple: Classical music should be accessible to all.
Classical music has progressively transformed into an exclusive and somewhat inaccessible experience, a shift attributed not solely to exorbitant ticket prices but also to the daunting and overly intellectual nature of programming and performances.
The Basel Proms is a direct response to this trend, breaking the rules, and changing the perception of classical concerts as dull, boring and only for the older generation.
The Basel Proms brings the highest quality music making to the broadest possible audience in an exhilarating way.
Our programmes strike a balance between accessibility and a high level of artistic integrity. Every concert is a joyous celebration designed to captivate and inspire the audience, actively involving them in the experience through participatory elements, including sing-alongs. Our chorus is a testament to our community engagement and commitment to cultural exchange. Our choir members come from all walks of life, all ages, and all abilities. We accept everyone who wants to sing, and the result is truly exceptional.
The Basel Proms is a direct response to this trend, breaking the rules, and changing the perception of classical concerts as dull, boring and only for the older generation.