This Christmas, let The Fulltone Orchestra transport you to a world of festive enchantment with an unforgettable evening at the iconic Central Hall Westminster on Saturday, 21st December 2024, at 7:30 pm.
Joined by world-renowned guests Emmet Cahill (making his UK debut) and Classical Brit nominee Camilla Kerslake, this spectacular concert promises a heart warming program of Christmas classics and symphonic masterpieces. From The Polar Express to Love Actually, O Holy Night to Danny Boy, and even a magical medley from The Sound of Music, the evening will deliver timeless music for all generations. Adding to the magic, the Cantiamo Choir will lend their powerful voices to beloved favourites like Carol of the Bells, and the iconic voice of Stephen Fry will narrate, weaving a recorded charm into the festive melodies.
This special evening is not just about music, it’s about making a difference. With funds raised in support of Mind, the UK’s leading mental health charity, your attendance will help bring hope to those facing mental health challenges this holiday season.
Ahead of the concert we caught up with the Fulltone Orchestra founders Anthony and Jemma Brown to learn more
What can audiences expect from this performance?
Jemma: Audiences can expect a magical evening full of incredible music and festive tunes – from a massive orchestra who put their heart and soul into everything they do! We’re bringing together some of the best-loved Christmas classics, stunning orchestral arrangements, and powerful performances from some truly amazing talent. It’ll be a mix of heartwarming Christmas numbers and those big, goosebump-inducing moments that will leave you covered in bumps! It’s going to be a night to remember, that’s for sure!
Anthony: And you’ll get to hear the quite amazing voices of Emmet Cahill, his first ever time in the UK, and Camilla Kerslake – both of them are out of this world and I can’t wait to hear them with the orchestra!
Jemma: Audiences can expect a magical evening full of incredible music and festive tunes – from a massive orchestra who put their heart and soul into everything they do! We’re bringing together some of the best-loved Christmas classics, stunning orchestral arrangements, and powerful performances from some truly amazing talent. It’ll be a mix of heartwarming Christmas numbers and those big, goosebump-inducing moments that will leave you covered in bumps! It’s going to be a night to remember, that’s for sure!
Anthony: And you’ll get to hear the quite amazing voices of Emmet Cahill, his first ever time in the UK, and Camilla Kerslake – both of them are out of this world and I can’t wait to hear them with the orchestra!
Jemma: And the choir your wife is in too, don’t forget!
Anthony: Haha! Yes and them too!
When did you decide to set up The Fulltone Orchestra?
Anthony: When I started The Fulltone Orchestra back in 2017, my vision was simple: to create music that transcends boundaries and brings people together. From classical masterpieces to musical theatre hits, opera works, and even 80s favourites, we’ve always prided ourselves on delivering unforgettable musical experiences. Great music, with great people in great places!
How do you approach selecting which songs to feature in a concert like this?
Anthony: Start with the middle and end songs, then build from there. I wanted to make sure we had something different from your average carol concert – which this absolutely is not. When you have the magnitude of a full symphony orchestra in front of you, you want to choose the pieces that take your audience on a great big journey with you. So working with songs Camilla and Emmet suggested, we’ve come to a programme of music that really will be enthralling – exciting! It’s packed full of Christmas, musical theatre, a smidge of opera (don’t be scared, it’s jaw dropping!).
You’re working with the narration of Stephen Fry with Camilla Kerslake and Emmet Cahill as guests. How do you select those who will join the orchestra?
Jemma: I have always been a massive fan of Stephen Fry and in particular the work he does to highlight the work of the charity we’ve chosen to fundraise for at the event – Mind. I lost my parents when I was 9 and 14 and Mind were a huge part of my life as a late teenager in supporting me. So I approached Stephen to see if we could borrow his voice to say a bit about the charity on the night, but also to introduce various things and luckily for us, he said yes! What a treat! Emmet is massive in America and has wanted to come to the UK for a while, how lucky are we that he approached us and said he’d love to work with us?! And Camilla we’ve admired for a long time – she was the perfect voice to join us. It’s important we work with likeminded people (Kerry Ellis was a pure example of this, as was Ricardo Afonso – we just want to make great music and so did they!), because if we’re having a good time, so will our audiences.
What are your favourite festive tunes?
Anthony: Sleigh Ride! Which we’re doing in the concert – wait till you hear it from a full orchestra up close! And I love The Darkness, Don’t Let The Bells End!
Jemma: Driving Home for Christmas and I’m particularly partial to White Christmas. I love it!
What are your favourite Christmas traditions?
Anthony: Midnight Mass and pigs in blankets!
Jemma: Christmas concerts! They’re such an amazing opportunity to celebrate what it’s all about – friendship, music, fun, music!!
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| Central Hall, Westminster will host the concert |
Where did your arts career begin?
We’ve both been involved in music all our lives. I (Jemma) comes from a very musical family and have been subjected to all sorts of genres of music. Working in music was just a no brainer for me. Anthony became a conductor in 2017, but was a boy chorister and a diploma level flute player. Music keeps your head above water….!
How do you reflect on your career to date?
Anthony: We have been really lucky to work with some amazing people – Carly Paoli was a real highlight (such a wonderful human being!), as was Aled Jones. It’s been an incredible journey filled with challenges, growth, and so many rewarding moments. I’ve had the privilege of working with amazing people, creating unforgettable music, and sharing it with audiences. Each experience, whether it’s founding The Fulltone Orchestra, performing in iconic venues, or collaborating with extraordinary talent, has shaped me both professionally and personally.
There’s always more to learn and achieve, and that’s what keeps it so exciting. Looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come, but I’m equally excited about what lies ahead. Music has always been my passion, and I feel fortunate every day to live that dream and share it with others.
What keeps you inspired?
Anthony: much of what I said above really. But in the main; the people I get to work with. The people in the orchestra are amazing, there’s no two ways about it. And the audience – the music we produce and knowing that a single performance can move someone, spark a memory, or bring joy is deeply motivating.
Jemma: The love of large-scale music. When we perform, people cannot get to us quick enough to tell us how much the loved it. That keeps me well and truly inspired! And actually, I don’t say it enough – Anthony and his passion/crazy ideas keeps me inspired. Hats off to him, big time.
If you could invite 3 people around for Christmas dinner, who would you invite and why?
Jemma: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders and Stephen Fry. For the wit and the intellectual insight and absolutely, for the hoot!
Anthony: Aled Jones for his jokes, Alistair Campbell because I love his podcast with Rory Stewart and Sandi Toksvig because she’s just one of the nicest people ever (did you see the vid of her hugging people hello on QI?!)
What do you hope an audience takes away from the concert?
Jemma: I hope the audience leaves the concert feeling uplifted, inspired and filled with the magic of music. I want them to experience the pure joy that comes from hearing live orchestral music performed with passion and heart. Whether it’s a sense of nostalgia from a familiar piece (and there are so many!), excitement from a powerful moment, or simply the warmth of the festive season, our goal is to create an evening they’ll always remember. Most importantly, I hope they walk away with a renewed appreciation for the power of music to connect us all – society needs it, I need it!
Anthony: That’ll do….!
Jemma: I hope the audience leaves the concert feeling uplifted, inspired and filled with the magic of music. I want them to experience the pure joy that comes from hearing live orchestral music performed with passion and heart. Whether it’s a sense of nostalgia from a familiar piece (and there are so many!), excitement from a powerful moment, or simply the warmth of the festive season, our goal is to create an evening they’ll always remember. Most importantly, I hope they walk away with a renewed appreciation for the power of music to connect us all – society needs it, I need it!
Anthony: That’ll do….!
The Fulltone Orchestra’s Christmas concert will take place on Saturday 21st December at 7.30pm at London’s Westminster Hall. Tickets are available from https://fto.org.uk/event/christmas-concert-london/
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| Anthony Brown conducting. |
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