The People’s Orchestra is getting ready to turn West Bromwich Town Hall into a battlefield.

The orchestra’s musicians are currently rehearsing for their war-themed concert, to be held on Saturday, September 21, at 7pm. The concert is to feature a night of war-related film and stage music.

"The music is all set to include themes from Warhorse. Les Miserables, Saving Private Ryan and more", said Sarah Marshall, Orchestral Director.

She added: "I am happy to announce our guest speaker, John Peters, (RAF Pilot and Prisoner of War during the Gulf War) who will be at the concert to tell everyone first-hand about his experience during the Gulf War."

John Peters’ battered face occupied the newspaper covers and television news around the globe when he was captured by Saddam’s Hussein regime during the 1991 Gulf conflict.

The physical and psychological torture he suffered lasted seven weeks but that experience gave him the inspiration and motivation to influence others across the world. In his own words, "You will always make mistakes, you are human, but you realise that your power rests in the speed at which you learn."

The People’s Orchestra is a registered charity and was set up with the aim to provide school leavers with an opportunity to continue playing their instrument after having it taken off them after leaving school. When the orchestra launched, there was also a wide uptake from players who had sadly given up playing their instruments because of a lack of opportunity.

This will be The People’s Orchestra’s sixth concert after performances at BBC Radio WM’s Christmas Concert at Symphony Hall, The Hobbit premiere at the Millennium Point and their Sporting Classics concert at The Public.

Tickets for The People’s Orchestra’s War concert at West Bromwich Town Hall are priced £10 for adults, £7 concessions and £5 for children.

They can be purchased on the website www.thepeoplesorchestra.com or by calling 0121 533 7160.           

The People's Orchestra with Chris Rawley
The People's Orchestra with Chris Rawley