Proms In Your Garden: NI country star Lisa McHugh takes part in reworked event

Proms In The Park had become something of a fixture at Titanic Slipways but this year music lovers will have to settle for John Toal’s back garden.
By Graeme Cousins
Published 7th Sep 2020, 20:00 BST
Country star Lisa McHugh recorded a song with the Ulster Orchestra at Mount Stewart for Proms In Your GardenCountry star Lisa McHugh recorded a song with the Ulster Orchestra at Mount Stewart for Proms In Your Garden
Country star Lisa McHugh recorded a song with the Ulster Orchestra at Mount Stewart for Proms In Your Garden

The event which takes place on Saturday has been retitled as Proms In Your Garden and listeners can tune into Radio Ulster or join John at his house by watching online at bbc.co.uk/nilive from 6.30pm.

In a change brought about due to current restrictions on large gatherings the BBC presenter will be broadcasting from his home in Co Down with an eclectic line-up of some of Northern Ireland’s most popular and well known musical names, as well as some favourite Proms moments from the Ulster Orchestra and soloists.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

John said: “We’ve done the Christmas John Toal Show from our house and garden for the last few years now, so I suppose I’ll just have to cut the grass again.

John Toal will host Proms In The Garden from his Co Down homeJohn Toal will host Proms In The Garden from his Co Down home
John Toal will host Proms In The Garden from his Co Down home

“The cows and sheep in the back field are well used to it, and as long as there’s some Moo-zart or Baaaach for them, they’ll be happy. Get your hampers ready, fire some food on the barbecue and join me for Proms In Your Garden.”

Joining John live in his garden will be singer/songwriter Gavin James performing alongside a string quartet made up of members of the Ulster Orchestra, while actress Kerri Quinn will be singing some songs with accompanist Matthew Reeve on piano.

Singer/songwriter Ria Maguire will also be there performing a song selected as part of the Ulster Orchestra’s ‘Your Song Now’ project.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

During the programme there will be some special pre-recorded performances recorded at locations across NI including country star Lisa McHugh and a string quartet from the Ulster Orchestra in a wildflower meadow at National Trust property Mount Stewart.

Christopher Blake, principal oboe with the Ulster Orchestra, and harpist Tanya Houghton were also recorded at Mount Stewart.

Other pre-recorded segments include pianist Barry Douglas, jazz singer Katherine Timoney, and tenor George Hutton performing at a care home with a brass quintet from the Ulster Orchestra.

Up in the North West, Ryan Vail and the Elma Orkestra with Prima Quartet were recorded outside Altnagelvin Hospital.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

At 8pm, John hands over to BBC Radio 3 for the Last Night Of The Proms from the Royal Albert Hall, which will also be live on BBC One.

Directly after the Proms TV coverage concludes, the party continues in John’s garden from 9.45pm where guests will provide more music.

Throughout the week in the build up to Proms In Your Garden, BBC Radio Ulster programmes will have special guests and performances as well as some tips on how to get ready for the celebrations.

Related topics:Proms