‘UK Community Orchestra to crowd-fund for a World Premiere’. A Kickstarter to fund a new composition by EMMY award-winning film composer, John Altman, was launched this week.

John Altman is a bona-fide legend in the music and film industry. As a composer, arranger and musician he has worked with Chet Baker, Jimi Hendrix, Rod Stewart, Amy Winehouse and many more. His film and television credits include RKO281, The Reagans, Titanic, GoldenEye, & Monty Python’s The Life of Brian.

Even as a child, Altman’s family were famous bandleaders, working with luminaries like Frank Sinatra, Laurel and Hardy, Judy Garland, so his musical connection goes back a generation. No wonder he became a star.

Collaborating on a world premiere with a Hollywood composer shows just how far a humble community, amateur, orchestra has come from having only a handful of players in September 2012.

The People’s Orchestra is a classic underdog. Formed two years ago, using volunteers and community, its inspiration was simply to help others discover music. Now, The People’s Orchestra is an exciting discovery in its own right, connecting ordinary people to music and innovation.

Performances conjure up hybrid creations of sports and film music, even horror night specials, to get families involved and intrigued. From Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, to James Bond movies and The Snowman – The People’s Orchestra always have fun.

Andy Sinclair, co-founder of The People’s Orchestra, is amazed at its remarkable evolution.

“Our incredible journey from local concerts to Hollywood star collaborations is a massive leap – and it’s all thanks to Facebook…”

“John Altman connected with us on Facebook and he fell in love with the concept. That’s why he’s here. To have an award-winning star who has worked with so many musical greats is a dream come true.

“It shows the power of social media to connect people with ambitious ideas, truly amazing.

“The People’s Orchestra is like ‘Rocky’ Balboa for amateur orchestras, a champion of music for everyday people. It punches well above its weight and has the power to fascinate people”.

Andy Sinclair said, “We play music for the MTV / You Tube generation, weaving together games and film music in a fun community setting. It opens up new horizons for young people and families about musical instruments and how they work in an orchestra. It’s a fun discovery. People tell us that music is like riding a bike in your childhood, when people rediscover it as they get older, they love it”

For details or to arrange an interview, call Andy Sinclair on + 44 07803 201 609

Notes for Editors

John Altman is available for 1-2-1 interviews (* a great raconteur guaranteed to give you great stories).

Fact sheet

John Altman

John Altman is an Emmy-award-winning arranger, composer, producer, also a musician and accomplished jazz player (saxophone)

Altman’s contribution to British and international film music was recognised by a lifetime achievement award of the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters, and Lifetime Achievement Award (2011) at the Monaco Film Festival

John’s uncles were famous bandleaders (Woolf and Sid Phillips) who arranged and composed music for big bands and conducted for Judy Garland, Marx Brothers, Laurel and Hardy.

Altman commutes between his L.A. And London homes
John Altman is also a brilliant raconteur able to make interviews and press features come alive *

The People’s Orchestra

The People’s Orchestra plays primarily film music. It has over 65 musicians on its books, aged between 15 years old and 71 (all ages welcomed)

TPO welcomes amateur players of Grade 7 standard or above. To get involved, phone (The People’s Orchestra) on 0121 569 2616, or www.facebook.com or email at – music@thepeoplesorchestra.com

Every TPO performance is unique due to the constant changes of musical instruments and different number of players creating a different experience – always! The People’s Orchestra is a registered charity run primarily by a team of volunteers.

In September 2012, The People’s Orchestra had only a handful of players, now The People’s Orchestra shares the stage with great musical talent at ‘The Pride of Birmingham Awards’.