ONE of Britain’s greatest classical singers, Aled Jones, will be performing live at a fantastic outdoor music concert in Bristol this summer.

This week the Songs of Praise presenter, who shot to fame as a boy soprano, confirmed that he will be appearing at the Prom on the Close concert in July 2004.

Aled, whose albums have already sold well in excess of six million copies, said he was proud to have been asked to perform at the event, the third Prom to be held in the grounds of Clifton College in Clifton and the biggest and best concert of its kind in the region.

The Prom on the Close 2004 takes place on Saturday, July 3, 2004, and will feature music from the West of England Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Peter Stark.

The event will be compered by popular TV presenter and pundit Chris Serle, a Clifton College Old Boy.

More than 8,000 people are expected to attend next year’s Prom, which will include traditional rousing, crowd-pleasers such as Land of Hope and Glory, as well as classical favourites and some contemporary music.

It is open to everyone, and there will be special play facilities for younger children as well as an area for corporate entertaining.

Families are invited to bring their own picnics, and to watch the concert and listen to the music in a relaxed environment. The evening’s entertainment will be rounded off with a fantastic firework display.

Julian Telling, Chairman of the event which is being run by Clifton College Services, said: “The Prom on the Close is a unique, family-oriented event, bringing some of the best-known and best-loved classical music right into the heart of Bristol.

“After the 2003 concert, we were overwhelmed by the positive response. We’ve already had scores of enquiries from people wanting to know the date of next year’s event so they can book their holidays around it.”

The Prom on the Close will be supporting the GWR-run charity Bristol Kidz and is sponsored by Bristol-based Midas Construction.

For more information, email: info@promontheclose.com or call the Prom hotline on: 0870 7740577.

A Spitfire which put up a heroic performance in the Battle of Britain is to make a special appearance at the 2004 Prom on the Close concert.

The Spitfire will be followed by a second British classic of World War Two, a Hurricane.

Both planes are veterans of the most important event in Royal Air Force history, the air Battle fought over Britain between the 10th July and 31st October 1940 which is widely regarded as the turning point in the War.

Visitors to the Prom, which takes place on Saturday, July 3 in the grounds of Clifton College, Clifton, will enjoy a spectacular view of the two aeroplanes as they swoop through the air directly above the school.

What’s more, the planes’ fly past will be timed to coincide with the first rousing music played by the West of England Philharmonic Orchestra – Goodwin’s 633 Squadron.

Julian Telling, chairman of the Prom on the Close, said: “Having the planes fly past at the start of the concert is going to create a spine-tingling atmosphere – I can’t think of a more exciting way to launch the biggest musical event of its kind in the West!

“This is going to be the biggest and best Prom so far, everything is gearing up for a truly spectacular evening of music, song, fun and fireworks.”

Classical singer and Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones is headlining the 2004 Prom and the event is being compered by Clifton College old boy and TV presenter Chris Searle. The 2004 Prom is supporting GWR charity Bristol Kidz.

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