Fantasia Orchestra plays American music Proms at St Jude's

Fantasia Orchestra - whose average age is 25 - celebrate American composers with the overture to Bernstein's masterpiece West Side Story, and Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, 100 years after it first blazed a trail in a New York concert hall.

Formed by Kilburn-raised Tom Fetherstonhaugh when he was still at school, this dynamic young orchestra got one of its first breaks at Proms six years ago.

This summer they will not only play the Hampstead Garden Suburb festival, but their first BBC Prom at the Royal Albert Hall.

"I formed the orchestra eight years ago and it's our sixth year at Proms which holds a very special place for us," he says.

"It is run by a wonderful team of volunteers who put on a fantastic array of music, in the beautiful setting of the Suburb. The atmosphere is always electric, the weather often warm, and it makes a perfect evening.

"This year we have a great slot on the first night, and it's a powerful way of launching the festival."

Tom says the Bernstein is a "fantastic way of setting the scene" for a night of American music that also includes Gershwin's An American in Paris, Charles Ives' Three Places in New England, and Adoration for Strings by African-American composer Florence Price.

"I am excited about this programme," he adds.

"This heated confrontation in New York followed by Rhapsody in Blue (featuring pianist Martin James Bartlett) which has everything that you want from a piece with solo piano, melody, groove - big sweeping expanses, and quiet intimate moments that draw in the listener. For such an important piece it feels so timeless."

Named after the first piece they played - Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis - the orchestra has performed with Alim Beisembayev, Thomas Gould, Isata and Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Vadym Kholodenko, Jennifer Pike, Laura van der Heijden, Jess Gillam and Steven Osborne.

"Our mission is very simple. it's about bringing people together through music communicating, and collaborating with lots of wonderful artists.

"It really feels we are on an exciting path now and the Proms at St Jude's served in making that journey possible, providing us with opportunities and linking us up with wonderful soloists."

Fantasia Orchestra during a previous performance at Proms at St Jude's (Image: Michael Elftheriades)

Tom attended the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in Holland Park before studying music at Oxford University and conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in Marylebone.

"I have an appreciation for how much of an impact that state school music education had on my life," he says.

And education is a key part of the orchestra's ethos. On June 27, also at St Jude's Church, they will be a key part of the Schools’ Prom, featuring almost 400 children from 10 local schools.

Based around John Ashton Thomas’ Chocolate, it's part of Proms' long-standing work with local schools.

"As a new generation of orchestral performers we know very well that Proms is a champion of young musicians, and we’re delighted to be involved with the festival’s work in education," said Tom.

"The schools prom is a fantastic way of bringing together hundreds of children, giving them the opportunity to play with professional musicians, and have an enriching experience.

"It's an important focus of the festival investing in the next generation of musicians."

Fantasia make their debut at BBC Proms with long-time Fantasia collaborators, Sheku and Braimah Kanneh-Mason and Plínio Fernandes, on Sunday 4 August and Monday 5 August at 11.15am.

Fantasia will also debut at the Northern Aldborough Festival  on Thursday 13 June with pianist Alim Beisembayev, and play the Guiting Festival on 26 July and Ryedale Festival on 27 July.

Fantasia Orchestra performs at The Proms at St Jude's Church, Hampstead Garden Suburb on Saturday 22 June at 7.30pm.