The Proms are an annual series of concerts held in England during the summer that last for eight weeks. The Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington, London, hosts the majority of The Proms, with 70 concerts taking place over the course of the festival, but events take place all over England in a variety of venues. The Proms, which were originally intended to showcase orchestral music, have since expanded to include world music, jazz, rock, opera, and a variety of other musical styles.
Since 1895, this well-known British concert series has been held. The Proms’ original goal was to make classical music more accessible to the general public by making tickets affordable and the venue easily accessible. The Proms, conducted by Henry Joseph Wood, debuted to great acclaim, with a venue designed specifically for guests to promenade during the concerts, often socializing, eating, and drinking while the music was played. A bronze bust of Henry Wood sits in front of the conductor’s podium during The Proms as a mark of respect for his accomplishments. Henry Wood is often credited with shaping the modern proms, and a bronze bust of him sits in front of the conductor’s podium during The Proms as a mark of respect for his accomplishments.
The BBC Proms, or the Henry Wood Promenade Concerts, are the official names for The Proms. The Proms are frequently broadcast on BBC stations, particularly on the final night, when the Last Night concert features a mix of patriotic music and British orchestral classics.
The Proms have survived two World Wars, shifting musical values, and social upheaval in the United Kingdom. While the focus remains on bringing orchestral music to the British people, the expansion into other musical genres has been met with great enthusiasm in the musical community, and The Proms also hosts events for children and families to encourage young people to take up music. The Proms feature performances by young musicians as well as premieres of new musical works, many of which are commissioned by the BBC specifically for The Proms.
While many concertgoers at today’s Proms remain seated, the promenading tradition lives on in the form of “promming,” or standing directly in front of the stage. Promising tickets are usually available for a low price on the day of the event, though season tickets can also be purchased. A Grand Slam, which entails attending every single Proms concert throughout the season, is sometimes a lifelong ambition for concertgoers.