Fundraising Concert of Favourite Music returns to Kent

Tickets are now on sale for the ‘Concert of Favourite Music’ which will be performed in aid of the hospice on Saturday 26 April 2025 at the Invicta Grammar School in Maidstone between 6 and 8pm.

This popular annual event, which first began in 2015, is a wonderful evening of uplifting and captivating music with solo pianists Simon Proctor, Oliver Poole and the Heart of Kent Orchestra who will be performing a spellbinding collection of classical masterpieces and modern favourites. The orchestra will be conducted by Derek Carden.  There will also be performances by the Invicta Grammar School Chamber Choir and the Numama Choir.

Treat yourself to an evening of timeless classics which will include:

• Hollywood Piano Concerto
• Broadway Piano Concerto
• Fanfare For The Common Man
• The Blue Danube
• Harry Potter
• Pathetique Sonata
• Viva la Vida
• The Rhythm of Life
• Nella Fantasia
• I Will Survive

This unforgettable night of music features Simon Proctor, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music who has won prizes for composition, piano and orchestration, including the Eric Coates Prize – their top award for orchestral composition. His music has been performed around the world by many eminent artists and orchestras including The Boston Pops Orchestra conducted by Film Composer John Williams.  His music has also been broadcast on Classic FM, BBC Radio 3 and television.

Simon said: “The idea for the original Concert of Favourite Music was to present an entertaining evening of popular orchestral music, including some of my own piano concertos, to raise funds for a very worthy local cause. Each concert takes a whole year to plan but is worth all the effort to see so many happy smiling faces and to know we have helped the Hospice a little bit in their amazing work. I would like to thank all the musicians who have taken part, all the teams from the Hospice for making everything run smoothly and the audiences for supporting us over the last 10 years. I look forward to continuing for another 10 years and beyond!”

Oliver Poole has performed both solo and with orchestras at venues and festivals around the world and has been described as having an electrifying stage presence as well as charisma, and a talent for communication and improvisation that makes him a unique performer.

Oliver said: “It is wonderful to be performing at this exciting and unique event to raise funds for such an important cause. The concert is fun for everyone taking part, and we are looking forward to playing some special pieces, making the evening an experience that can make a real difference!”

There are a limited number of tickets available for this special concert, so don’t delay in purchasing tickets which are just £15 for adults and £5 for children. Group bookings of 10 or more can receive a 20% discount. Everyone attending can also purchase refreshments at the interval and take part in the exciting raffle to raise additional funds for the Hospice. There is accessible parking on site.

The money raised from the concert will go towards the £6.6 million needed for Heart of Kent Hospice to provide free care and support each and every year.  This local Kent charity is independent of the NHS and relies on the generosity of the local community and legacies to continue to provide its services to terminally ill people and their loved ones.