GROUPS often ask musicians to bring along their instruments to auditions - but Ipswich group Trianon really cleaned up when it looked for stars for its latest work.

GROUPS often ask musicians to bring along their instruments to auditions - but Ipswich group Trianon really cleaned up when it looked for stars for its latest work.

They didn't want extra violins or clarinets - but a complete section of vacuum cleaners and floor polishers!

The unusual section is needed for part of Malcolm Arnold's “A Grand, Grand Overture” which is being performed as part of Trianon Music Group's 50th Birthday Extravaganza.

Written in 1956 for the Hoffnung Festival at London's Festival Hall, this is known as one of music's most celebrated practical jokes and one which will certainly be revived during Trianon's performance.

This concert promises a few surprises as well as a feast of exciting and sparkling music, including Leroy Anderson's 'Classical Juke Box', and Vaughan Williams' 'Serenade to Music', plus all 'The Last Night of the Proms' favourites.

Pauline Smith from Trianon said it was a tough job to select the cleaners to be used.

“We had seven vacuum cleaners and two floor polishers that were being put through their paces.

“They were checked for manoeuvrability, depth of tone, responsiveness/length of sound after turning on/off -by Prof Chris Green, Trianon's Conductor and Artistic Director.”

The work needs three vacuum cleaners and a French polisher - and is just the latest unusual piece to be performed by the group with was founded in 1959.

Prof Green said one of the problems they had was polishers have got much quieter since the piece was written.

“We are now going to have to amplify that - that was not the case last time we did this many years ago,” he said.

The concert will also be coming right up to date with the world premiere of 'All Our Voices' by the celebrated composer for concert hall, film and television, Debbie Wiseman and lyricist Don Black - who has provided the words for many Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals.

Before the concert, members of the audience will have the opportunity to enjoy a 'Meet the Composer' event, during which Ms Wiseman will be interviewed about her work.

Panel:

Trianon's 50th Birthday Extravaganza - The Concert

(Sponsored by Call Connection Ltd)

Venue: Ipswich Corn Exchange

Date: Saturday 12 September 2009

Meet the Composer Event - 6.15pm; Concert - 7.30pm

Tickets available from Ipswich Entertainments Box Office 01473 433100

On on-line at www.ipswichcornexchange.com

Further details available at www.tmg.org.uk

Did you know:

Vacuum cleaners are not the only domestic appliance to appear in classical music. One of the best-known popular works is The Typewriter by Leroy Anderson, written in 1950. Everyone has heard that!

The 1812 Overture features canons and church bells.

Mozart's Musical Box has a real musical box in it.