In need of a dose of Vitamin D? For July’s edition of UO Playback, we invite you to prom with us once more for the sunniest of concerts.

This month’s Summer Proms programme perfectly captures the spirit of the season, popping with reds, oranges, and a bright sun motif.

In 1971, a series of Summer Proms saw the orchestra perform in Belfast, Portadown, Coleraine, Dunadry, Carrickfergus, Larne, Bangor and Newcastle throughout June, July and August. The Summer Proms were both experimental and intimate, offering music ‘in the round’ with the orchestra seated at the centre.

Perhaps somewhat fittingly, on 11th June, audiences valiantly battled through one of Belfast’s customary downpours to see celebrated English soprano Sheila Armstrong join the orchestra in the relaxed setting of the Members’ Rooms at Balmoral. They were treated to an exceptionally estival evening’s entertainment, which featured Frank Bridge’s Summer, Berlioz’s Nuits d’été, Kodály’s Summer evening, Delius’ Summer night on the river and the Scherzo, Nocturne and Overture from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The orchestra was led by Meyer Stolow (pictured below), and conducted by Terence Lovett.

If all that talk of summer (or rain!) has you dreaming of distant shores, allow us to whisk you away a little closer to home. Join us for our BBC Prom on Friday 8 August as we celebrate 100 years of the Shipping Forecast. Tickets are available here: BBC Proms: Shipping Forecast | 08 August 2025 | Ulster Hall.

Unless otherwise stated, the text and images in this post are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International

Image credits: Ulster Orchestra Archive