Bid goodbye to 2014 in style

The elements theme, which last year saw focused on fire, continues this year with a programme inspired by water - a favourite subject of art, poetry and music which has brought out the greatest from painters, writers and composers down the ages.

Following his triumphant return last year, Nicholas Kok is back to conduct a sparkling water-themed celebration of some of the finest and most well-loved classical music ever written, collected from the cinema, the stage and the concert hall.

And the orchestra is joined by award-winning and baritone Damian Thantrey, who was born in Burton and won a scholarship to Repton School when he was 13.

The programme includes the swinging, hit-laden fun of Porter’s Overture from Anything Goes, elegant serenity of The Blue Danube Waltz and the wistful Night in Venice Overture by Johann Strauss II, Tchaikovsky’s vibrant and infectious Waltz from Swan Lake and Mendelssohn’s dramatic Hebrides Overture.

The nautical mood continues with locally-born light music composer Ronald Binge’s Sailing By, the classic song from the musical Singing in the Rain, and the opportunity to forget about the weather and head off to warmer climes with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s dreamy and unforgettable Some Enchanted Evening from their classic musical South Pacific.

And for a finale, there’s the stirringly patriotic jollity of Henry Wood’s Fantasia on British Sea Songs – a proms favourite which is sure to get the audience on their feet.

The concert on Wednesday, December 31 starts at 6pm again this year, finishing at 8.15pm to give the audience more time to continue their celebrations.

Nicholas Kok introduces each piece and is fondly known by regular concert goers as ‘Mr New Year’s Eve’.

He said: “We have put together an evening that we think is a perfect blend of much loved classics providing a programme which really can be described as music for everyone.

“The earlier time proved to be a winner with last year’s audience and the combination of lyrical melodies and rousing renditions is sure to put everyone in the celebration mood on this very special night of the year.”

Tickets have been kept at last year’s prices, starting from £15 and the popular Premium Seats are again available which includes a free programme available on the night.

Tickets are on sale from the Royal Centre Box Office on 0115 989 5555 or online at www.trch.co.uk