Throughout October, following the main evening concert from the UK's top professional orchestras, Performance On 3 features some of the hundreds of amateur orchestras regularly performing throughout the UK.

BBC Radio 3 has teamed up with Making Music to find four of the UK's best amateur orchestras to perform as part of Play To The Nation. The line-up features the Dundee Symphony Orchestra performing Beethoven; the Kensington Chamber Orchestra performing Bruch; the Slaithwaite Philharmonic with music from their Summer Proms; and Birmingham Symphonic Winds with Rodrigo.

Play To The Nation aims to show off the vibrant, diverse and often excellent activity of amateur orchestras around the UK. Building on the ambitious Listen Up! festivals from 2004 and 2006, which also celebrated the enormous part they play in British cultural life, amateur orchestras have been invited to send in recordings of their performances.

During October, there is also the chance to hear highlights of five Pianothons (eight hour-long piano marathons), in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow, London and Manchester – which aim to bring together amateur pianists of all ages and abilities.

Presenter/Martin Handley, Producer/Kevin Bee
BBC Radio 3 Publicity