CBSO 2025/26: The CBSO & The Orchestral Qawwali Project
Unfortunately this event has been cancelled due to one of the artists' recovery following surgery. All ticketholders have been emailed with further information by our Box Office team.
Artists
Melvin Tay Conductor
Rushil Ranjan Composer/Arranger/Piano
Abi Sampa Lead Vocalist
Orchestral Qawwali Project
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
Overview
This glorious blend of Sufi poetry, Indian Classical dance and symphony orchestra returns to Birmingham.
Written and directed by critically acclaimed composer Rushil Ranjan, the Orchestral Qawwali Project features the soaring vocals of Abi Sampa in effortless combination with rich orchestral arrangements performed by the CBSO. All of these elements come together to encapsulate qawwali's original intention - to lead the listener to spiritual rapture. The Project returns to Symphony Hall with new compositions and arrangements, conductor Melvin Tay.
Booking info
Save on tickets with the CBSO’s multibuy discounts, group bookings & concessionary prices (on eligible concerts) starting from £5: See Ways to Save below.
This event is included in the multibuy discount.
Free (limited) ticket for Disabled Visitor’s Carers, as per Access Scheme.
Pre-order your concert programme
Pre-order your concert programme and it'll be available for you to collect on the day of the concert. Please show your voucher at the programme desk before heading into the performance. You will be prompted to add to your basket during the checkout process.
As part of our ongoing commitment to becoming more sustainable, we encourage audiences to read the digital programme online instead of buying a printed programme. Digital programmes are made available online at least 24 hours before the concert at cbso.co.uk/programmes. Please note a limited number of printed programmes will be available to purchase from the programmes desk. Customers are encouraged to pre-order a programme to guarantee a copy.
Ticket Commission
Events may carry a £1 - £5 ticket commission; charged per ticket. This is charged when you book through B:Music’s Box Office – online, by phone or in person. This fee is included in all the prices advertised by B:Music
Wheelchair Users and Disabled Patrons
A range of tickets, wheelchair positions and services are available under our Access Scheme.
Access info
Everyone is welcome at Symphony Hall and we will do whatever we can to ensure that you have an enjoyable visit.
Details of how to register and use our Access Scheme can be found here. Please register for a range of tickets and services including companion tickets and wheelchair positions
Symphony Hall Access Provision
Standing & Queuing
There is limited seating available on each of our foyers Level 3 (Stalls) to Level 5a (Grand Tier). This a mixture of padded dining style chairs and stools. None of these have armrests.
In B:Eats café there are tables to sit at. These can be reserved by contacting our Food and Beverage department.
We do not have a specific accessible entrance into the venue.
Flat & Wheelchair Access
There are level access seats available on every level of the venue. Please contact the venue for more information about where these are.
There are dedicated wheelchair positions in:
- Stalls: Left Box
- Stalls: Right Box
- Stalls: Rows Y & Z
- Upper Circle Left Box
- Upper Circle Right Box
If you would rather transfer to a seat your wheelchair/scooter can be stored at the door.
There are two lifts that can access each level of the venue.
5a – Grand Tier
5 – Upper Circle
4 – Circle
3 – Stalls
There are accessible toilets on every level including a changing place on Circle level (Level 4).
At Symphony Hall we have one wheelchair that is used to transport customers around the venue when needed. This chair cannot be booked in advance and is primarily for emergencies.
There are lowered counters on all the bars and at the Box Office.
Distances
Some of the distances you may need to walk:
- ICC Mall entrance to lifts: 50 paces
- B:Eats Centenary Square entrance to lifts: 60 paces
- Lifts to furthest auditorium door: 75 paces
- Furthest auditorium doors to toilets: 95 paces
- ICC Mall entrance to Box Office: 90 paces
- B:Eats Centenary Square entrance to Box Office: 35 paces
Essential Companions & Access Scheme
If you need the assistance of a companion to attend an event, we offer a free companion ticket(s). These tickets are available for the majority of our events.
There is a limit on the number available for each show, so we advise you to book early where possible.
Please join our Access Scheme to book online and use the dedicated phone line for access patrons. Our access line is (0)121 289 6343
Passenger Lift Specifications
Door Width: 109 cm [3 ft 6.5 in]
Internal Depth: 127 cm [4 ft 2 in]
Internal Width: 142 cm [4 ft 7.5 in]
Urgent Toilet Needs
There are toilets on every level including accessible toilets. These can be opened using a RADAR key. If you do not a RADAR key the toilet can be opened by a member of staff.
Most of our toilets are located on the Broad Street side of the venue. These are nearest to Doors 1, 3, 5 and 7.
There is a ‘Space to Change’ in the accessible toilet on Level 4 (Circle). This toilet does not require a radar key. It provides an accessible space to accommodate both you and companion with a:
- Peninsular toilet WC with support arms
- Ceiling track hoist
- Wall-mounted adult-sized height adjustable changing bench
- Height adjustable washbasin
- Privacy screen
Assistance Dogs
We welcome assistance dogs. They can be kept with you in the auditorium or they can be looked after by a member of staff in the foyer. Please notify us in advance so that our Front of House team are prepared.
Some areas of the auditorium may be more suitable for assistance dogs to remain so please contact us if you have any questions.
Please note that some performances include loud noises and special effects.
Visual Information
No provisions at current time
Audible Information
There is a hearing loop at the Box Office counter.
Please contact Box Office for BSL and captioning provisions.
Miscellaneous
There is level access to Symphony Hall Level 3 (Main Entrance, Box Office & B:Eats) from the ICC Mall and Symphony Hall external entrance on Centenary Square.
The Symphony Hall external doors and the ICC doors are automatic.
There is level access from Centenary Square, Broad Street and Cambridge Street to these entrances.
ICC entrance Brindley Place side is not level access.
There are six spaces for Blue Badge holders that have to be booked before the day of the event. These are located at Bay B at the ICC (B1 2NP).
Nearest Car Parks are the Q-Park in Brindley Place and Utilita Arena Birmingham’s North Car Park. Both are accessible.
There is sometimes street parking on Cambridge Street.
Nearest bus stops are on Broad Street approximately 150m (164yds) of the venue.
Nearest tram stop is ‘Library Centenary Square’.
The nearest mainline train station is Birmingham New Street.
To book Bay B parking you must have tickets for the event taking place in Symphony Hall and be a member of the B:Music Access Scheme
Plan your visit
We want you to have the best time when you visit Symphony Hall
Here's everything you need to know to make your visit run smoother than a Sade Operator...
Food & Drink
B:Eats at Symphony Hall
B:Eats is the Symphony Hall cafe serving fresh, seasonal, delicious dishes for daytime dining or pre-show treats.
Home of the Brummie Bacon Cake™, a menu of classic dishes with contemporary twists and a selection of hot drinks and cake, B:Eats has many veggie, vegan and gluten-free options which are bound to hit the right note for a quick snack or pre-show dinner.
Opening Hours
Mon - Sat: 11am - 4pm
Mon - Sat evenings: Open till 30 mins before performance start*
Sundays: Open 2 hrs prior to performances only*
*Not open for Symphony Hall Flipped Stage performances
Bars
With a bar on every level stocking a selection of beers, wines, spirits, alcohol free and soft drinks, plus delicious snackable treats, you can be sure everyone in your party will find a tipple to enjoy.
Pre-order your interval drinks
B:eat the queues by pre-ordering your interval drinks with our handy app!
Getting to Symphony Hall
By Car
Parking
Convenient parking facilities for Symphony Hall can be found at Q-Park Brindleyplace and Q-Park Mailbox, click here for more information. Both car parks offer electric vehicle charging so you can park and charge during your visit.
Please note that due to temporary works, there is currently a reduced capacity at Q Park Mailbox.
Prebook your parking and receive a 10% discount at Q-Park. Simply enter the code 'BMusic10' during checkout. For each booking made with this code, Q Park will donate 10% of the transaction to B:Music in support of our charitable activities with young people and local artists.
Also, if you download the Q-Park Rewards app you can receive cashback from your parking and cashback from many high street brands.
Good to know
Birmingham City Centre is a Clean Air Zone. Please see Birmingham City Council website here for details.
Electric vehicle charging points within Birmingham can be found here
Check transport disruptions, find parking & find more transport information for Birmingham on the council webpage here
By Bus
We are easily accessible by bus. Plan your journey with Network West Midlands or call the West Midlands Journey Planner hotline on 0871 200 22 33 (charges apply)
By Train
Birmingham New Street and Snow Hill stations are within easy walking distance of Symphony Hall. Moor Street and Five Ways are slightly further away but still within walking distance. Train times can be checked at the National Rail website. There are taxi ranks at each station.
By Bike
There are lots of bike racks in Centenary Square. For information on cycle routes in the city, visit sustrans.org.uk or birmingham.gov.uk/cycling
By Tram
The Library tram stop is just by the Symphony Hall front entrance on Centenary Square. Plan your journey with West Midlands Metro.
Taxi Drop off
The nearest drop off point is Cambridge Street, it is then a 2 minute walk to the Symphony Hall entrance.
By Plane
Birmingham International Airport’s adjacent rail station – Birmingham International – has frequent trains to the city centre.
Getting here
- Symphony Hall
Broad Street
Birmingham
B1 2EA - More info