A prestigious link between the world's most famous orchestra and Britain's most easterly town is to be extended further in the year ahead.

Classical music will soon be more accessible for everyone after the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra announced that Lowestoft will be one of its principal residencies.

Having been the resident orchestra at the Marina Theatre since 2005, the orchestra will ensure its work extends beyond the concert stage – as a developed community and education programme, run by RPO Resound, is unveiled.

This new programme, along with their hugely popular live performances that will see three concerts performed at the Marina this year, aims to engage up to 900 primary schoolchildren with the wonders of classical music.

Working with Children & the Arts and the Marina Theatre this three-year programme will begin soon. A group of Young Producers from Lowestoft Sixth Form College are already planning, devising and working on ways to present a concert with a full symphony orchestra as part of the Sound Around project.

Working with Orchestras Live, this will end with two performances for local schools, as well as a special relaxed concert especially for adults and young people with additional needs on March 24.

Lee Henderson, chief executive at the Marina Theatre, said: 'We are immensely proud that the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra have chosen Lowestoft as one of their principal residencies.

'This will make classical music even more accessible for the community as we continue to build on years of music making here at the Marina Theatre. We are looking forward to the next chapter of this exciting collaboration.'

James Williams, managing director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, said: 'The RPO is extremely proud of our Residency in Lowestoft and looks forward to developing our partnership with the Marina Theatre over the next five years and beyond as one of the Orchestra's Principal UK Residencies. Our mission of creating live orchestral experiences available to everyone will sit at the heart of our concert, community and education programmes in Lowestoft, brilliantly supported by Lee Henderson, the team at the Marina Theatre and the loyal audiences and partners we've developed over many years.'

RPO concerts

Alongside community and education work in the area, the RPO will continue to present concerts offering a range of music to suit all tastes.

Tickets for their 2018 season at the Marina Theatre are on sale now, opening with A Night at the Movies on Friday, June 22, which brings together iconic and epic film soundtracks.

Also on the bill is the annual patriotic favourite Last Night of the Proms on Friday, September 14 with a programme that includes Elgar Chanson de Nuit, Parry Jerusalem and many more.

A Night at the Symphony is performed on Friday, November 16 featuring Schumann's Cello Concerto.

Alongside Lowestoft, the other principal residencies for the RPO are Cambridge, Northampton, Reading, Crawley, Hull and Scunthorpe.

To book for any of the performances at the Marina Theatre, call the box office on 01502 533200 or visit www.marinatheatre.co.uk