The Proms or Promenade Concerts are an annual series of music concerts sponsored by the BBC and held at the Royal Albert Hall and other venues in London. They are called ‘Promenade Concerts’ because originally the audience ‘promenaded’ or walked about during the concerts, although now they stand or sit. The Proms originated in 1895, and since that time have become a hugely popular event. The programmes are usually of classical music, and reflect popular taste as well as more original and adventurous pieces. These days jazz, world music and other musical styles also feature on the concert programme.

The Proms take place each year, from mid-July to mid-September, although the most popular evening is the Last Night of the Proms, when concert goers fill the Hall and stand tightly packed in the arena in front of the orchestra for an evening of stirring music. Each season now consists of over 70 concerts making The Proms to be the biggest classical music festival in the world. As it was expected the organizers dedicated the events to Mozart (250th birthday celebration)  and Shostakovich (centenary of his birth) this year.