IT’S been a long wait, for audiences as well as members of Trianon Music Group but it’s finally time for the curtain to go up on their Movie Magic concert.

Traditionally, their opening concert each year takes place in early January. But severe weather conditions at the start of the year put paid to this.

“Audience and Trianon members were so disappointed when this show was cancelled earlier this year. Although,” laughs Trianon spokeswoman Pauline Smith, “to have the opportunity to have additional rehearsal time, everyone was really delighted because they thought ‘we can get even better’.

“It was the first time since being founded in 1959 we’ve had to cancel a show. We were extremely grateful and relieved it hadn’t happened in January 2009, which was the beginning of our 50th anniversary celebrations.”

Any hope they had of pushing ahead was laid to rest by the laying snow the night before.

“It was unsafe and many of our members are quite widespread not just Ipswich-based,” sighs Pauline. “We could’ve had half an orchestra, half a choir, the audience possibly wouldn’t have been able to get there. So chances were even if half of us had got in we couldn’t have done the whole programme.”

Ticket sales are going fairly well and the group hopes it will sell out as usual.

“I think people are looking at the weather again because it put them on the back foot last year. I suspect they do need to get their tickets as soon as possible now; all over a sudden they will go.”

The programme – conducted by conductor and artistic director Professor Chris Green OBE – is exactly the same, as are most of the 200 people who will perform it.

This includes soloist, soprano Alicia Toms who will sing O Mio Babino by Puccini in the classics for the silver screen section and With One Look from Sunset Boulevard in the all dressed up and nowhere to go portion.

“We don’t give up easily,” laughs Pauline. “It is testimony to our members’ dedication and belief that this is a fabulous programme which they have been happy to come along to rehearsals for the same music for a second time – with all the benefits this brings to the performance for both members and audience alike.”

Trianon Movie Magic, sponsored by Music Sales Charitable Trust, takes place at Ipswich Corn Exchange from 7.30pm on January 8. Audience members are invited to enjoy some pre-show entertainment in the form of The Trianon Buskers from 6.40pm to 7.10pm, who will perform in aid of the The Ipswich Umbrella Trust.

Members of the trust will also be on hand to talk about their work.

The programme is packed full of wonderful, moving, exhilarating music for all ages.

Like previous concerts, it’s been put together with a great deal of consideration by the music committee – the only difference being this particular one is being performed a year later than planned.

Trianon Movie Magic has been planned around specific themes, for example there is a section called classics for the silver screen and the work of Ken Russell – which includes music from films about Delius and Elgar and another about Puccini directed by young film director Tony Palmer, whom Russell had mentored at the BBC.

The section all dressed up and nowhere to go includes music by Stephen Sondheim from Sweeney Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in recognition of 2010 being his 80th birthday year. It remains in the 2011 programme.

Opening with Rogers and Hammerstein’s It’s a Grand Night for Singing from State Fair, there will be great movie marches from such films as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Bridge On the River Kwai – listen out for whistling orchestral players during Colonel Bogey – and Star Trek.

The main theme from Exodus and The Chronicles of Narnia come in the category of epics while a tremendous finale to part one is the movie that has had audiences dancing and singing in the aisles – Mamma Mia.

Add Chicago, Spiderman and much more into the mix and this promises to be an evening that will be remembered for a long time to come.

Movie Magic features music orchestrated by members Stephen Hogger, David Ruddock, Francesca Reid and – while not a Trianon member – local composer and a long-time friend Andrew Burke has orchestrated the Mamma Mia selection.

“It’s family orientated with something for absolutely everybody, it’s marvellous. All your favourite tunes from your favourite movies. You just recognise them, even if you read it and think ‘what’s that’ you hear it and think ‘oh I know’,” adds Pauline.

Looking ahead, on February 5 next year Trianon will welcome Crescendo, a very lively vocal group from Arras, France, whose performances include a great deal of movement and dance.

Trianon has forged a great many friendships over the years through its visits abroad.

Crescendo will perform with members of Trianon at 7.30pm in the Atrium, Suffolk New College, Rope Walk, Ipswich. Profits from ticket sales, along with a retiring collection, will be donated to the Suffolk Dyslexia Association.

Further details about Trianon music Group and future events are available at www.tmg.org.uk or by calling 01359 221934.