AUDIENCES can relive the sounds of the seventies at the BSO's Disco Symphonic Spectacular.

The event takes place at Meyrick Park in Bournemouth on Saturday, August 11, as part of this year's BSO Proms in the Park event.

Strictly singer Lance Ellington will be joined by West End singers Annie Skates, Hazel Fernandes and Andrew Playfoot as the orchestra, conducted by Pete Harrison, performs disco tracks by the Bee Gees; Boney M; Sister Sledge; Donna Summer and more.

Lance, who has been working in the industry for more than 30 years, chats to Leisure Live ahead of the performance...

What made you decide to embark on a career in music?

One of the first things I remember is listening to really great music. My father, Ray Ellington, was a musician, so I grew up with music being the norm in my house. So I guess I sort of followed in his footsteps.

What has been a career highlight for you?

I got to sing on the Royal Variety Show when I was in a duo many years ago, the Queen Mother was there. Working with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is something which I love doing. Getting to work with the BSO is really wonderful, especially as getting to sing with a world-class orchestra isn’t a regular occurrence. You get spoilt because you get to work with a wonderful orchestra and then when you go to work with trios or quartets it’s never quite the same. Another highlight for me was about two years ago, I got to work at the Royal Albert Hall with Quincy Jones. I sang ‘Days Like These’ while Quincy Jones conducted the orchestra, that was fantastic.

What are you most looking forward to about the BSO’s Disco Symphonic Spectacular?

The Proms in the Park concerts with the BSO are such great fun. It’s such a pleasure to work with the other fantastic singers: Annie Skates, Hazel Fernandes and Andrew Playfoot. I also love that the audience get so involved, and the Orchestra also get involved and dress up which makes for an amazing concert. Everyone just gets in the spirit of it which is so good, you don’t always get that.

What’s the best thing about being a musician?

I feel very very lucky to do something that I love and that I’ve always had a passion for. The best and most amazing thing about being a musician is that you get to do some much variety. People say that variety is the spice of life and I think that’s true in music. It’s great to be able to sing and perform so many different genres of music. You get to travel the world, appear with people that you idolise, and play with some of the finest musicians in the world. I feel incredibly lucky that every day I get to do something involved with music. For me, it keeps it fresh and exciting because I get to do so many different types of things.

:: Tickets for the Disco Symphonic Spectacular are priced £29 in advance or £32 on the day, from 01202 669925 or bsolive.com