London 2012: Musical and sporting talent join Glasgow Music Nation Olympic fanfare

Stars from the worlds of sport and music will come together in Glasgow on Saturday for a musical fanfare ahead of the London Olympics.

Violinist Nicola Benedetti and Olympic heroes Allan Wells, Liz McColgan and David Wilkie are among those taking part in the event.

They will be joined by the Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the best of Scotland's young musicians.

Music Nation: A Sporting Fanfare takes place at the Clyde Auditorium.

It will be presented by broadcaster Kirsty Wark and comedian Rory Bremner.

Playing an instrument and taking part in sporting activities are similar - both need hours of practice, commitment, discipline, being part of a team”

The concert will include sporting-themed performances of John Williams' Olympic Fanfare, Vangelis's theme from Chariots Of Fire, Ravel's Bolero, music from Carl Orff's Carmina Burana and the world premiere of a newly commissioned fanfare from Scottish composer James MacMillan.

It will be conducted by Stephen Bell after Donald Runnicles had to withdraw from the concert because of illness.

Former Olympians, who will recount their memories, also include Paralympic tandem cyclist Aileen McGlynn, diver Sir Peter Heatly and track star Yvonne Murray.

Also taking part will be Orkney fiddler Kristan Harvey - recently crowned BBC Radio Scotland's Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2011.

She will be joined by the National Youth Choir of Scotland, members of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and young people from the Big Noise project in Stirling's Raploch Estate.

Nicola Benedetti said she was delighted to be part of the Glasgow event.

"Music, culture and sport play a major part in the lives of people up and down the country and I know from personal experience, and with working with Sistema Scotland's Big Noise project, that music can be used as an instrument to change the lives of and give aspiration to many, many young people," she said.

"Playing an instrument and taking part in sporting activities are similar - both need hours of practice, commitment, discipline, being part of a team, striving for perfection and of course are a source of great fun!"

Former sprinter Wells said: "The Olympics is such a special event it's fitting to celebrate it coming to the UK with this unique music-meets-sport concert in Scotland.

"As an Olympian myself, I want to support the forthcoming London 2012 Olympics and Music Nation promises to be a night to remember with tremendous music performances and sporting recollections."

The event will be broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland from 19:30 and BBC Radio 3, with a TV programme of highlights on BBC Two Scotland broadcast on Sunday.