BBC National Orchestra of Wales will explore the story behind audience members’ favourite pieces of music, as part of a special concert at Cardiff’s St David’s Hall designed to introduce classical music to new audiences.

The team behind NOW It’s Your Turn offered audience members the chance to suggest their favourite piece of music, to be played by BBC National Orchestra of Wales at the concert on Friday 23 May, 7pm, at St David’s Hall. From over 100 suggestions, the team shortlisted a selection to be performed live by the Orchestra.

The diverse music chosen includes the energetic William Tell Overture by Rossini; the theme from the film Somewhere in Time, composed by John Barry; the famous opening movement of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony; and music from BBC One’s Doctor Who.

Audience member Paul Davies, whose chosen piece will be performed on the night, said about the project: “I am delightedly excited to have had some involvement in NOW It's Your Turn. To have the opportunity of hearing a full orchestra - especially one a world class orchestra for which BBC NOW is renown - play one of your favourite pieces of music, live, and essentially in a response to a request from you is absolutely amazing. It's like winning the grand prize in a competition.”

“The piece of music I have chosen is Somewhere in Time by John Barry, the score of the film of the same name. Barry's music almost effortlessly carries the narrative throughout the film and suspends the audience in a sojourn of feeling which are so real they appear visceral and palpable.”

The concert will also feature special guest performances – and in a special collaboration, Chris Jones, a singer-songwriter from Caernarfon, will join the Orchestra on stage for a performance with Georgia Ruth, harpist and winner of the Welsh Music Prize 2013. Chris Jones is one of the 12 artists selected as part of Horizons / Gorwelion, a scheme delivered by BBC Cymru Wales in partnership with Arts Council Wales to develop emerging talent in Wales.

The Orchestra will also be joined on stage by dancers from Ballet Cymru, who will perform in Kodály’s Dances of Galanta; and Martin Daws, Young People’s Laureate for Wales, will introduce new poetry by pupils from Archbishop McGrath Catholic High School in Bridgend, set to Grieg’s Morning, from the Peer Gynt suite.

15-year-old violinist Charlie Lovell-Jones, from Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf, will perform alongside the Orchestra, playing the third movement from Bruch’s Violin Concerto No 1.

Marc, a pupil from Ysgol y Bont, Anglesey, will also join the Orchestra for a closing number, as part of the culmination of extensive relationship with the special school in Llangefni.

Suitable for all the family, the concert will also include the opportunity to try-out instruments in the orchestra, free arts and crafts activities, and the chance to tweet along during the concert. Plus, the audience will also be able to choose between one of two pieces in the concert, bringing immediate interactivity to the St David’s Hall audience.

Tickets for NOW It’s Your Turn on Friday 23 May, 7pm can be booked by calling the BBC National Orchestra of Wales Audience Line on 0800 052 1812.

Family tickets for this concert are priced at just £12.50 for 1 adult and up to 2 children; and £18 for 2 adults and up to 4 children.

Alternatively, tickets are available through the St David’s Hall Box Office on 029 2087 8444, or online at stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk. Please note that the St David's Hall online booking service carries an additional booking charge of £1.75 per transaction.

For more information about the Orchestra, visit bbc.co.uk/now.