Mobiles ring in to new symphony

Simon Turner's latest composition is The New Ring Cycle, written specially for mobile phones.

The piece will have its world première at the Cheltenham International Music Festival in Gloucestershire on Saturday.

Members of the invited 30-piece mobile orchestra, Cheltenham SIM-phone-ya, are preparing for the final rehearsal of the piece.

Conductor Marcus Moore, of Cirencester, said the mobile phone is a portable musical instrument.

"I don't think people see that. They see it as a means of communication.

"They have got all the different ring tones on them.

"Each key makes a separate little sound. It is a creative thing.

"People should be creative all the time and there should be the opportunity for people to play with these things and think 'Hey, maybe I can compose something'.

"At all concerts the one mobile phone that goes off is an anathema - here is one occasion when we can harness those fascinating tones in a positive way! "

'Celebratory finale'

Whether the cellphone has a future as a musical intrustment is in the lap of the gods, said the composer.

"As far as my part if concerned, I'll find out on Saturday."

The work, which is a "bit of fun", is in three movements.

The first explores the history of the mobile phone and the second featuring audience participation.

The third is described as "a celebratory finale".