London 2012 announced that the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony will have an entirely British cast of performers. Kim Gavin, who made the announcement, will be the artistic director for the Olympic and Paralympic Closing Cereomies. Gavin, a trained ballet dancer, has cheographed various Brit award performances, as well as the concert for Diana and the Help for Heroes concert. However, it was is work on the critically acclaimed Take That European Progress Tour last year, that is said to be his most high profile achievement. Gavin said "We intend to produce an Olympic Closing Ceremony that will be a unique promotion of great British popular music. For the Closing Ceremony, which will be titled, we will not only be working with our most globally successful musicians, but we also want to use this opportunity to showcase our stars of tomorrow. We want it to be a surprise but you can be sure there will be some very high profile British performers involved," he said. It was also announced that the London Symphony Orchestra will be awarded the contract to record the soundtrack for the Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies. The Orchestra is committed to music education and reach over 60,000 people each year. "The London Symphony Orchestra aims to make great music available to everyone and the Olympic and Paralympic opportunity will reach people of all ages across the world. The experience of world sport and music brings people of all nationalities and backgrounds together with a common purpose and we are thrilled to be part of the Olympic and Paralympic Ceremonies here in London," said Kathryn McDowell, managing director of the London Symphony Orchestra. In 2011, London 2012 announced the appointment of Gavin along with Es Devlin, multi-award-winning international stage and costume designer. Devlin will be the costume designer of the Closing Ceremony. To add to the very successful Gavin and Devlin, David Arnold will be the music director for the Closing Ceremony. He composed records by Dame Shirley Bassey, George Michael and also composed the music to five James Bond movies, Independence Day as well as Chronicles of Narnia. The only non-British element of the Closing Ceremony will be when London 2012 hands over to Rio de Janeiro (2016), for their eight minute showcase. The rest of the Ceremony will be overlooked by Stephen Daldry, who was the executive producer and director of movies such as Billy Elliot and The Reader. "The London 2012 Ceremonies are an opportunity to promote the UK's world leading culture and creative industries to over four billion people around the world so we're delighted that one of British music is playing such a key role," he said. William Shakespeares play The Tempest will be the inspiration for the Opening Ceremony and will also be featured at the Closing Ceremony.
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