FROM Judy Garland to Julie Andrews – the John Wilson Orchestra is bringing a bit of Hollywood magic to Glasgow.

With 40 years of classic songs from the movies, their show, Hooray for Hollywood, is sure to bring back memories.

Conducted by John Wilson, the orchestra shot to fame in 2009 when they played songs from MGM musicals at the BBC Proms. Touring with that show they sold out the Royal Concert Hall, and this year they are hoping to do the same again.

John, 39, said: "It's four decades-worth of the best bits of film musicals from 1929 to 1969.

"It starts off with Al Jolson, goes through Fred Astaire, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, and finishes up with a Julie Andrews tribute."

After the original scores were destroyed, John has dedicated the last 12 years to transcribing, often by ear, the film music for MGM musicals like High Society, Singin' in the Rain, and An American in Paris.

While many of the other studios kept their scores, John was given access to archives to create new parts and edit the music to sound exactly as it does on film.

Asked why he did it, John said: "It is some of the most important music of the 20th century – somebody's got to rescue it."

In August the orchestra released That's Entertainment, their new record from EMI Classics recording studio.

And the orchestra worked on the soundtrack for Kevin Spacey's film Beyond the Sea, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Soundtrack as well as recording with Paul McCartney.

The 70 players and four vocalists, which include renowned big band singer Matthew Ford and Broadway performer Kim Criswell, will arrive at the Royal Concert Hall on December 6.

This year's programme will deliver an original performance at each venue as the musicians work hard to keep things fresh every night.

However, choosing from more than 100 years of classic tunes is not an easy task, and it took 40 different drafts before they arrived at the final programme.

John said: "We wanted to represent all the different stars, all the studios, all the composers – but I think we have settled on something really good now."

John, who was born in Gateshead, got his first taste of conducting at his local pantomime when he was 14.

He said: "I only did it because somebody didn't turn up. I hated it, I was terrified – but I got the bug and that was it."

John said: "I have always loved songs, that is my great passion, whether they are by George Gershwin or Schubert, it doesn't make any difference to me."

John knows some of the musicals so well he could conduct them in his sleep.

His favourite is the broadway melody ballet from Singin' in the Rain. "I never tire of conducting that," John says.

And John is certain that the musicals are in the middle of a big revival.

He said: "There are more musicals running in the West End than ever.

"Not only are they accessible and brilliantly tuneful and easy to love, but also really well written.

"Tunes like that are appreciated by the man on the street who can whistle them but are also revered by musicians for their musical genius – you can appreciate them on all levels."

n Hooray for Hollywood is at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on December 6 at 7.30pm.

For more information call 0141 353 8000.