Orchestral music
English Symphony Orchestra
We're lucky to have the ESO (English Symphony Orchestra, English String Orchestra, or English Salon Orchestra depending on programme!) performing in this area, under its dynamic conductor Kenneth Woods. In 2018 they are Orchestra in Residence for a new Elgar Festival held annually around the composer's birthday on 2 June.
We're lucky to have the ESO (English Symphony Orchestra, English String Orchestra, or English Salon Orchestra depending on programme!) performing in this area, under its dynamic conductor Kenneth Woods. In 2018 they are Orchestra in Residence for a new Elgar Festival held annually around the composer's birthday on 2 June.
BBC NOW
It's not far to Cardiff or to Swansea - and there you can hear regular concerts by one of the BBC's six performing groups. BBC National Orchestra of Wales gave its first performance in April 1928 and occupies a special role as both a broadcast orchestra and the national symphony orchestra of Wales. The Orchestra is supported by the Arts Council of Wales. The Orchestra is based at BBC Hoddinott Hall, which is named after Welsh composer Alun Hoddinott, and is part of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. The Orchestra presents an annual season at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, where it is Orchestra-in-Residence, as well as concerts in venues across Wales and beyond; including annual performances at the BBC Proms and biannually at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World.
It's not far to Cardiff or to Swansea - and there you can hear regular concerts by one of the BBC's six performing groups. BBC National Orchestra of Wales gave its first performance in April 1928 and occupies a special role as both a broadcast orchestra and the national symphony orchestra of Wales. The Orchestra is supported by the Arts Council of Wales. The Orchestra is based at BBC Hoddinott Hall, which is named after Welsh composer Alun Hoddinott, and is part of the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. The Orchestra presents an annual season at St David’s Hall, Cardiff, where it is Orchestra-in-Residence, as well as concerts in venues across Wales and beyond; including annual performances at the BBC Proms and biannually at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World.
Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra
2016 marked the 75th anniversary of the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra. Founded in 1941 as the South Birmingham Orchestra to raise money for war charities, the orchestra adopted its present title in 1947. It remains the country’s leading large non-professional symphony orchestra, drawing its members from all walks of life throughout the West Midlands.
2016 marked the 75th anniversary of the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra. Founded in 1941 as the South Birmingham Orchestra to raise money for war charities, the orchestra adopted its present title in 1947. It remains the country’s leading large non-professional symphony orchestra, drawing its members from all walks of life throughout the West Midlands.
Capriol Chamber Orchestra
A chamber orchestra based in Stroud and conducted by Jonathan Trim which enjoys playing a wide range of repertoire from Baroque to the present day. They encourage local soloists whenever possible.
A chamber orchestra based in Stroud and conducted by Jonathan Trim which enjoys playing a wide range of repertoire from Baroque to the present day. They encourage local soloists whenever possible.
Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra
The Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1966 by Laurence Hudson to harness the talents of professional musicians in the area. The Orchestra has retained its tradition of performing music from the 17th Century to the present day and, through its regular concerts in Pittville Pump Room and St Andrew's Church, Montpellier, has built up an appreciative audience.
The Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1966 by Laurence Hudson to harness the talents of professional musicians in the area. The Orchestra has retained its tradition of performing music from the 17th Century to the present day and, through its regular concerts in Pittville Pump Room and St Andrew's Church, Montpellier, has built up an appreciative audience.
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Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra A mixture of amateur, student and professional players conducted by David Curtis (of the Orchestra of the Swan). |
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Eroica Camerata
"Established in 2005 by its current Music Director, Peter Marks, the Eroica Camerata brings together amateur and professional musicians from across the West Midlands. Aiming to set the highest standards in amateur music-making, the orchestra specialises in performing masterpieces from the Classical repertoire as well as Romantic and Modern chamber orchestral works."
"Established in 2005 by its current Music Director, Peter Marks, the Eroica Camerata brings together amateur and professional musicians from across the West Midlands. Aiming to set the highest standards in amateur music-making, the orchestra specialises in performing masterpieces from the Classical repertoire as well as Romantic and Modern chamber orchestral works."
Midland Sinfonia
Based in Alvechurch, Worcestershire, the Midland Sinfonia hold concerts at St. Lawrence Church. Their six concerts a year call on a variety of professional players, sometimes featuring a small group of players and other times larger forces. Their programmes explore an expansive range of classical music to suit all tastes and will introduce you to a host of different genres.
Based in Alvechurch, Worcestershire, the Midland Sinfonia hold concerts at St. Lawrence Church. Their six concerts a year call on a variety of professional players, sometimes featuring a small group of players and other times larger forces. Their programmes explore an expansive range of classical music to suit all tastes and will introduce you to a host of different genres.
Orchestra of the Swan
Here's a quote from the Birmingham Post review of one of the Orchestra of the Swan's concerts: "How time flies. It seems only a few years ago when we first became aware of Orchestra of the Swan – and now we’re celebrating its 21st anniversary. As David Curtis told us in the pre-concert talk, what began as a scratch band assembled in Stratford for a friend soon developed into a proper orchestra, and in the process changed Curtis from viola player (with the Coull Quartet) into a full-time conductor. And it’s this chamber music experience that has made OOTS so distinctive. Over the years Curtis has moulded his players into a unified ensemble of individual musicians untrammelled by the histrionics of an egocentric conductor....Absolutely delightful"
Here's a quote from the Birmingham Post review of one of the Orchestra of the Swan's concerts: "How time flies. It seems only a few years ago when we first became aware of Orchestra of the Swan – and now we’re celebrating its 21st anniversary. As David Curtis told us in the pre-concert talk, what began as a scratch band assembled in Stratford for a friend soon developed into a proper orchestra, and in the process changed Curtis from viola player (with the Coull Quartet) into a full-time conductor. And it’s this chamber music experience that has made OOTS so distinctive. Over the years Curtis has moulded his players into a unified ensemble of individual musicians untrammelled by the histrionics of an egocentric conductor....Absolutely delightful"
Welsh Sinfonia
I recently met Mark Eager, the energetic conductor of the Welsh Sinfonia; alongside their concerts they run the Crescendo Project, building classical orchestras in Welsh secondary schools.
I recently met Mark Eager, the energetic conductor of the Welsh Sinfonia; alongside their concerts they run the Crescendo Project, building classical orchestras in Welsh secondary schools.
Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra
"Music is a vital part of our county’s cultural heritage, and the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra is determined to keep it that way.
The orchestra, which was founded over 100 years ago with the help of Edward Elgar, continues to recruit new players of all ages, bringing pleasure to audiences across Worcestershire. We perform at least four concerts a year.
The orchestra gave its first concert in the Public Hall on 26 April 1906, with Ivor Atkins conducting more than 100 players. Elgar assisted in drawing up the programme, and conducted occasionally in performances of his own works. His daughter, Carice, played the violin in the orchestra for many years.
Today, Keith Slade is Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra’s dynamic young conductor. He studied clarinet at the Royal Northern College of Music and is a former BBC Young Musician of the Year Woodwind Finalist."
"Music is a vital part of our county’s cultural heritage, and the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra is determined to keep it that way.
The orchestra, which was founded over 100 years ago with the help of Edward Elgar, continues to recruit new players of all ages, bringing pleasure to audiences across Worcestershire. We perform at least four concerts a year.
The orchestra gave its first concert in the Public Hall on 26 April 1906, with Ivor Atkins conducting more than 100 players. Elgar assisted in drawing up the programme, and conducted occasionally in performances of his own works. His daughter, Carice, played the violin in the orchestra for many years.
Today, Keith Slade is Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra’s dynamic young conductor. He studied clarinet at the Royal Northern College of Music and is a former BBC Young Musician of the Year Woodwind Finalist."
Here's a report from a recent issue of Classical Music:
UK orchestras: reaching millions, perhaps billions, of people worldwide Alex Stevens - 13 November 2014
The Association of British Orchestras has produced a video to promote the work of the UK’s orchestras across the arts and entertainment industries. It accompanies a new report, Making Everyday Life Special: Britain’s Orchestras and the Creative Industries (pdf link), which outlines UK orchestras’ diverse activities.
‘Britain’s orchestras have never been more widely enjoyed,’ says the report. ‘Through their work with the creative industries and beyond they reach huge audiences, across the UK and around the world ‒ making their leading talents available to all, and making everyday life special.’
Watch the ABO's video on YouTube
UK orchestras: reaching millions, perhaps billions, of people worldwide Alex Stevens - 13 November 2014
The Association of British Orchestras has produced a video to promote the work of the UK’s orchestras across the arts and entertainment industries. It accompanies a new report, Making Everyday Life Special: Britain’s Orchestras and the Creative Industries (pdf link), which outlines UK orchestras’ diverse activities.
‘Britain’s orchestras have never been more widely enjoyed,’ says the report. ‘Through their work with the creative industries and beyond they reach huge audiences, across the UK and around the world ‒ making their leading talents available to all, and making everyday life special.’
Watch the ABO's video on YouTube