- Diary dates - summer sessions, play day and next season...
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Date Posted: Sun, 28 Apr 2024
Open Summer Sessions....
Wednesday Evenings, Castle Street Kendal, 7.15 pm - 9.30 pm
10th July, 17th, 24th and 31st.
Two will be conducted by Melvin, two by Martin, details to follow in due course...
Come and Play Day Saturday September 21st, 10 am - 4.30 pm
Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands
Focussing on Shostakovitch Symphony No. 5.... to be performed June 2025!
Next Season's Concerts:
Sunday 8th December, 3.00pm
Scary Fairy Saves Christmas - Farrington; Tam O'Shanter Overture - Arnold; Ma Mère l'Oye (Mother Goose) - Ravel; Christmas Festival - Anderson.
Saturday 29th March, 7.30pm
Der Freischütz Overture - Weber; Violin Concerto - Sibelius; Symphony No. 6 "Pathétique" - Tchaikovsky. Violin Soloist - Leora Cohen.
Saturday 14th June, 7.30pm
La Forza del Destino Overture - Verdi; The Firebird Suite - Stravinsky; Symphony No. 5 - Shostakovitch.
EXCITING, ISN'T IT?!
- New Music Director
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Date Posted: Thu, 14 Dec 2023
I am delighted that we have invited Melvin Tay to be our new Music Director and Conductor - and he has said he would love to be! Some of you may have seen him when he stepped in at the last moment for a Lakeland Sinfonia concert last year - indeed he is conducting them again on 9th March.
He was due to conduct us in May 2020, but Covid put paid to that; so we invited him back as guest conductor for our recently cancelled concert and we have enjoyed working with him this term. He is an extraordinary young conductor, originally from Singapore now based in Manchester. He has conducted the BBC Philharmonic and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras as well as the Manchester Camerata and many others. If you would like to learn more about his work please visit his websit.e - it has lots of information as well as some video clips. I think you will agree we are very lucky to have him. Melvin is delighted to be joining us, saying: "It’s been fantastic being able to make music with the lovely people in the orchestra over the last couple of months and I'm really excited to be appointed as music director. I'm looking forward to what the future holds and for us to bring a variety of exciting performances to audiences in and around Kendal."
For more information, see: www.melvintay.com/home
- Notice of AGM
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Date Posted: Wed, 6 Sep 2023
Notice is hereby given that the AGMs of The Westmorland Orchestra Charity reg No. 502339 and The Westmorland Orchestra CIO Reg No. 1201505 will be held during the rehearsal at Castle Street Community Centre on Wednesday 27th September 2023.
If you have not received the papers and would like to, please contact one of the Trustees.
- Come to our Summer Playing Sessions
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Date Posted: Tue, 13 Jun 2023
To help us achieve that, click here to tell us your name, instrument, & which sessions you will attend.
Recommended standard Grade 5 +
Note: parking is limited - please allow time!
Bring your own refreshments
For more information, see: https://www.westmorlandorchestra.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=evlist
- Advance details of next season's concerts
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Date Posted: Mon, 12 Jun 2023
- OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THIS YEAR'S CLASSICAL NUMBER ONE!
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Date Posted: Thu, 1 Jun 2023
In the world's biggest poll of classical music, this year's number one is Rachmaninoff's second piano concerto which Kendal concert-goers will soon have the opportunity to hear performed live. It is perhaps one of the most romantic pieces of music ever written and will be played by rising star Dominic Degavino with the Westmorland Orchestra in June. Many people will know the piano concerto from the classic movie 'Brief Encounter'; others may recognise the main theme from Eric Carmen's hit song "All By Myself."
Also on the programme is the lively and engaging Overture to Prince Igor by Borodin, and Tchaikovsky's joyful second symphony.
The concert will be conducted by Martin Budgett, a locally-based musician who has previously played horn with the orchestra, he also plays the organ at Ravenstonedale. "I am thrilled to be conducting this concert - the programme will, I hope, be as exciting and enjoyable for the audience as it is for the players!"
Young pianist Dominic Degavino has visited Cumbria before, performing as a soloist and with his internationally renowned and award-winning Mithras Trio to great acclaim. Described as "a pianist worth watching" by The Times, Degavino says "This concerto is a piece I have loved for many years; I am relishing the opportunity to visit Kendal again and to perform it with the Westmorland Orchestra!" Chair of Westmorland Orchestra Georgina Perkins said "We consider ourselves very fortunate to have Dominic playing with us - as well as his enthusiasm for playing we have the support of the Countess of Munster Musical Trust to thank!"
The concert is at Kendal Parish Church, 7.30 pm on Saturday 10th June.
Tickets are £15 and FREE for young people and full time students, they are available online www.TicketSource.co.uk/wes and on the door.
