11:29am Sunday 1st June 2008
By Emily Thwaite
AN ORCHESTRA is preparing for its biggest ever concert.
Rehearsals are currently in full swing at Thornbury Orchestra as around 60 musicians prepare to take to the stage in what will be the ensemble's largest concert so far.
It will take place at St Mary's Church, Thornbury, on Saturday, June 14 at 7.30pm, in aid of the Friends of St Mary's charity.
The orchestra will be performing a summer programme packed with popular classics including Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, Walton's Crown Imperial and Jupiter from Holst's The Planets as well as a selection of film music.
The works chosen require a large symphony orchestra including a harp, timpani and six French horns.
The orchestra has grown rapidly since it was founded in 2002 by a group of local amateur musicians. They wanted to provide an opportunity for local enthusiasts to play together in an ensemble and provide a way for young people to gain their first experiences of orchestral playing. The orchestra performed its inaugural concert in 2003, shortly followed by its debut at the Thornbury Arts Festival in May 2004.
"An impressive performance from this new orchestra" was how one festival reviewer described the orchestra's achievement.
The ensemble also aims to give composers from the region the chance to have their works performed in public. At its sell-out concert in December 2007, the group played an excerpt from a piece by local composer Trevor Jones.
Five years on from its foundation, the orchestra draws players from across South Gloucestershire and beyond and includes musicians of all ages and from all walks of life.
The group rehearses fortnightly on Wednesday evenings and performs two to three concerts a year, often in support of local charities.
Conductor Chris Hill has been involved with the orchestra from its early days and his enthusiastic encouragement helps the group tackle ever more ambitious programmes of music, requiring a wide range of instruments.
With recruitment for its December concert in mind, the orchestra is also planning three open evenings on Wednesdays - June 18, July 2 and July 16, all at 7.45pm. The free-of-charge sessions will take place at the orchestra's usual rehearsal venue of the United Reformed Church in Thornbury.
Prospective members will have a chance to join the orchestra for a relaxed and informal play-through of Mahler's First Symphony and the Háry János Suite by Hungarian composer Kodály.
Thornbury Orchestra is particularly keen to hear from string players and musicians from local schools. Players need to be of a good standard and wishing to improve.
For more information about Thornbury Orchestra and ticket details for the concert, visit www.thornburyorchestra.org.uk.
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