Bedfordshire Orchestral Society
Registered Charity Number: 262813
About us
Bedfordshire Orchestral Society
The Society organises and promotes more than ten classical music concerts each year in and around Bedford featuring performances by its two orchestras. The orchestras are often joined in their concerts by established soloists of international repute as well as younger soloists embarking on their professional careers.
Both orchestras regularly support other musical groups (including the Bedford Choral Society and the Bedfordshire Music Service) and other musical charities in and around Bedfordshire in their performances, music training and concerts.
The Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra is of symphonic size and performs major works from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Members rehearse regularly each week from September to May and perform three concerts during the season. Bedford Sinfonia is a chamber orchestra which specializes in works from the early and mid-classical period and the 20th century. Rehearsals are concentrated immediately prior to a concert, of which there are usually six or seven each year.
Both orchestras regularly support other musical groups (including the Bedford Choral Society and the Bedfordshire Music Service) and other musical charities in and around Bedfordshire in their performances, music training and concerts.
The Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra is of symphonic size and performs major works from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. Members rehearse regularly each week from September to May and perform three concerts during the season. Bedford Sinfonia is a chamber orchestra which specializes in works from the early and mid-
To download a copy of the Society’s
constitution click here.
constitution click here.
To download the Report and Accounts from
the 2009 AGM click here.
the 2009 AGM click here.
History
The Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra began informally in 1967, giving its first concert early in 1968. From its inception it enjoyed the support of the Bedfordshire Education Department Music Service, being conducted by Roy Rimmer (then the County’s Music Advisor). From 1972 his rôle was taken by Michael Rose, who moved to Bedford from his work with the BBC Training Orchestra in Bristol. The orchestra has always enjoyed the support of many peripatetic instrumental teachers on the County Staff who bring with them their playing and teaching skills, enabling the orchestra to fulfil its aim of offering opportunities for amateur and semi-professional musicians to work together in rehearsing and performing great music to a high standard.
Bedford Sinfonia was founded by Michael Rose in 1972 and has a fine reputation for the quality of its performances. Membership is by invitation.