Orchestra

The Wolsey Orchestra was founded in 1972 as a chamber orchestra, since when it has been committed to putting on concerts of the highest musical standard. Professional conductors and soloists work with the orchestra to make it one of the finest amateur orchestras in East Anglia. Many guest conductors have made return visits to Ipswich to work with the orchestra. Its members, from Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex, pay a subscription which goes towards offsetting the high cost of promoting its concerts.

The Wolsey Orchestra has latterly earned a reputation for producing innovative and exciting programmes for large-scale Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra aims to present concerts with a professional standard of performance yet with the freshness and vitality that enthusiastic and experienced local musicians can bring to the musaic when playing to their highest possible level.

The orchestra gives three concerts per season, each preceded by two intensive rehearsal Sundays. Professional conductors are invited to work on specific programmes, the orchestra having no ‘resident’ or regular conductor. The orchestra is managed by a small, dedicated committee, elected annually by and from its playing membership. Many of its players are also members of other local and regional orchestral societies which meet weekly, but who are drawn to the challenge of focused working on attractive programmes over a short timescale, at which the Wolsey Orchestra excels.

Tickets for all our concerts are available from orchestral members, or from the Ipswich Arts and Entertainments Booking Office (01473 433100)

Wolsey Orchestra is a member of the Ipswich Arts Association. To find out more about the Association, its members, events and activities, and to read Images magazine online, visit www.ipswich-arts.org.uk

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