THEY are an up and coming young orchestra whose players show an extraordinary amount of dedication.
Once a month, musicians travel from all over the north of England to play in an orchestra based in Huddersfield.
Next weekend (June 15) the Northern Philharmonic Orchestra plays its summer concert at St Paul’s Hall in Huddersfield.
The orchestra was founded almost three years ago by two graduates of Huddersfield University, James Lyon and Yuki Kondo.
Its core members are present and former students of the university together with friends and other musicians from across the North.
“Once a month we all meet up in Huddersfield, usually on a Saturday, to rehearse at St Paul’s,” said James.
“It’s quite amazing how dedicated the musicians are. One travels from Durham every time just for a day’s rehearsal.
Not surprisingly with that sort of dedication, the orchestra tries to make its rehearsals part of a social day.
“It’s a very big part of the orchestra’s life, the social side,” said James.
“When people have put in the time travelling, they like to enjoy the rehearsal then have some down time together.
James, who is the orchestra’s conductor, travels in from Warrington where he is head of music at a secondary school.
“I did my degree in Huddersfield combining conducting and specialising in trumpet.
“I conducted various ensembles when I was at the university and it inspired me and a few others to start the orchestra.”
“We’ve been very lucky to have worked with SingLive and played at some really prestigious venues including the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester and the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.”
Next Saturday’s concert has a 3.30pm start time and features a programme of classical music with wide appeal.
The orchestra will play Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba and the Royal Fireworks as well as Beethoven’s Leonora Overture No 1 and his Symphony No 3, Eroica.
Tickets available at the door on the day, or email northernphilorchestra@gmail.com to reserve tickets in advance
