The Orchestra

Founded in 1953, The Canterbury Orchestra is a thriving group of enthusiastic players who regularly tackle major works from the symphonic repertoire. The orchestra meets to practice on Wednesday evenings during term time at The Old Sessions House, Christ Church University, Longport, Canterbury, CT1 1QU (opposite Barton Court school).

The Canterbury Orchestra performs 3 or 4 concerts each year.

Over the past few years, the orchestra has encouraged good young players to join and the membership currently includes a wide range of ages, from school pupils to seasoned musicians who have been playing with the orchestra for over 30 years: a productive blend of youth and experience. The young players form a mobile population, so it follows that there are occasional vacancies, particularly in the brass and string sections, and talented players are always welcome.

Spotlight

Donna Birrell joined the Orchestra late last year and has rapidly become an important contributor to its musical performance through leadership of the Second Violins.  She has a long-standing involvement in music, having played the violin and piano since the age of 7.   She studied for a BMus degree at Goldsmiths' College, London University and then trained as a primary school teacher.  She has remained musically active through her teaching and is now involved in teacher education at Canterbury Christ Church University.  As her own children became more independent Donna decided to re-engage with performing and joined the Canterbury Orchestra.  She immediately realized quite how much she had missed playing and has thoroughly enjoyed not only the opportunity to play new music but also the company and friendship of her fellow musicians.

Jo Wyatt was born in Harrow, North West London, and started playing piano and flute at the age of 8.  At 14 she took up the bassoon, having been told by her music teacher at school that you had to be slightly crazy to be a bassoonist; she jumped at the chance and knew immediately this was the instrument for her!  She took a music degree at Kingston University and has played with a number of amateur orchestras over the past 20 years.  She is delighted to now be a member of Canterbury Orchestra.  Jo also teaches piano to beginners of all ages.  After living in London all her life, Jo left for a quieter life in St Margaret’s with her partner Mark.  Life by the sea is great and life is so different in the country – she is still surprised when she finds herself in her car stuck behind a tractor!  Jo recently embarked on a new career as a community carer and is loving it!  She’s a massive yoga freak and works out regularly, taking part in at least one charity run a year. 

Hana Nohynkova joined the First Violins in the summer of 2009 when she arrived in Canterbury from the Czech Republic. Hana was pleased to find that the Orchestra provided a friendly and welcoming environment and has particularly enjoyed the opportunity to play some repertoire that was new to her, including the works of English composers rarely performed in her native country. Hana studied at the Charles University in Prague, then worked for several years as a music teacher and violin tutor. She has performed in many chamber and symphony orchestras and as a member of these ensembles played at concerts in the Czech Republic and across Europe. Hana is enjoying life in the UK and we consider ourselves fortunate that she chose to join Canterbury Orchestra.

Phil Vivian made the decision to return to playing after filling in at shortnotice for the orchestra in late 2010 and has since been reminded how much he missed it. Phil grew up in a small village near Guildford and studied for a BMus at the University of Surrey before going on to complete a PGCE at Roehampton University. He has both his mother and Flanders and Swan to thank for the choice of instrument as he spent many car journeys listening to their song about playing the French Horn. Despite being out of the professional circuit for sometime Phil has remained close to music and is currently a Music Teacher at a local secondary school. Always on the lookout for new challenges, Phil will be moving to east London for the start of the next academic year but has nevertheless promised to remain with the orchestra in appreciation for them helping him rediscover his love of playing music.

Amanda Wyatt was born in Folkestone and learnt violin & piano as a Junior Exhibitioner at Trinity College in London. Whilst a member of the Kent County Youth Orchestra she became a Music Scholar at the Kings School Canterbury where she studied violin with the late Clarence Myerscough and piano with Robert Scott,winning the Alan Ridout Piano Prize.

Amanda went on to study the violin at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama with Erich Gruenberg on the AGSM Performers Course. Whilst at GSMD Amanda was asked to promote the Yehudi Menuhin Competition through quartet performances in Kent which led to a tour of Germany with her quartet. 
After leaving Guildhall Amanda worked predominantly as a freelance chamber musician and in musical theatre leading orchestras for many professional productions. She is currently a member of the Kent Concert Orchestra, Crowther Chamber Ensemble and The Becker Ensemble, and recently led the orchestra for the Maidstone Choral Society’s performance of ‘Crazy for You’ and the Guildford School of Acting’s Graduation performances of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’. Amanda performed in many recitals locally as violinist with the Della Corte Piano Trio, and is very pleased to be returning to the position of leader to the Canterbury Orchestra.

Next Concert

Saturday March 31st at 7.30 pm

St Peter's Methodist Church, Canterbury CT1 2BE

Our next concert features a selection of works by Franz Schubert and Richard Strauss, composers who effectively bracket the Romantic school of art music, with Schubert (1797-1828) as one of its pioneers and Strauss (1864-1949) one of its most notable 20th Century adherents.  The programme begins with Schubert’s Quartettsatz, arranged for orchestra by our Musical Director Andrew Lowen; originally composed in 1820 as the first movement of a twelfth string quartet which was never completed, like several other works during this difficult period of Schubert’s life.   Strauss’ Oboe Concerto was written in 1945 during the final stages of his career and is considered one of the finest works ever composed for the instrument; we are very pleased to welcome Rosie Lowen as soloist. In contrast, the Serenade for 13 Winds is amongst his earliest works and is clearly modelled on Mozart’s Gran Partita, to which it stands as a fitting tribute.  Schubert’s Symphony no.6 is also an early work written when the composer was 20; exuberant, assured and clearly reflecting the musical ethos of the time with echoes of Haydn, Beethoven and Rossini. Tickets are £9.00 for adults and only £3.00 for children of school age and students.  They are available on the door, from the Secretary on 01227 751196, and online through WeGotTickets by clicking on the button below.. 

Interested in playing with the Canterbury Orchestra?

Call Nicky Pound, Canterbury Orchestra Manager on 01304 812755 or email us to find out whether we have vacancies.