Latest News


  • Freddy Kempf becomes Patron of Canterbury Symphony Orchestra
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  •  Date Posted: Sat, 12 Apr 2025
    Freddy Kempf becomes Patron of Canterbury Symphony Orchestra
    We are delighted to announce Freddy Kempf as Patron of the Canterbury Symphony Orchestra
     
    The Canterbury Symphony Orchestra is delighted to welcome internationally renowned pianist Freddy Kempf as our new Patron.
     
    Freddy has strong ties to Canterbury, having grown up in the area before rising to national prominence as BBC Young Musician of the Year in 1993.

    Since then, his career has taken him around the world, performing with leading orchestras. Recent highlights include recitals in Tokyo and Osaka as part of his 2023 Japan tour, and performances of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Westdeutsche Sinfonia in Leverkusen and the Vivaldi Orchestra in Milan. His 2024/25 season will include recitals at the Seoul Winter Festival, a UK tour with the Brno Philharmonic, and a series of UK recitals with the Malta Philharmonic. Critics have hailed his performances for their “astonishing technical brilliance” (The Times) and “thrilling blend of sensitivity and power” (The Guardian).
     
    Freddy is passionate about supporting emerging young musicians, nurturing the next generation of talent, and ensuring that music is accessible to all. His dedication to improving local music opportunities aligns with the CSO’s mission to inspire and develop young talent in our community. 
     
    We are honoured to have Freddy’s support and artistic guidance as Patron of the CSO and look forward to an exciting future together.
     
    Look out for future dates where Freddy will be performing with the CSO.

     
    For more information, see: https://www.canterburyorchestra.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=Patron
  • Young Players wanted!
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 14 Jan 2025
    Canterbury Youth Symphony Orchestra ?

    We are excited to announce the first of our Canterbury Youth Symphony Orchestra ventures. 

    We are looking for talented young musicians, aged 16 and over, to join CSO for a series of rehearsals. culminating in a performance on March 26th. The programme will include music from the Planets, Star Wars and John Adam's 'Short ride in a fast machine'. This is a fantastic opportunity forthose who are Grade 7+ standard, and.who play an orchestral instrument to gain experience playing in a full symphony orchestra under the expert tuition of Musical Director, Joe Davies https://www.joedaviesconductor.com 

    Please get in touch via our website to the committee (Orchestral Manager or the Chair) or DM on instagram for more details. No previous experience in an orchestra is required, but players need to be over 16, or in Year 12 or 13 at school, and working at Grade 7+ standard. We are particularly looking for Percussionists and Brass players however, all applications are welcome to all sections. 
    For more information, see: www.instagram.com/canterbury_symphony_orchestra/
  • CSO is on Instagram!
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  •  Date Posted: Sun, 12 Jan 2025
    Please click on the link and follow us for updates about concerts, events, rehearsals and music in Canterbury and the county of Kent. 

    We are a thriving community of talented amateur musicians, playing under the masterful baton of Joe Davis in Canterbury.

    Canterbury Symphony Orchestra is located in the heart of Kent's stunning cathedral city. with our concert home at the Gulbenkian Theatre https://thegulbenkian.co.uk/events/poland-and-paris/
    For more information, see: www.instagram.com/canterbury_symphony_orchestra/
  • New Players wanted!
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 10 Jan 2025
    CSO started their 2025 rehearsal series this week, and despite sleet and ice the hall was full as Musical Director, Joe Davis, led work on the final movement of Tchaikovsky 3.

    We were delighted to welcome more new players to our string section, and we are keen to grow our membership of all the string sections, and our brass section too. If you are Grade 7+, and looking to join us on a Wednesday evening 7.30 - 9.30, please get in touch (via our contact page) with our orchestral manager, or via our instagram page DMs. https://www.instagram.com/canterbury_symphony_orchestra/ @canterbury_symphony_orchestra

     
    For more information, see: www.instagram.com/canterbury_symphony_orchestra/
  • Oare Orchestra concert 28 September
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  •  Date Posted: Sun, 22 Sep 2024
    Oare Orchestra concert 28 September
  • MASP @ St Pauls present Kammerphilharmonie Europa
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024
    MASP @ St Pauls present Kammerphilharmonie Europa
    Tickets can be booked in advance at masp1811@aol.com
    For more information, see: www.musicatstpeters.org.uk
  • Crisantemi Quartet
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2024
    Crisantemi Quartet
    Canterbury Orchestra's very own Kalyan Gillett will play Haydn's 'Seven Last Words of Christ' with the Crisantemi Quartet on Saturday March 23rd 7:45pm St. Thomas of Canterbury RC Church Canterbury 59 Burgate
  • Orchestra members support Canterbury Ukrainian Ladies Choir
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 3 Aug 2023
    Orchestra members support Canterbury Ukrainian Ladies Choir
    Two members of the Canterbury Orchestra- Joanna Chapman (oboe) and her husband David (clarinet) have been supporting the Canterbury Ukrainian ladies choir, who recently performed a concert at St Mildred's Church, Canterbury.  

    Joanna conducts and David arranges the music and plays the piano. It's brilliant to see members of the orchestra supporting the local community. 

    For more information, see: https://canterbury4ukraine.org/2023/06/22/thank-you-from-c4u-ladies-choir/
  • Concert review: Sunday 2 April 2023
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 10 Apr 2023
    After all our hard work, we received a glowing review from Lark Reviews for our concert on Sunday 2 April 2023. Read it here!
  • We're looking for a new Music Director!
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  •  Date Posted: Sun, 26 Mar 2023
    Canterbury Orchestra is looking for a new Music Director! We're seeking an experienced MD with real enthusiasm for working with amateur musicians, strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire us to ever-higher standards. For full details contact manager@canterburyorchestra.org.uk.

    Closing date for applications: 21 April 2023
  • Our New Leader: Flo Peycelon
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 1 Jun 2022
    We're thrilled to announce that Flo Peycelon will be joining us as leader of Canterbury Orchestra in September 2022.

    Flo is a terrific violinist, with a wide range of experience working with amateur musicians. We're looking forward to working with her as she leads the orchestra to ever higher standards.
  • Collection for DEC Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 31 Mar 2022

    The orchestra raised £450 for the DEC Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal at our Spring 2022 concert. Many thanks to our audience, who gave so generously.