Latest News


  • Warwick Arts Centre - May 25th 2024
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 3 Jul 2024

    SING IT LOUD - A COMMUNITY CHOIR CELEBRATION

    by Tenor Saxophonist Joe Reynolds

    The Sing it Loud concert at the Butterworth Hall, Warwick Arts Centre has been one of Seb Farrall's more ambitious projects. The concert, to celebrate the tenth year of the Sing it Loud choir, required the bringing together of two choirs and the City of Culture Orchestra. How he managed to get that number of people onto the same stage at the same time suitably suited and booted I don’t know, but he did and what a show. 

    The word ‘eclectic’ is often overused, but there are few others in the thesaurus that cover the repertoire that Seb had prepared for the evening’s entertainment. Pop music, popular classics, hymns and World War II nostalgia along with pyrotechnics and audience participation gave the concert a genuine celebratory ambience. Both the near sell-out audience and the performers left feeling that they had just attended the best party in town.

    The evening began with The Appian Way, a march that started as a whisper before gradually building into a fanfare of brass and percussion while the choir filed on to the stage. Once all the performers were settled the show opened with the song Celebration. Lights flashed and streamers dropped from the ceiling, this was a party, and everyone must join in, hands must be clapped, singing along was to be encouraged.

    The show continued with Adiemus and Amazing Grace before Seb brought the lights up in order to give the audience instruction on clapping in time. This led to a wild rendition of the William Tell Overture with Seb controlling both orchestra and audience, giving the impression that he possessed more than the regulatory two arms.



    The Show Must Go On
    with numbers from Queen, Leonard Cohen, and Carly Simon before the audience was asked to participate once more, this time with the singing, for a medley of songs by Abba. The first half of the show ended with a visit to the world of musical theatre and opera. First, from the musical Dear Evan Hanson, You Will be Found, followed by two Puccini arias: the second being Seb’s arrangement of Nessun Dorma. This is arguably the most well-known operatic aria in the world. It was sung on the evening by Leah Adams and what a performance. The popularity of this aria means that everyone, orchestra and audience, even the ushers, knows the piece intimately. They know just when that top note arrives and exactly what it should sound like, no pressure then? Her performance was superb, and I doubt I was alone in allowing myself a tear at the finale.

    The second half began with a rousing rendition of O Fortuna followed by Coldplay’s Fix You complete with snowflakes and confetti drifting down from the rafters. Not everyone in the orchestra was expecting this, the baritone sax player could be seen frantically trying to stop the paper falling into the bell of her instrument while not missing a note of the score. A nostalgic arrangement of the Andrews Sisters song, Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree, followed by the Hymn, Total Praise before the orchestra showcased its talent with the ever-popular Jupiter from Holst’s Planet Suite. The mood changed for the choir to perform Anthony Silvestri and Eric Whitacre’s Sleep, ‘a cappella’ style followed by Sing it Loud's accompanist Erica Avery's arrangement of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misèrables.

    The show now moved up tempo with Seb’s arrangement of Africanna, based on the TOTO song followed by the Latin American dance number, Livin’ la Vida Loca. The show was bought to an end with the Intermezzo and Easter Hymn from Cavalleria rusticana.

    Of course there was an encore, no one wants to go home from a party. Seb returned to the stage to lead the orchestra in a medley of tunes from West Side Story and rounded off the night by encouraging the audience, once more, to join in with Dancing Queen.

    This was a celebration, a coming together for the orchestra and the choirs. How it all worked? None of us knew, but it did. Everyone I spoke to after the show, musicians, singers and audience, some who had never attended an orchestral concert before, said that they had thoroughly enjoyed their night.
     


     


     
  • Hymns of Praise 2024
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 27 Jun 2024

    Hymns of Praise 2024 - 23rd June 2024

    by Alto Saxophonist Don Brown

    On Sunday afternoon 23 June 2024, the Coventry City of Culture Orchestra and it’s conductor, the incredible Seb Farrall, led the singing for a Hymns of Praise service at the Methodist Central Hall.  Now Songs of Praise on television may be an acquired taste, but the aim of Seb and the orchestra is to raise the excitement, challenge and enjoyment of the hymns and songs.

    The introduction and first hymn were Love Divine All Loves Excelling by Charles Wesley, the driving force behind the start of the Methodist Church. He wrote over 6,500 hymns. The tune was a Welsh composition by William Penfro Rowlands.  Lots of different instruments picked up the melody for each verse and others provided the harmony and colour to the piece.

    After a prayer, the second song was the lovely King of Kings, Majesty.  The lyrical composition made the musicians feel for that sound which provides beauty and encourages the singing.  Then, after a Bible reading, there was an arrangement of the popular Amazing Grace. The hymn originated from the life of John Newton, a slave trader, who nearly died in a shipwreck, and as a result, became a minister of religion. Seb created an arrangement (because it has a special meaning for him and his wife Fran) It was full of subtleties and it built to a climax with brass and sax fanfares.

    The Rev Claire McCarther, a member of the orchestra, then prayed a lovely prayer, while the orchestra played the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana.  A contrast was the next song by Graham Kendrick which is a rocking, bouncing, piece with the title Shine, Jesus, Shine arranged by the orchestra's Contrabass Clarinet player, Paul Wellicome.  This was followed by a Bible reading and a message from the Central Hall minister, Rev. Stephen Willey.

    I must admit to a connection with the next hymn. I have followed jazz since the heady days of the trad jazz revival in the 50s and 60s. I must have half a dozen different versions of Just a Closer Walk with Thee, a hymn that’s been around a long time. We acquired an arrangement that started with an orchestral feeling, then after a 3-bar drum break, swung into a New Orleans marching band style. You can hear the same hymn played as a dirge at the start of a New Orleans funeral on YouTube.  It was great fun to play, but has some serious thoughts behind it.

    The Hymns of Praise ended with the rousing hymn How Great Thou Art and again the different sections of the orchestra played their part in providing contrast, interest and passion. There were many appreciative comments after the session had finished.

    Don Brown
    Alto Sax

  • A look back into SPACE!
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 9 Feb 2024
    A look back into SPACE!

    Family Space Concert, February 3rd 2024

    by Tenor Saxophonist Joe Reynolds

    The Coventry City of Culture Orchestra’s first concert of 2024 saw Mission Controller, Sebastian Farrall, take us into the realms of space travel and science fiction. Billed as a Fancy Dress Family Concert, both the audience and the orchestra were encouraged to dress for the occasion. Neither disappointed. There were more Lady Penelopes, Jedis and Princess Leias than any conductor could shake his lightsaber at.

        Families always feel welcome at the Central Hall concerts, and the area set aside, where children could enjoy the concert without the restriction of formal seating, proved popular. People did mention this aspect of our performances and appreciate the way that youngsters can enjoy the music in a relaxed setting.

        The show opened at 3.00 pm, with the ubiquitous Also Sprach Zarathustra; Elvis did not enter the room. Seb swapped his lightsaber for a glowstick, and blast-off followed a mass countdown into the theme from Thunderbirds and fireworks from the balcony. A huge, illuminated globe of planet earth hovered above the orchestra and laser lights sprinkled the ceiling adding to the extra-terrestrial atmosphere.

        “Engaging” was one audience member's reaction to the show, they felt they were part of the experience and enjoyed the informality of the event. The audience were not only being treated to a musical voyage of the galaxies, but also to an excursion around the orchestra. Seb introduced them to each planetary section between pieces, explaining their sound and function within the orchestra.

        Vocalist Richard White joined the orchestra for an arrangement of Fly me to the Moon before Starship USS Enterprise brought us safely to the kid’s fancy dress parade. The children, now in their element, showed off their costumes while members of the orchestra tried to make themselves invisible behind their music stand, hoping not to be picked to be a judge. Time may stand still for Timelords, but for the rest of us a selection of Dr Who themes ended the first half of the program.

        The adults put just as much effort and enthusiasm into the fancy dress aspect of the show as the children. It was humbling to see the effort so many people had put in to this part of the event. The opening bars from E.T (The Extra Terrestrial) were instantly recognised, as the lights dropped for the second part of the show. Members of the audience were then invited to have a go at conducting an orchestra. The Blue Danube Waltz has rarely seen so many changes of tempo. Buzz Lightyear (there were several, one in the sax section) took us to infinity and beyond in an arrangement of You've Got a Friend in Me by saxophonist Colin Charman.

        Planet Percussion put on a superb display of both tuned and untuned instruments that bought us to the ‘finale’, a version of David Bowie’s Life on Mars, arranged by clarinettist Morag Clark. They thought it was all over; did anyone believe that? The show finally came down to earth with a medley of Star Wars themes and more fireworks.

        Listening to the comments after the show from both friends and strangers makes all this worthwhile. A superb Saturday afternoon’s entertainment.

    Our thanks extend to sponsors of the event: Small Firms Services Ltd., Candice Harris Photography & The Cottage Inn Fillongley, and also photographer Lucy Duncombe for taking pictures at the event.
  • Festival Chorus 2023 Registration OPEN
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 7 Feb 2023
    Festival Chorus 2023 Registration OPEN
    Hello Friends!

    Festival Chorus Registration is now OPEN. All of the details are on the page linked below, but the key piece of information is that the concert is on June 10th at Coventry Central Hall!

    All details here: https://www.coventryorchestra.co.uk/chorusregistration23 

    Please spread this far and wide. We had a fantastic group of singers last year, and I’m very keen to repeat that success! 

    All the best,
    Seb. 

    Sebastian Farrall
    Artistic Director
  • We're now fundraising!
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 2 Feb 2023
    Did you know we can support our orchestra by raising money every time we shop online? Support that means we can become better resourced to spread music through our City, and it doesn’t cost us a penny!

    We’re using easyfundraising, a free fundraising platform that allows us to earn money when we shop online. easyfundraising works with over 7,000 online retailers, everyone from Tesco, eBay, Sports Direct, M&S, Boots, Just Eat, Booking.com, and everything in between.

    Once signed up all you need to do is start your shopping journey at the easyfundraising website, use the browser extension or app (information will be provided when you register) and the retailer you shop with will send us a free donation based on how much you spend

    With the cost of living impacting everyone, this isn’t about asking you to spend more, but to make you aware that if you are making an on-line purchase anyway that by using easyfundraising you can give to us at the same time and at no additional cost to you. 

    So please support us if you can by registering yourself today at http://efraising.org/iart6Ud2P0 it only takes 2 minutes and all you need is your email address.

    Please also share with your friends and family if they would also like to help – the more the better to raise much needed funds!
     
  • 2022/23 Performances
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  •  Date Posted: Thu, 20 Oct 2022
    2022/23 Performances
     
    Dear Friends of The Coventry City of Culture Orchestra,

    I'm pleased to report that the orchestra has re-formed since the summer break, and have enjoyed making music together in the Main Hall at Coventry Central Hall since the end of September. We are busy preparing for a number of performances in the coming few months:
    • November 5th 2022 @ 1:30pm - Coventry Central Hall Showcase
      • An event hosted by the ‘Central Creatives’ team from the Central Hall, celebrating some of the performing arts who rehearse or who are connected to Central Hall. Our orchestra is the headline act, and will be supported by: Ann Atkins; Fridays Choir; Ruda Mvundura; WorldSong; Coventry Adult Education Service Dance; African Drum & Dance UK; Dangermouse (The Poet); & Choir With No Name, Coventry.
      • Tickets are available from eventbrite, and include refreshments in the interval. Advance booking only. 
      • TICKETS: £1 (Under 12) | £4 (Unwaged) and £7.50. Profits raised will support Central Hall creative projects.
      • www.coventryorchestra.co.uk/showcase
    • December 18th 2022 @ 2:00pm - Coventry Central Hall Carol Service 
      • This event in 2021 was the first ever performance for the Orchestra, and was a fantastic and musical way to celebrate Christmas. The 2022 event will be no different! 
      • Admission is free, and no prior booking is needed. 
      • Minced pies and mulled beverages will be served from 1:30pm.
      • www.coventryorchestra.co.uk/carols
    • January 21st 2023 @ 3:00pm - Family Concert
      • Our brand-new Family Concert series is aimed at inspiring younger people (in age and at heart!) with the amazing world of the orchestra, and will also end our winter 2022/23 term.
      • As with all our concerts, we will aim to make the programme fast-paced, featuring music from Film and TV, as well as from the amazing music which has fuelled orchestras for centuries. A perfect variety for all of the family!
      • Make sure to arrive to Central Hall early, as we are also going to be supported by the fantastic Coventry Music service, who will not only showcase one of their ensembles, but will also be bringing some musical instruments (and tutors!) for the next generation of musicians to try before our concert starts. 
      • Some of the music featured:
        • How To Train Your Dragon
        • Rhapsody in Blue (Soloist: M Philip Enscott)
        • Jupiter (from The Planets Suite)
        • Beauty and the Beast
        • The Hebrides Overture
        • …and more!
      • TICKETS: Full Price: £7 | Under 18s: £1 | Under 12s: FREE (but still need a pre-booked ticket, and to be accompanied by an adult)
      • www.coventryorchestra.co.uk/family
    Glancing to the summer term of next year, we also look forward to the following concerts:
    • June 10th 2023 @ 7:30pm - Celebration Concert (featuring the Festival Chorus)
      • This will be the second generation of 'Celebration Concert', building on the sell-out concert on the 2nd April earlier this year. Get your tickets early, as we expect another sell-out event!
      • TICKETS: Full Price: £8 | Under 18s: £5 | Under 12s: £4
      • www.coventryorchestra.co.uk/concert 
    As you can see, we have a wonderful year of music-making ahead of us, and it would be our pleasure and delight to have as many of you join as possible. Please also feel free to share this email around to other friends or family who may be interested in any of our events. 

    Thank you for your continued support.

    Sebastian Farrall
    Artistic Director
    Coventry City of Culture Orchestra
    www.coventryorchestra.co.uk
  • 2022/23 Season Overview
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 13 Jul 2022
    Hello Friends, 

    Please see the attatchment for an overview of the 2022/23 Season.

    Enjoy!
    Attachment:
  • A glimpse into the future!
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  •  Date Posted: Wed, 22 Jun 2022
    A glimpse into the future!
    This afternoon it has been exciting to have a flick through some (provisional!) dates for the 2022/23 season, and life past City of Culture. We can’t wait to get playing again after the summer break!

    We are open to new joiners too 🎻🎶🥁🎺🪗🪕. If you’d like to register your interest, please head to www.coventryorchestra.co.uk/getinvolved

    We discussed the options of repeating some of the events we performed during the residency as well as adding a few new events to our 2022/23 season, including a family concert in January aimed at encouraging young ears to listen to some exciting music...which may in turn set them on a path of learning an instrument, and, perhaps, in many years time, even joining us on the stage!

    While we've got you, please pardon the current state of the website. We're currently in the process of bringing all of the information up-to-date.
     
  • A post from some musical friends:
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  •  Date Posted: Mon, 7 Feb 2022
    A message from our friends:

    The National Scout and Guide Concert Orchestra along with our guests the Birmingham Scout and Guide Gang Show Choir will be performing at Coventry Methodist Central Hall on Saturday 9 April at 7pm. 

     
    The Coventry and Nuneaton Methodist Church Circuit have invited us as part of the Coventry year of celebration as the City of Culture. Tickets are now on sale at £8 for adults and are free for U16. They can be bought at tickets.nsgso.com or alternatively by phoning 07517 693474.
     
    In addition to the above 2 ensembles the smaller groups of the Strings Ensemble, Wind Ensemble and Big Band will also be playing at this concert.
     
    We do hope that you can join us.
     
    Jill Bowman
    NSGSO and NSGCB Manager
    National Scout & Guide Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band
     NSGSO and NSGCB     @nsgso_nsgcb       nsgso_and_nsgcb
    Attachment:
  • COMPOSITION COMPETITION OPEN
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 28 Sep 2021
    We are very excited to be launching our composition competition.

    With a grand prize of £1500 for the Open category and £500 for the Youth category, we are hoping to encourage lots of composers to take part!

    Submissions must be made via email to Sebastian Farrall at director@coventryorchestra.co.uk
    You will be given a confirmation of delivery within a few days. If you get no confirmation, please resubmit your composition. 

    Submissions must be made by midnight on the 1st January 2022, and you must include whether you are entering the Youth (up to 25) or Open categories. If you are entering the youth category, you must include your date of birth. 

    You submission must include:
    • Score, either as a PDF or Sibelius file. 
    • Audio file, either MP3, WAV, MIDI, or a standard Sibelius file.
    • Parts for the orchestra, either as a PDF or Sibelius file. 

    You may include a short biography about yourself, and an introduction to your piece. 

    You may include electronics for your performance, but there must be a substantially live element to the work.

    Our concert theme is "Celebrating Coventry", so any musical reference to this is welcome!

    The Coventry City of Culture Orchestra is not a professional ensemble, so please be mindful of this when writing parts. 

    Only works which have not previously won any competitions may be submitted, and the Coventry City of Culture Orchestra reserve the right for the worldwide premiere of the winning works. 

    Your work should be between 3-6 minutes long. 

    The instruments we have in the orchestra:
    Flutes (up to 11 - All play C flute, but can double including various piccolos, and one alto)
    Oboe / Cor Anglais (2)
    Clarinets (15, including A, Bb, Eb, and Bass)
    Eb Alto Saxophone (5)
    Bb Tenor Saxophone (4)
    Eb Baritone Saxophone (1)
    Bassoons (2)
    French Horns (4)
    Trumpets (6)
    Trombones (4)
    Tuba (1)
    Percussion (3 including a hand-drumming expert, bodhran and washboard, and the normal orchestral percussion)
    Piano (1)
    Organ (1)
    Guitar (3 Electric, Bass, Ukulele)
    Violins (20)
    Violas (6)
    Cellos (6)
    Double Basses (2)
    Accordion (1)
    Sitar (1)
    Harmonium (1)

    You may also choose to include choir, but this is optional. 

    As we have quite a large orchestra, some doubling of parts is common. You may also choose to not include every instrument. 

    If you choose to include choir, you can write your own lyrics or instead use the poem "Words from the Earth", written by Poet Laureate and fellow Central Hall Artist in Residence Emilie Lauren Jones. You may slightly modify the lyrics if desired. 

    (Please note that copyright on these lyrics remains with Emilie Lauren Jones and cannot be reproduced or performed without express permission, or other than for the sole purpose of this competition.)


     

    When the warm breeze whispers words across the waters,

    like the gentle droplets, we’re all sons and daughters

    of the same streams.

    Can you hear me?

     

    When the sun is shining and the planes draw white lines,

    like the saplings rising, it’s the same soil 

    we all thrive on,

    Can you hear me?

     

    When the moon is hidden and the TV flickers,

    it’s a cold room, but someone cares still

    hope will hold your hand,

    Can you hear me?

     

    In the breeze that whispers,

    in the sun that shimmers,

    in the moon that’s hidden,

    yes, I hear you. 

    God we hear you.


    Judging will commence in the new year, by Artistic Director Sebastian Farrall and professional composer and arranger Dean Jones. The top tier of submissions will then be performed by the Orchestra during rehearsals in January (13 & 20) who will then vote on their favourite. If your piece is being performed, you will be invited to come along and listen. 

    The winning piece from each category will be performed at our final celebration concert on April 2nd, 2022. 
    https://www.coventryorchestra.co.uk/concert

    If you have any questions at all, then please feel free to get in touch - mailbox@coventryorchestra.co.uk

    Good luck, and have fun! 

    Sebastian Farrall
    Artistic Director
    Coventry City of Culture Orchestra



     

  • 6 days to go!
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  •  Date Posted: Fri, 17 Sep 2021
    Well well well! Preparations are in full swing to get the Orchestra up and off the ground next week (Thursday 23rd). 

    We have a huge amount of musicians signed up, raring to go, and lots of exciting music ready and waiting to come to life. 

    Just a reminder that our rehearsals are for those registered musicians only. We currently have a full roster, so aren't accepting any 'drop-in' musicians. If you'd like to join the waiting list, please head to the 'Get Involved' page. 
  • Registration closing soon!
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 13 Jul 2021

    We have a truly fantastic number of musicians signed up to be a part of The Coventry City of Culture Orchestra. 

    Registrations for the orchestra will close next week (19th July!) so that I can prepare the music for September...so get moving! Please see a list below of the instruments and availability:

    The orchestra needs:
    • Viola
    • Contrabassoon 
    • Instruments from other cultures (eg. Indian and African)
    There is limited space for:
    • Violin
    • Cello
    • Guitar / Electric Guitar
    • Bass Guitar
    • Percussion
    Instruments which are now fully subscribed:
    • Flute (incl. Picc.)
    • Clarinet (incl. Bass Clarinet)
    • Saxophone
    • Piano / Organ
    • Trumpet
    • Trombone
    • French Horn
    Please be aware that if your instrument becomes over-subscribed you may have to join the waiting list. 

    Thank you! 

    Seb Farrall
    Artistic Director
  • Project launch - Coventry City of Culture Orchestra
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 4 May 2021


    To celebrate Coventry’s City of Culture, local musician, Seb Farrall, is calling on all musicians to get involved in an exciting project.

    To celebrate Coventry’s City of Culture, local musician, Seb Farrall, is calling on all instrumentalists to get involved in an exciting musical project.

    As part of Coventry Central Hall’s City of Culture “Artists in Residence Programme” (AiR), Seb is starting a brand new orchestra. The AiR programme is funded by Coventry and Nuneaton Methodist circuit and supported by Methodist Church at Coventry Central Hall. Membership of the orchestra is open to all and rehearsals begin in September, working towards a large-scale celebration concert in April 2022 at Central Hall.

    Seb encourages everyone to get their instrument out whether well-versed or slightly rusty:

    “Making music in a large ensemble has been a very important part of my life, for as long as I can remember. Something magical happens when people get together to make music, and I’m very excited to be leading a project to celebrate our city of culture in this way.”

    While the orchestra won’t be for complete beginners, those who have perhaps let their instrument collect dust for many years are encouraged to sign up and come along, as well as those who are more up-to-date with their skills. We also welcome players of instruments which don’t normally feature in an orchestra.

    Seb added:

    “I know so many people who played an instrument when they were younger and have just stopped playing for a variety of reasons.  My hope is that these people will be encouraged to once again get their instruments out and enjoy this great opportunity to celebrate the City of Culture through music.”

    The repertoire of the concert will be celebrating Coventry, and will be inspired by reaching out to the people of Coventry themselves. The concert repertoire will be wide-reaching, encompassing both the traditional Orchestral works linked to Coventry, but also some songs from the Pop/Rock genre:

    “I’m also very keen to include both performers and music of diversity that an orchestra wouldn’t normally include. Coventry is a city which represents many cultures and this concert will reflect that.”

    The celebration concert will feature a ‘Festival Chorus’, amalgamating local choirs and singers, as well as featuring already existing ensembles performing in their own right who perhaps normally wouldn’t get the opportunity to perform on the big stage.

    “In my time of making music as a conductor, I have come to realise that the most important thing has always been people. The music gets better when the performers are socially and emotionally in sync and I know that this orchestra will be a fun, enjoyable, and special experience for anyone who joins.”

    “I can’t think of anything better to bring people together in order to celebrate our shared culture, especially after a year that has left no room for this sort of music making.”

    To encourage up-and-coming composers, we are also hosting a composition competition, with the winning work being premiered at the concert. There are two categories: Open and Youth, with prizes of £1500 and £500.

    “Having entered, and won a runner up prize myself in a similar competition as an A level student, I know how encouraging this can be and is what ultimately started my journey in studying music composition at Coventry University.”

    “If you have some great ideas of songs or pieces of music which represent Coventry (however tangential!), or would like to be involved with the orchestra itself, head to coventryorchestra.co.uk to find out more. Remember, whether your instrument would feature in an orchestra normally or not, we need you, and you are welcome here!”

    The project will be led by local conductor Seb Farrall, who came to Coventry in 2011 to study Music Composition at Coventry University, and since graduation in 2014 with a First Class Degree has continued to live and work in the area. Seb was tutored in conducting by Christopher Evans as student conductor of the University Orchestral Ensemble, and has continued to take those skills daily into his professional life. Seb currently directs six choirs who meet regularly, as well as being involved in other projects.

    Although Seb is known predominantly as a choral director, it is a well-known fact that choirs and orchestras go together well, and Seb has taken the baton numerous times harnessing upwards of 100 musicians with both choir and orchestra. Seb has also had the privilege of travelling the world as a percussionist, and playing in some famous concert halls such as The London O2 Arena and the Albert Hall. For more information about Seb, head to this page. 
     

    To get involved with any aspect of this project, head to the Get involved page where you can take part! 

  • Festival Chorus - Calling all singers!
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 4 May 2021
    We are very excited to announce that the celebration concert in April 2022 will also feature a ‘Festival Chorus’, amalgamating local choirs and singers. Choir and orchestra together are a well-established pairing, and this concert will celebrate that. With an ecclectic mix of repertoire, this one will sure be a highlight and one not to miss. 

    More information will be released soon, but make sure that you signup via this webpage to register your interest. 

    There will be two choir-only rehearsals at Central Hall (currently penciled in at 7:30-10pm on Fri 7th January 2022, and Fri 4th February 2022), with a full ensemble rehearsal 1pm-6pm on Sat 12th March 2022. 

    Resources will also be avliable to choirs and individual singers to learn parts from home. This includes guide tracks for learning music. 
  • Composition Competition
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  •  Date Posted: Tue, 4 May 2021

    To continue to support the musical development, we are also hosting a composition composition, with the winning works being premiered at the concert. There are two categories: Open and Youth, with prizes of £1,500 (Open) and £500 (Youth).

    Having myself entered (and won a runner up prize!) a similar competition as an A level student, I know how encouraging this can be and is what ultimately started my journey to studying music composition at Coventry University.

    Such is the excitement of this project is that we don't know the musical forces we have, so we can't launch the competition yet. Please register your interest via this google form, and we will contact you when the competition launches. 
     


    The competition will be judged by the Orchestra Artist Director Seb Farrall and professional Composer and Arranger Dean Jones:
     

    From graduating in 1998 at Kingston University with a BA Hons in Music, Dean Haydn Jones has been writing music for publishers ever since.

    With now over 150 publications at present to his name and compositions on numerous CDs and DVDs, Dean has enjoyed a successful decade as a frequent contributor of both instrumental and vocal music for artists and publishing houses across the globe.

    His piece for brass band entitled Glorifico Aeternum (2003) was performed at the Royal Albert Hall, London in July 2004 and since then, the piece has been performed in major concert halls around the world. Supremacy (2006) was the title track of the International Staff Band's CD recording in 2007 and pieces such as El es el Senor and Faithful God have also proved popular in the brass band repertoire. Two recent major works, Validus Deus and Vista were recently recorded by the North York Temple Salvation Army band and featured during their UK tour in May 2013.

    Dean is also the Managing Director of Glorifico Ltd., a brand-new, bespoke music services company. It’s aim is to enhance and cultivate communities through music. Within it’s ethos is fostering development through creativity, interaction and partnership with all kinds of organisations. 

    www.glorifico.co.uk

     


    Photo by Ylanite Koppens from Pexels

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