Harrogate Symphony Orchestra

ABOUT HARROGATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Harrogate Symphony Orchestra can trace its roots back to 1931 and is one of the UK’s leading amateur orchestras. We rehearse and perform a wide range of music to large audiences and to a high standard. Our regular concerts feature both established favourites and some lesser-known works, and we have been joined by several star soloists over the years.

We were delighted to be able to perform a full programme of concerts in 2022, including a wonderful summer ‘Around the World’ themed event and a memorable ‘Family Fun Time’ concert – in which we were proud to showcase some great classical music to a younger audience.

Our performing ‘home’ is Harrogate, but we actually rehearse in Knaresborough. (See the ‘Join Us’ pages for more information on this. Our musicians come from far and wide, including Knaresborough, Wetherby, Leeds, Bingley, Ripon, York, Otley, Keighley, Pontefract, Garforth, Wakefield and even as far as Hull! Ages range from 15 to 85 – and we are all joined by a love of making music.

Star soloists in the last few years have included have included Laura van der Heijden (cello), Matilda Lloyd (trumpet), Julian Saphir (pianist – from Harrogate), Marika van der Meer (soprano) and Aquarelle Guitar Quartet. For a full list see the link to Soloists.

Our aims have always been the same: to give players a chance to explore a wide range of orchestral music on a regular basis and to present concerts to as wide an audience as possible.

For some 30 years we have tried to encourage youth music too, through workshops, free tickets for those aged 14 and under, and concerts specifically designed for children. In June 2013, for example, we held a special Kids’ Concert featuring puppets from the Jim Henson workshop, which attracted over 760 happy and enthusiastic young people. We have also established links with the Harrogate Music Centre. For example, HSO members have attended special Saturday morning rehearsals to ‘fill in gaps’ and give young players the chance to play with a larger band.

Many of our soloists come from YCAT (Young Classical Artists Trust) and are absolutely inspiring to work with. They always tell us how impressed they are by the standard of our orchestra and comment on the professionalism of our accompaniment. As well as attracting national and international soloists, we also encourage local musicians including younger artists to perform with us.

UPCOMING CONCERTS

Harrogate Symphony Orchestra generally performs four concerts each year. In March, June and November/December our programmes feature the orchestra and guests, and these concerts are in the Royal Hall.

Details of our forthcoming concerts are listed below, along with a link to purchase tickets – or you can visit the Harrogate Theatre Box Office on Cambridge Street.

The younger generation

If you would like to bring children to our concerts, they will be very welcome – in fact children aged 14 and under, and accompanied by a paying adult, receive free tickets for our regular Winter, Spring and Summer concerts! (Other arrangements may be in place for additional events). We would only ask that parents ensure that their children’s appreciation of the performance does not affect the experience of other audience members.

Concert FAQs

Concerts start at 7:30pm and usually finish between 9:30 and 10:00pm. Please note that to ensure that we comply with copyright and licensing rules, recordings are not permitted. However we often record our concerts and it is possible to listen to excerpts on our ‘Listen’ page.