About Alton Concert Orchestra
Performing Great Music • Encouraging Young Talent
Our repertoire is wide and varied to suit all tastes and ranges from classical symphonies to show music incorporating big band and swing. Whatever your musical taste it should be well provided for. We have a policy of welcoming anyone without the requirement of an audition and maintain no restrictions on section size within the orchestra. However at the discretion of the Musical Director, we may occasionally have to operate a waiting list for certain oversubscribed instruments.
The music we typically play will require someone of at least Grade 5 standard but exams are not expected. The age range of players encompasses year 9 school musicians to retired members. We offer the opportunity for school players to stretch their playing ability.
In 2024 we welcomed accomplished Clarion® player, Alessandro Vazzana, into our orchestra. The Clarion® is a new instrument which opens the world of music performance to disabled artists like Alessandro, who plays using a gyroscopic head mouse. Alessandro recently finished his time with the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) and in Summer 2024 formed a Clarion trio with two fellow NOYO members, and joined our orchestra that September. We are pleased to be the first mainstream orchestra to welcome this new instrument to its ranks. To find out more: BBC The Clarion: The accessible musical instrument trying to find its soul
The Orchestra is run by a committee and the involvement of members is encouraged and welcomed. Members pay a termly fee to cover costs. We pride ourselves on our friendly, hardworking approach to our music making. We welcome opportunities to perform locally in aid of community causes.
We are led by Sim Jones and Kati Turner, musical direction is by Sam Hairsine.
Chair: Anne Edward
Treasurer: Sue Bradbury
Membership Secretary: Megan Russell
Librarian: Michael Orchard
Extras Liaison: Angi Warran
Publicity Secretary: Sophie Barton
Our repertoire is wide and varied to suit all tastes and ranges from classical symphonies to show music incorporating big band and swing. Whatever your musical taste it should be well provided for. We have a policy of welcoming anyone without the requirement of an audition and maintain no restrictions on section size within the orchestra. However at the discretion of the Musical Director, we may occasionally have to operate a waiting list for certain oversubscribed instruments.
The music we typically play will require someone of at least Grade 5 standard but exams are not expected. The age range of players encompasses year 9 school musicians to retired members. We offer the opportunity for school players to stretch their playing ability.
In 2024 we welcomed accomplished Clarion® player, Alessandro Vazzana, into our orchestra. The Clarion® is a new instrument which opens the world of music performance to disabled artists like Alessandro, who plays using a gyroscopic head mouse. Alessandro recently finished his time with the National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) and in Summer 2024 formed a Clarion trio with two fellow NOYO members, and joined our orchestra that September. We are pleased to be the first mainstream orchestra to welcome this new instrument to its ranks. To find out more: BBC The Clarion: The accessible musical instrument trying to find its soul
The Orchestra is run by a committee and the involvement of members is encouraged and welcomed. Members pay a termly fee to cover costs. We pride ourselves on our friendly, hardworking approach to our music making. We welcome opportunities to perform locally in aid of community causes.
We are led by Sim Jones and Kati Turner, musical direction is by Sam Hairsine.
Chair: Anne Edward
Treasurer: Sue Bradbury
Membership Secretary: Megan Russell
Librarian: Michael Orchard
Extras Liaison: Angi Warran
Publicity Secretary: Sophie Barton
