A who’s who of UK soloists is proudly joining the critically acclaimed Northern Chamber Orchestra for their star-studded new season which is sponsored by Manchester Metropolitan University.
The stellar cast of top-flight soloists includes A-list pianists Peter Donohoe and Steven Osboune, violinist and former BBC Young Musicians Finalist, Callum Smart, guitarist and Classic FM recording artist Craig Ogden and international cellist Raphael Wallfisch.
The orchestra is teaming up with MMU, who are sponsoring them for the first time, for their upcoming concert season.
Jonathan Thackeray, General Manager of the Northern Chamber Orchestra said: “The NCO has been the Orchestra in Residence at MMU for several years and enjoys a very productive relationship with the university.”
“We are thrilled to have the Faculty’s sponsorship for the 2013-2014 Macclesfield concert season, which has helped us to present a really engaging series of concerts featuring superb soloists.”
Their annual season, which gives a series of eight concerts, is held at the Heritage Centre in Macclesfield.
NCO, established in the late 1960s and based in Manchester, had their series dramatically kick-started with Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B Minor on September 28.
On November 2, NCO’s audience will get the chance to enjoy the skills of pianist, Peter Donohoe, as he performs Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto no 1, a perfect vehicle for his ferocious playing.
Andy Jones, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dean of Faculty of Education, MMU, said: “We are proud to sponsor the excellent NCO concerts, as well as its important outreach work in local schools and communities.”
The NCO is involved with an extensive learning and development programme run by Coordinator, Helen Quayle.
It is also involved in a scheme of workshops with the MMU Faculty of Education trainee teachers and their schools.
As another part of NCO’s outreach programme, their ‘Festive Fantasia’ concert on December 7 gives students from Chetham’s School of Music the opportunity to share the stage with NCO players for Vaughan Williams’ masterpiece Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.
Other highlights of the programme includes Mozart’s immensely popular Don Giovanni Overture and one of his final, great classics, Symphony no 39 in E flat major.
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