York Guildhall Orchestra

This is the Web Site of the York Guildhall Orchestra, one of the leading symphony orchestra ensembles in the North of England!

We all greatly enjoy the making of music and take great pleasure in presenting concerts to discerning listeners, be they experienced in concert going, or be they new to orchestral concerts.

”That was some of the best Mahler playing the orchestra has ever done”.  So said Simon after the concert on Saturday 12 May.  Certainly for players and audience, it was a very moving experience - Mahler’s 9th Symphony is an amazing work.  Sarah Beth played the Mozart piano concerto beautifully with some of the best string sound the orchestra has ever produced.

Later this May, the orchestra has been engaged to perform a private concert in York Minster; and in July we shall be joining our old friends, the Leeds Festival Chorus with a concert in Ripon Cathedral.

So, onwards and upwards.  Plans are in being prepared for our next season - October 20th will see us playing the overture to Die Meistersinger, Sibelius’ Violin Concerto and Bernstein’s West Side Story.

Tickets will be on sale at the Barbican box office - either call in or go on line.  Further details on our Concerts page.

This web site gives just a flavour of the orchestra, its players and its achievements, which for an amateur music group in the truest sense, is of the highest quality - don’t take our word for it, read some of the reviews!

See a complete history of past concerts.  Although not entirely complete for all concerts, we try to include a word for word copy of the concert reviews - warts and all!

Orchestra Sponsors and Supporters

NEWS

There has been a slight change to next year’s dates; our October concert will now be on the 20th.  This is so as to avoid other concert clashes in the city.

York City Planners have approved the design of the 165 bedroom hotel to be built on the empty land adjacent to the York Barbican.  Great news - this will complete the long awaited project.

The Orchestra enjoyed a tremendously successful John Barry Celebration Concert on October 30th, to wide critical acclaim - and a standing ovation!

The dates and full programmes for the Orchestra’s new season have been announced - visit concert season for more information.

York Guildhall Orchestra is announced as Orchestra in Residence at the newly refurbished York Barbican Centre.

Interested in being a Patron or corporate sponsor, please see our Sponsorship section.

Interested in joining the orchestra - visit How To Join