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Our Patrons
Benefits
Our patrons are entitled to the following.:
- Discounts on concert tickets
- Privileged advance booking directly with YGO for the best seats
- Complimentary programme
- Exclusive listing in our concert programme and website
- Free invitation to our Chair’s pre-concert drinks reception
- Complimentary attendance at our soloists’ masterclasses
- Free invitation to the YGO/YSJU orchestral workshop day
- Complimentary attendance at any of our rehearsals
Our achievments
We have regularly attracted world-class soloists to York and commissioned new works especially for the orchestra.
In addition to the major works in the repertoire, we have also performed under Simon Wright’s encouraging and masterful baton, all the symphonies of Mahler and Sibelius – a unique double of which we are very proud.
Our concert reviews are a testament to our successful endeavours over the years. You can read a reviews of our recent concerts here.
Our other activities
Your contribution enables us to continue our outreach activity of giving tickets to local schools via the York Music Hub, which does so much for music education in the city – a vital investment in encouraging youngsters to take up a musical instrument and in building audiences for the future.
We simply could not have done any of this without our Patrons’ generous donations.
Our history
You may be familiar with the remarkable story of the YGO. Founded in 1979 by John Hastie for one concert only – and here we are 45 years later! (see also The Orchestra).
Message from Simon
Welcome to our 2025/2026 season.
In October we will be concluding our tribute to Dmitri Shostakovich, who died 50 years ago, by playing his monumental 10th Symphony. In contrast to the ‘classical’ 9th symphony, which we played in February, this is at times brutal, at times tender and always emotionally fully charged. In the first half of the programme we will be joined by Chris Bradley with his cimbalom to play Kodály’s humorous Háry János Suite. Originally from Eastern Europe, particularly Hungary, a cimbalom is a large box of metal strings played with two beaters. If you haven’t seen or heard one you really shouldn’t miss this opportunity to see one close up and experience its unique sound.
In February we will welcome one of the world’s top clarinettists, Julian Bliss, to play Weber’s 2nd concerto and the passionate roller-coaster that is Mahler’s 5th Symphony fills the second half.
In May we will celebrate some anniversaries. We will have a little more Weber (it is the 200th anniversary of his death) with his overture Die Freischütz, Britten’s Sea Interludes from In May we will celebrate some anniversaries. We will have a little more Weber (it is the 200th anniversary of his death) with his overture Die Freischütz, Britten’s Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes (Britten died in 1976) and it is Verdi’s quasquicentennial anniversary which we will celebrate with his overture La Forza del Destino. We will be joined by Bradley Creswick, the Leader Emeritus of the Royal Northern Sinfonia, to play the ever-popular G minor concerto by Bruch.
I would like to thank you for your much valued and much needed continuing financial support of the York Guildhall Orchestra, it is hugely appreciated. I do hope that you will be able to join us for our concerts and experience some more exciting live orchestral music making.
I look forward to seeing you at the Barbican.
Patron Subscription
Our annual subscriptions are £75 for a single patron or £120 for joint patronage, which can also be paid ininstalments if that is more convenient. Any contributions above these amounts will be gratefully received.
To become a Patron simply send an email to patrons@yorkguildhallorchestra.com and I will gladly help.
Thank you for supporting us and we look forward to welcoming you to our concerts.
Angelo Braganza
Patrons’ Secretary
List of Patrons
