"The second half saw the orchestra give a confident and assured performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, Eroica. The solemn tone of the second movement was skilfully contrasted with the vivacious scherzo of the third, and the momentum of the finale gave a satisfying end to a thoroughly enjoyable evening"
“The City of York can be proud of the orchestra that bears its name.”
"We have produced some outstanding horn players in this country over the years, but Federle is already right in the front rank. The orchestra offered every support she could have wanted, giving plenty of meaning to the ritornellos; Wright’s rapport with her was exemplary."
2025 is a year of celebration when it comes to remembering two very famous composers – Ravel and Shostakovich; we will be performing music by Shostakovich in both our February and May concerts, and introduce you to some of our favourite Ravel in May.
The final concert this season is a full programme of works both familiar and some perhaps less so. It is 150 years ago this year when Maurice Ravel was born; he became a serious influence on the French music scene. His output wasn’t huge when compared to others, but it is all superbly crafted with emphasis on melody. We present three of his more well-known works for you this evening.
The first concert in our 45th season continues our acknowledgement of Shostakovich's celebration year and presents rare opportunity to hear Zoltan Kodály's superb Háry János suite, complete with traditional Cimbalom. Tickets are not yet on sale.
2025 is a year of celebration when it comes to remembering two very famous composers – Ravel and Shostakovich; we will be performing music by Shostakovich in both our February and May concerts, and introduce you to some of our favourite Ravel in May.
The final concert this season is a full programme of works both familiar and some perhaps less so. It is 150 years ago this year when Maurice Ravel was born; he became a serious influence on the French music scene. His output wasn’t huge when compared to others, but it is all superbly crafted with emphasis on melody. We present three of his more well-known works for you this evening.
The first concert in our 45th season continues our acknowledgement of Shostakovich's celebration year and presents rare opportunity to hear Zoltan Kodály's superb Háry János suite, complete with traditional Cimbalom. Tickets are not yet on sale.
Our ticket prices remain unchanged again for this season.
Unless otherwise advertised, tickets for our concerts at York Barbican are priced, inclusive of their service and facility fees, as follows:
General Admission: £18.80 - £24.30
Children and Students: £7.80
Please note that there is also a transaction fee charged by York Barbican.
Tickets will be available in due course, online from York Barbican box office via their new ticketing agency AXS. Clicking on any of the "Buy tickets" links will take you to the relevant AXS page. Please note that a maximum of 8 tickets only can be purchased at any one time.
Purchased tickets are then accessed via the AXS App on a smartphone, The App is available from both Google Play and from Apple Store. There is free WIFI at the venue for customers to use. If you are unable to access your account when you arrive, the box office will be able to help.
If you have any queries about how the York Barbican ticketing system works, please visit the York Barbican Website for further assistance ahead of the concert.
York Barbican operates a security system to check all bags taken into the venue. Large umbrellas, large bags, and backpacks will not be allowed in. Please allow extra time to get through the security.
The QPark on Kent Street can get very busy on concert night; alternative parking is available at St Georges Fields and Peel Street.
For any performing organisation, presenting concerts is a financial challenge. We’re proud to present our sponsors who allow us to thrive as an Orchestra; we are very grateful for their wonderful support.
Interested in becoming a sponsor and supporting our orchestra?
Contact usWe have been privilaged over the years, since the orchestra’s beginnings in 1980, to have performed with a number of wonderfully talented soloists. Here are just a few of them…
The York Barbican is one of the major concert and event venues in York. The York Guildhall Orchestra were one of the first music groups to use the venue, way back in 1992. We have continued to do so and are very proud to have been granted the title "Orchestra in Residence".
About our venue
We are a registered charity that uses music to inspire people, to bring happiness, relaxation and exhilaration to their lives, helping to make York a better place. This includes working with the York Music Hub to bring young, aspiring musicians from local schools to our rehearsals and concerts.
We are also working with our principal sponsor, York St John University, helping in their education of young adults who are working towards a career in the world of music.
Contributions received from patrons and sponsors go a long way to help us achieve our charitable aims. Do please consider becoming either an individual Patron or a Corporate Sponsor
In addition to our loyal sponsors we are very proud to be supported in our aims by the following organisations.
Interested in supporting our orchestra?
Contact usWhere can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available on-line only from the York Barbican box office's partner AXS.
Tickets are available online from York Barbican box office via their new ticketing agency AXS. Clicking on any of the "Buy tickets" links will take you to the relevant AXS page. We would urge our audience members to book their tickets on-line as this is by far the easiest method and avoids queuing delays on the evening of the concert. Please note there is an upper limit of 8 tickets per transaction.
Purchased tickets are then accessed via the AXS App on a smartphone - which can be downloaded from Google or Apple. There is free WIFI at the venue for customers to use. If you are unable to access your account when you arrive, the box office will be able to help.
Where can I get help with tickets?
If you are experiencing difficulties with the Barbican's ticketing system, please either visit their help page at York Barbican Website for further assistance ahead of the concert or contact their Box Office.
How much are tickets?
The orchestra will be keeping ticket prices at the same level again for this coming season - i.e. no change for the last three years.
Unless otherwise advertised, tickets for our concerts at the York Barbican are priced as follows: General Admission: £24.30 (centre stalls) & £18.80 (side stalls and balcony). Children and Students in full time education: £7.80 (all areas).
The prices quoted here include service and facility fees as charged by the York Barbican Box Office, over which the orchestra has no control. There is also a transaction fee, irrespective of how many tickets are purchased. The orchestra reserves the right to amend ticket prices should circumstances change.
Where can I park?
The closest parking is on Kent Street, a privately run car park owned by QPark.
Other parking is available on Peel Street and, a little further away, on St Georges Fields. These two are Pay and Display and run by City of York Council; although a little further away, they are useful and cheaper alternatives as QPark can become very busy on concert night.
Can I join the orchestra?
Of course! If you are interested in joining the orchestra, please get in touch via the form on the contact us page.
We are looking for a standard of at least Grade 8 with confidence as a sight-reader and some experience of playing in a symphony orchestra. Acceptance as a member will depend on vacancies available and, most probably, an audition with the Music Director and the section leader or section principal.
We only rehearse a few times immediately prior to a concert, so attendance at all rehearsals is expected - as well as bringing your own music stand! Sheet music is made available a couple of weeks prior to the commencement of rehearsals and players are encouraged to pick up their set of parts and become familiar with the programmed works before attending the first rehearsal.
