“The City of York can be proud of the orchestra that bears its name.”
"A deeply brooding account of Sibelius’s Valse Triste was the ideal intro to his Fifth Symphony. Here, Wright instinctively knew that the whole work builds towards its noble finale and cannot be allowed to climax too soon. So he kept the brass, in particular, in close order, and forged colourful mood changes in the slow-movement variations. Excitement bubbled through the finale, until the brass – yes – but also the violins, more lush than ever, cut loose to reach a glorious peak."
"Music is the best medicine. Dragging myself off my sick bed on Saturday afternoon, I really had no expectation of leaving the Barbican after two hours feeling refreshed and invigorated. I should have known better!"
The first concert in our 43rd season. The full programme and any soloists have yet to be decided, but the programme is very likely to include Elgar's first symphony. We will update this page as and when more details become available.
We return to the lovely performing arts space in Helmsley Arts Centre with a programme of chamber works. This will feature a small selection of players from the main body of York Guildhall Orchestra members.
The second concert in our 43rd season - PLEASE NOTE that this is now a Sunday matinee. The programme and soloist have yet to be decided. We will update this page as and when more details become available.
The first concert in our 43rd season. The full programme and any soloists have yet to be decided, but the programme is very likely to include Elgar's first symphony. We will update this page as and when more details become available.
We return to the lovely performing arts space in Helmsley Arts Centre with a programme of chamber works. This will feature a small selection of players from the main body of York Guildhall Orchestra members.
The second concert in our 43rd season - PLEASE NOTE that this is now a Sunday matinee. The programme and soloist have yet to be decided. We will update this page as and when more details become available.
The final concert in our 43rd Season - PLEASE NOTE that this is now a Sunday matinee. The programme and soloist yet to be decided. We will update this page as and when more details become available.
Unless otherwise advertised, tickets for our concerts at York Barbican are priced, inclusive of the their service and facility fees, as follows:
General Admission: £18.50 - £24.00
Children and Students: £7.50
Please note that there may also be a transaction fee charged by the York Barbican
Please note that York Barbican operates a security system to check bags. Large umbrellas, large bags, and backpacks will not be allowed in. Please allow extra time to get through the security.
Tickets are available online from York Barbican box office via their ticketing agency TicketMaster. Clicking on any of the "Buy tickets" links will take you to the relevant TicketMaster page.
Purchased tickets can be accessed via the Ticketmaster app on a smartphone or the Ticketmaster website. Tickets can also be downloaded to a wallet in advance (see Ticketmaster Help). 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 Ticketmaster works or do not have a smart phone, please visit the York Barbican Website for further assistance ahead of the concert.
We strongly 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. However, the box office is open from 5:00pm on the day of the concert.
The box office also manage parking ticket discounts for the QPark on Kent Street at the rear of the York Barbican.
QPark 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 from way back in 1992. We have continued to do so and 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 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 usProblems with Ticketmaster?
Purchased tickets can be accessed via the Ticketmaster app on a smartphone or the Ticketmaster website. Tickets can also be downloaded to a wallet in advance (see Ticketmaster Help). 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 Ticketmaster works or do not have a smart phone, please visit the York Barbican Website for further assistance ahead of the concert.
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 - useful alternatives as QPark can become very busy.
Can I join the orchestra?
Of course! If you are interested in joining the orchestra, please get in touch via our form on the contact us page. We are looking for a standard of at least Grade 8 with confidence as a sight-reader; acceptance as a member will depend on vacancies available and, most probably, an audition with the Music Director and the section leader or 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!
Are there any Covid-19 restrictions in place at the venue?
Currently, there is no requirement to show COVID passports or wear a mask. All seating is by reserved by ticket allocation - there is no requirement for distancing. Safety measures and terms of entry are under constant review and we'll keep you up to date with any changes on how we normally operate here. Please read all the information on this page and check back regularly before attending your event. Further information is available on the York Barbican web site.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available on-line only from the York Barbican box office's partner TicketMaster. Click on any of the "Buy tickets" buttons to link through to the relevant Ticketmaster 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. However, the box office is open from 5:00pm on the day of the concert.
How much are tickets?
Unless otherwise advertised, tickets for our concerts at the York Barbican are priced as follows: General Admission: £24.00 (centre stalls) & £18.50 (side stalls and balcony). Children and Students: £7.50 (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 may also be an additional transaction fee.
