-min-min-min.jpg)
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 the YGO’s 2026/2027 season. We have an eclectic mix of repertoire and fabulous soloists for your delight!
We kick off in October with music by Sir William Walton. Crown Imperial has always been a popular favourite and it seemed appropriate to start the concert with this as we will be finishing with his first symphony. Rightly regarded as one of the 20thcentury’s finest symphonies, this is an incredible difficult roller coaster of a piece and one which many members of the orchestra have asked to play. We welcome James Fountain, the principal trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra, to play Malcom Arnold’s Trumpet Concerto. This was first performed by my great friend John Wallace who sadly died in January. John played many times with YGO both as soloist and as a member of the trumpet section and we will be dedicating this concert to his memory.
In February we will be joined by Jessica Burroughs who was for 12 years Section Leader Cello of the Orchestra of Opera North. She will be playing the Dvorak Cello Concerto, one of the greatest of all string concertos. We will also be celebrating the 400th anniversary of Beethoven’s death by playing his joyous 7th Symphony.
In May we will open with a piece by local composer David Lancaster, for many years on the staff at York St. John University and a muchvalued supporter of the orchestra. It will be an enormous pleasure to welcome back Annemarie Federle, the principal horn of the London Philharmonic Orchestra to play Strauss’ 2nd Horn Concerto. Many will remember her fabulous playing of the 1st Concerto with us recently. We will round off our season with Tchaikovsky’s exciting 4th Symphony.
This coming November we go ‘on tour’ to Helmsley Arts Centre for a chamber orchestra sized concert where we are very pleased that Rebecca Taylor will rejoin the orchestra to play Beethoven’s 2nd Piano Concerto. We will also play music by Richard Strauss, Mendelssohn and Mozart.
In these days when financial support for the arts isincreasingly difficult to obtain, your continued patronage of the orchestra is hugely appreciated. Thank you.
I look forward to seeing you during this exciting season of live music making.
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
