Patronage

We are very grateful to our loyal Patrons, whose names are shown below on this page, for their valuable financial support during these difficult times when the future of live music itself seems at risk.

The Benefits

Your contribution enables us to continue our outreach activity of giving tickets to local schools via 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 building of audiences for the future.

We simply could not have done this without your generous donations.

As a patron you will be entitled to: 

  • 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 History

You may be familiar with the remarkable story of the YGO (see also The Orchestra). Founded in 1979 by John Hastie for one concert only – and here we are 42 years later! 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.  

We have regularly attracted world-class soloists to York and commissioned new works especially for the orchestra. Our concert reviews are a testament to our successful endeavours over the years. The contributions from our Patrons are immensely helpful in enabling the orchestra to continue with these activities.

How to become a Patron

Please complete a Standing Order (on-line if you have internet banking) with the following details:

Name of the organisation: The York Guildhall Orchestra
Bank Details: HSBC Bank, Parliament Street, York
Account Number: 11192523
Sort Code: 40-47-31
Reference: Your name

The minimum annual subscription is £75 for a single patron or £120 for joint patronage, which can also be paid in instalments if that is more convenient.  Any contributions above these amounts will also be of enormous help.

Once your Standing Order has been set up, or if you need any further information, just email us at:  patrons@yorkguildhallorchestra.com and we will be happy to help.

Thank you for supporting us and we look forward to welcoming you to our concerts.

Angelo Braganza
Patrons’ Secretary

4
Sponsors
72
Patrons
42
Seasons
Become a patron

Message from Simon

“I would like to add my thanks to those of Angelo for the support you have so generously given to the YGO over the last few difficult years.  It is very good to be able to be back making music again together, the last year really felt in many ways as though we were just starting again and yet it also had the feeling of a grand reunion. This season commenced in October with a programme of many popular favourites including Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending with Will Clark, a young ex-member of the orchestra, as soloist.  There were also be two pieces which, sadly, become particularly appropriate at the time, Handel’s Zadok the Priest and Tavener’s Song for Athene

"We are looking forward to our February concert in collaboration with the Leeds Festival Chorus This will be an all-Beethoven affair with his monumental 9th Symphony in the second half.  In the first half we shall play two popular overtures (Egmont and Fidelio) which will frame two uplifting short items for chorus and orchestra; these are not performed very often but definitely deserve to be heard.

"We will finish our season with a concert in May when we will play Rachmaninov’s wonderful 2nd Symphony to celebrate the composer's 150th birthday.  We will be joined by Nicholas Wright, a former member of the orchestra and now concertmaster of Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, to play Korngold's lyrical and virtuosic violin concerto, and we will get off to a rip-roaring start with Bernstein's overture from Candide."

List of Patrons

As at 28th April 2023

  • Penelope Armour (in memoriam)
  • Ian Bainbridge
  • Mr & Mrs P J Bartle
  • Trevor Berry
  • Mrs M A Blakeson
  • Ellen & David Bradbury
  • Loretta Braganza
  • Dr R Brech
  • Clare Brind
  • Dr Alyson Brody
  • Mrs Eileen Brody
  • Wendy Brooks
  • John & Josephine Bryan
  • Margaret Bryan
  • Helen Byrne
  • Katharine Carter
  • Mrs Lucy Charnock
  • Mrs Colleen Copley
  • Mrs Christina Cramb
  • Terry & Mary Crawford
  • Ian Cuthbertson
  • Mr & Mrs R Dexter–Smith
  • Mr D Dickson
  • Helen & Robert Dobson
  • Geoff Egginton
  • Mr A Evans
  • Mr F & Mrs M J Finney
  • Mrs Jane Freeman
  • Mrs Olwyn Fuller (In memoriam)
  • Ann Green CBE
  • David & Janet Hopton
  • Jeremy & Paula Horsfield
  • Clare Howard
  • Cathy Hunter
  • Rosemary Johnson (in memoriam)
  • Frances Jones
  • Graham Long (in memoriam)
  • Mr L & Mrs C E Mackinlay
  • Prof. Andy Marvin & Heather Marvin
  • Cllr. Ashley Mason
  • Leslie McCormack & Fabiana Tia Maria
  • Mr D Miller & Mrs S Gray
  • Jacky Moran
  • Paul & Ellen Murphy
  • Sheila Newman (in memoriam)
  • Giles & Alex Nightingale
  • Mrs Joan Poole (in memoriam)
  • Dr Maureen A Porter
  • Prof. Tony & Dr Eva Robards
  • Cllr C Runciman
  • David Rymer & Laurent Simon
  • Tina & Peter Sanderson
  • Mark Saunders
  • Marc Schatzberger
  • Nigel Tooze & Chris Shaw
  • Rome Sigsworth
  • Gerard Simpson
  • Helen Speight
  • Christine Smith
  • Peter & Penny Smith
  • Gill Stilwell
  • Commodore Paul Sutermeister
  • Kathrine Sykes
  • Mark Sykes
  • Judith Thorpe
  • Peter Vaughan
  • Miss V Walpole
  • Michael Ward-Jackson
  • Hon Alderman Richard Watson
  • Mrs Ann Wilson
  • Clive Woolley
  • Honor Wright