The Symphonia Philharmonic Orchestra is a relaxed, “come as you are”, full-sized ensemble – the only one of its kind at the University of Bristol where you do not have to audition.
Rehearsing every week in the Bristol Student Union, they welcome everyone, no matter their instrumental proficiency, to perform a wide range of orchestral repertoire in a chilled
out social environment. There’s even tea and biscuits!
Under the continued tuition of internationally renowned conductor and educator Dr. Jonathan James, I was delighted to become conductor of Philharmonic in May 2022, ready for their 2022/23 concert season. Joining Symphonia first as Philharmonic
Orchestral Manager in 2019, I worked my way up to Vice-President in 2020, and President in 2021. It’s exciting to come full circle and concentrate my energy on building the
Philharmonic community this year.
Rehearsals have been going really well, with large forces of performers attracted by our accessible ethos. Sneak peeks are regularly published on my Instagram reels.
Furthermore, as part of my role in promoting Philharmonic, I have spoken on Bristol Burst Radio to help spread the word about our fun-loving music-making and tell the memorable
stories behind the musical works.
I enjoy programming pieces with a related theme because it gives everyone stories and pictures to visualise during the concert.
On Wednesday 14th December at 7:30pm, Philharmonic
will be performing a “Nightmare Before Christmas” concert. This is a quirky programme of spooky winter music inspired by the Tim Burton/Henry Selick film and Danny Elfman’s
soundtrack; it promises to be a fun and stylish festive evening like no other. A suite from the titular film naturally appears and the string parts were all arranged by me
specifically for the orchestra.
2022/23 Concert Season
1. Winter Concert - Philharmonic’s “Nightmare Before Christmas”:
- Various, arr. Sheldon: “A Most Wonderful Christmas”
- Grieg: “In the Hall of the Mountain King”, from Peer Gynt Suite No.1, Op.46
- Webber arr. Vinson: “The Phantom of the Opera” Medley
- Elgar: “The Wand of Youth” Suite 1: “Fairies and Giants”
- Schwartz arr. Bocook: “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked”
- Bell: “Reign of Fire”
- Rimsky-Korsakov: “The Snow Maiden” Suite
- Elfman, arr. Brown: Selections from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”