Letter from the Chair

Thank you for your interest in the position of Chief Executive of the English Symphony Orchestra (ESO).

The ESO celebrated its 40^th Anniversary in 2020 and has received critical acclaim for the quality of its performances and commitment to championing new and lesser known works under its Artistic Director, Kenneth Woods. This includes our 21^st Century Symphony project to commission, premiere and record nine new symphonies by leading composers such as Philip Sawyers and David Matthews. The ESO is also one of the UK’s leading champions of music by female and BME composers and music suppressed by the Nazis.

The orchestra is based in Worcestershire and is also active in the surrounding counties. In addition to its concert work and recordings, it works closely on educational projects with schools and colleges in the region in a range of collaborative activities such as joint events, side-by-side placements of students in professional concerts, workshops and a thriving series of orchestral courses for players at all levels.

ESO musicians are also involved in giving regular series of concerts in local Care Homes.

Following the stepping down of our current Chief Executive, a unique opportunity has arisen for a new Chief Executive to join the orchestra at an exciting stage of its development and to work with the Trustees, to set a new strategy for the next five years and beyond.

If you feel you could be the right person to take up the challenge, we look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely,

Jonathan Godfrey, MA, D.Phil, OBE
Chair of Trustees