The ESO today and in the future

As the ESO looks ahead to its 40^th Anniversary in 2020, the orchestra has firmly established itself as one of the UK’s most innovative ensembles. The orchestra is particularly renowned for its work in championing new and lesser known works, with one of the most active and diverse commissioning portfolios of any orchestra in the country. Recent ESO commissions have subsequently been taken up at leading festivals across the UK, including Aldeburgh, Three Choirs, 

Lichfield and Presteigne. The ESO’s 21^st Century Symphony Project, a multi-year effort to commission, premiere and record nine new symphonies by leading composers, has been hailed as one of the most important endeavours of our time by Classical Source. The ESO’s current “John McCabe Composer-in-Association” is Adrian Williams, succeeding distinguished predecessors including Michael Tippett, Nicholas Maw, John McCabe, Philip Sawyers and David Matthews. The ESO is also one of the UK’s leading champions of composers whose music was suppressed by the Nazis, and historical female and BME composers, including figures such as William Grant Still, Vítězslava Kaprálová, Grażyna Bacewicz, Hans Gál, Viktor Ullmann and Ernest Krenek.

In the last three seasons, the ESO have made successful debuts at several leading venues, including The Bridgewater Hall, Cheltenham Town Hall, Kings Place, Cadogan Hall and LSO St Luke’s. Since 2018, we have been Orchestra-in-Residence of The Elgar Festival in Worcester. In 2020, we will give two major concerts at the Three Choirs Festival. We received Classical Music Magazine’s Premiere of the Year accolade in 2015 and 2016, our world-premiere performance of John Joubert’s opera Jane Eyre was named Classical Highlight of 2016 by the Birmingham Post. Our premiere of David Matthews’ Ninth Symphony in St George’s Bristol was chosen by The Spectator as one of the Top Ten Classical Events of 2018.  Recording accolades include Sunday Times Best Recordings of 2016, Forbes Magazine Top 10 Recordings of 2017, Gramophone Critics’ Choice 2017, MusicWeb Opera Recording of the Year 2017, and The Arts Desk Top 10 Recordings of 2018.

The ESO is particularly active as a provider and supporter of musical education. We run regular youth orchestra courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced participants, as well as string orchestra and chamber music courses, instrument days and workshops. We regularly host masterclasses with leading soloists and composers. We have a vibrant partnership with Hereford Sixth Form College and also work closely with the Elgar School of Music and King’s School, Worcester. Most importantly, we are the resident professional orchestra for the Music Education Hubs in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

The ESO also give dozens of concerts every year in care homes and hospices across the region, bringing the comfort and stimulation of live music to people living with dementia and other chronic health challenges.

The ESO has received regular substantial annual grants from Arts Council England since 2017, with additional support coming on a project basis. Other major supporters include the Bransford Trust and the William A. Cadbury Trust.

The Existing Team

The ESO’s artistic team is among the most respected in the UK, headed by Artistic Director and Conductor Kenneth Woods and Leader Zoe Beyers. The ESO’s orchestral musicians also have a strong voice in the orchestra’s artistic direction. The ESO’s Composer-in-Association is Adrian Williams, Composer Laureate is Philip Sawyers and Assistant Conductor is Michael Young

Main existing staff positions include: Orchestral Manager, Development and Education Officer, Finance Officer, and Fundraising Officer, all of whom work for ESO on a part-time or freelance basis. The manager of the ESO Friends organization is a valued volunteer.

Ten key ambitions for the next five years

We want the ESO to be a nationally active and recognised orchestra of the highest artistic stature and cultural significance

1. Increase audience and support for the orchestra in our home territory of Elgar Country
2. Build a successful presence in London
3. Develop new residencies and partnerships with communities, venues and festivals across the UK
4. Develop a vibrant summer home for the orchestra
5. Elevate the orchestra to the most elite tier of international touring and festivals
6. Build sufficient organisational capacity and networks of support to allow us to reach our goals
7. Make a significant and lasting contribution to British musical culture through recordings, commissions, premieres and advocacy
8. Deliver life-changing music education experiences to young people and life enhancing musical experiences to people living with dementia and other health challenges and disabilities
9. Successfully address organisational and industry challenges
10. Build or develop a world-class permanent artistic home for the orchestra and increase rehearsal time for the orchestra