The orchestra was formed in 1998 initially to perform in the “Last Night of the Proms” concert to promote funds for the Rochdale Hospice.

 

Since then the orchestra has gone from strength to strength, with a membership currently at sixty players, their ages ranging from eleven to nineteen.

The orchestra is directed by Ian Nelson, with assistance on sectional rehearsals by Danny Norbury and Liz Heyes (strings).

 

In the past, the orchestra has participated in the “World’s Largest Orchestra” (which is in the 1998 Guinness Book of World Records), travelled to Lviev in the Ukraine, and undertaken concert tours at Lake Garda, Salzburg  and Dublin.

 

On five occasions, they have played in the Manchester Youth Proms at the Bridgewater Hall and since 2000 have participated in the Regional Festival of the National Festival of Music for Youth, being selected for the National Festival itself in 2002, 2003 and 2007.

  

Rehearsals are on Monday evenings between 5.30pm and 7.00pm in the Music Centre.  

 

 

Rochdale Schools Concert Orchestra