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Harrogate is a famous town for its flowers and its springs. It has been famous for many decades and it will be famous for many years to come. Harrogate is a conference town and has many people coming in and out of the area to meet in the International Conference Centre. If you would like more information on Harrogate and its surroundings, go to its web site at |
BRYAN WESTERN - Conductor
Bryan Western has been the Musical Director of the Harrogate Symphony Orchestra since 1985, when it was the Harrogate Chamber Orchestra, helping to bring the Orchestra to its present standard. He trained as a teacher of music and has worked in the Harrogate area since 1976. In 1991 he joined the music staff at King James' School, Knaresborough as Head of Department. His musical interests are many and varied, ranging from orchestral and choral works to composing and arranging.
His 'Pastorale' was premiered by the HCO in 1989 to much acclaim and he has written extensively for school groups - including numerous musicals and choral items. Bryan is particularly keen on creating links between schools and adult music-making and his enthusiasm bore fruit in the first HSO Prom Concerts in 1993. In 1995, he was guest conductor for a choir of over 400 specially formed to sing for the North of England Education Conference in York University's Central Hall, and in 1996 managed to fight off temporary paralysis to conduct 530 singers in Orff's Carmina Burana as part of the 'One Voice' charity concert in 1997.
HARROGATE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The Harrogate Symphony Orchestra can trace its roots back to 1931 when the Harrogate String Orchestra replaced the Municipal Orchestra. From this grew the Harrogate Chamber Orchestra which further expanded to become the Harrogate Symphony Orchestra in the 1991-92 season.
The aims are to give players a chance to play orchestral music together on a regular basis and to present concerts of interesting music in the chamber, symphonic and 20th century orchestral repertoire in a pleasant social atmosphere. As soloists, musicians at the start of promising careers as well as artistes of national and international standing engaged.
In recent years the Orchestra's concerts have attracted sponsorship by organisations both national and international, apart from the generous support by the Yorkshire & Humberside Arts, and our advertisers.
The Harrogate Symphony Orchestra is a Registered Charity, No.515127
November 2000 Concert New World Symphony - Dvorak
"...the woodwind were excellent - the oboes in particular made this a night to remember."
"Nor should we overlook the thrilling contribution of the trumpets who, in the nine-bar theme of the finale, made a splendid sound as the work approached its conclusion."
March 2001 Concert Choral Symphony - Beethoven
"This was virtuoso playing of which the orchestra and conductor Bryan Western could be justly proud."
"...the works choral section is demanding, lying higher in the singers' registers than they are usually expected to sing. They acquitted themselves well throughout, but especially in the central section."
March 2002 Concert Symphony No 5 - Beethoven
".....the two horns performing well and not to be outdone, the oboe, in complete contrast, producing a lovely poignant cadenza towards the end of the movement."