Association of British Orchestras

Members'
Directory

Associate Members

Associate members include those who have not yet fulfilled the requirements of full membership, as well as conservatoires, music colleges, youth orchestras and overseas orchestras. 

 

Aldeburgh Music

Snape Maltings Concert Hall, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 1SP

Telephone: 01728 688671

britten-pears@aldeburgh.co.uk Website

The Britten-Pears Orchestra offers an excellent opportunity for emerging young professionl musicians to study with leading conductors and musicians. The Orchestra appears regularly in Festivals in Snape. In 2001 the Orchestra received funding from the Esmee Faibairn Foundation to allow its relaunch. In addition to covering students' costs this new funding provided the opportunity to plan repertory and artists in advance and offers an environment that will best prepare players for orhcestral life. As well as rehearsing programmed works, sessions are given over to training for Education work, specialist-taught sectional rehearsals and opportunities for exploring chamber repertory.

Birmingham Conservatoire

Paradise Place, BIRMINGHAM, B3 3HG

Telephone: 0121 331 5901/2

conservatoire@bcu.ac.uk Website

Encompassing a senior music college and Junior Department, Birmingham Conservatoire is at once an international conservatoire, a fully-fledged faculty of the University of Central England and a major concert venue for many of Birmingham’s principal concert promoters and organisations. Offering over 300 concerts and events per year, the Conservatoire’s larger performing resources include a Symphony Orchestra and smaller Sinfonia; two Wind Orchestras and a Wind Ensemble; a Brass Band and Brass Ensemble; a contemporary music group - the Thallein Ensemble; a full Baroque orchestra - Capelle; a Jazz Big Band and Jazz Orchestra; and several Junior ensembles.

Chamber Orchestra of Europe

Allington House, 150 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5AE

Telephone: 020 7630 2900

redbird@coeurope.org Website

European Union Baroque Orchestra

Hordley, Wootton, WOODSTOCK, Oxon, OX20 1EP

Telephone: 01993 812111

info@eubo.org.uk Website

EUBO is a bridge between conservatory study and professional life for young specialist instrumentalists from all over the European Union. Membership is renewed annually by competitive audition and in an average year the Orchestra includes musicians from 14 different countries with an average age of 26. Artistic leadership is vested in Music Director Lars Ulrik Mortensen (Denmark) and Director of Studies Margaret Faultless (UK). The spirit of international co-operation and the energy and vitality of the young EUBO musicians give each of the Orchestra’s performances a distinctive profile. EUBO receives funding from the European Commission as an “ambassador to promote European culture”. EUBO’s tours are sponsored by Microsoft and HVB Luxembourg, and the group has been appointed baroque orchestra in residence in the new cultural centre Trifolion in Echternach, Luxembourg.

European Union Youth Orchestra

6A Pont Street, London, SW1X 9EL

Telephone: 0207 235 7671

info@euyo.org.uk Website

The European Union Youth Orchestra exists to unite Europe's most talented young musicians under internationally renowned conductors, in an ensemble that transcends cultural, social, economic, religious and political boundaries - all in the common pursuit of musical excellence.

The Orchestra is made up of up to 140 players, representing all 27 EU member countries. The players are selected each year from over 4,000 candidates aged between 14 and 24, who take part in auditions throughout the EU.

Besides its regular European tours, EUYO has also performed in China, Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, India, North and South America and Russia.

Guildhall School of Music & Drama

Silk Street, Barbican, LONDON, EC2Y 8DT

Telephone: 020 7628 2571

Website

Irish Chamber Orchestra

Foundation Building, University of Limerick, Limerick

Telephone: 00 353 61 202620

ico@ul.ie Website

Making Music

2-4 Great Eastern Street, London, EC2A 3NW

Telephone: 0870 903 3780

info@makingmusic.org.uk Website

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Pty. Ltd.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, ABC Centre, 120 / 130 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank, Melbourne, VIC 3006

Telephone: 0061 3 9626 1110

mso@mso.com.au Website

Harold Mitchell AO, Chairman

Matthew VanBesien, Managing Director

Tadaaki Otaka Principal Guest Conductor

With a reputation for excellence, versatility and innovation the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is Australia’s internationally-acclaimed and oldest orchestra, founded in 1906. Following integration with the Melbourne Chorale in 2008, the Orchestra now has its own choir – the MSO Chorus. This fine Orchestra is renowned for its performances of the great symphonic masterworks with leading international and Australian artists, as well as hugely-successful performances with popular artists including Elton John, Harry Connick, Jr. Ben Folds, Burt Bacharach, Meat Loaf and KISS. The MSO has received widespread international recognition in overseas tours and in 2007 returned to Europe, visiting the major centres of Madrid, Paris, Berlin and Milan.

National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain

57 Buckingham Road, Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset, BS24 9BG

Telephone: 01934 418855

mail@nco.org.uk Website

The fulfilment of a childhood dream, NCO was founded in 1978 by a visionary music teacher, Vivienne Price, to give musically talented children under the age of fourteen the opportunity of playing together in full, age-banded symphony orchestras. This unique participation enhances their musical education and gives them the essential life experience of living, working and having fun as part of a peer group in safe, supportive surroundings. It is truly inclusive, bringing together children from many social and ethnic backgrounds. There are five national and four regional orchestras under the NCO aegis; in all, over 500 dedicated young musicians.

National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain

Zetland House, 5-25 Scrutton Street, London, EC2A 4HJ

Telephone: 020 7613 7810

info@nyo.org.uk Website

National Youth Orchestras of Scotland

13 Somerset Place, GLASGOW, G3 7JT

Telephone: 0141 332 8311

info@nyos.co.uk Website

From our young years project working with primary school children to our senior ensembles, working on the most complex scores, NYOS provides a world-class learning experience to young Scottish musicians of all ages. Through our eight performing ensembles and various training courses and workshops, we are unique within Europe in providing a breadth of experience in both classical and jazz music for all of our students. NYOS students are proud and excited to be playing with Scotland’s National Youth Orchestras and we are passionate about supporting and developing their talent.

Royal Academy of Music

Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5HT

Telephone: 020 7873 7300

Website

The Royal Academy of Music, Britain's senior conservatoire, has prepared musicians for successful and evolving careers since 1822. Students study varied programmes including instrumental performance, composition, jazz, musical theatre and opera, gaining University of London degrees from undergraduate (Bmus) to PhD level.

The Academy's student community is truly international, with over 50 countries represented. Distinguished musicians who studied at the Academy include Sir Harrison Birtwistle, John Dankworth, Lesley Garrett, Evelyn Glennie, Sir Elton John, Dame Felicity Lott, Joanna MacGregor, Michael Nyman, Sir Simon Rattle and Jean Rigby.

The Academy's free 'living' museum is open seven days a week and includes Academy Chimes, a well-stocked music shop.

Royal College of Music

Prince Consort Road, LONDON, SW7 2BS

Telephone: 020 7589 3643

Website

The Royal College of Music, London enjoys a worldwide reputation as a conservatoire where performers, conductors and composers are trained to the highest international standard. Situated in the heart of South Kensington's cultural family, the RCM is adjacent to the Royal Albert Hall, Imperial College London, the Royal College of Art, the V&A and the Natural History Museum.

Royal Northern College of Music

124 Oxford Road, MANCHESTER, M13 9RD

Telephone: 0161 907 5200

Website

Principal: Professor Edward Gregson

The RNCM trains the orchestral musicians and conductors of the future and its alumni are to be found in orchestras across the UK and further afield. It is also a major arts venue, hosting performances by the BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata and others.

Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

100 Renfrew Street, GLASGOW, G2 3DB

Telephone: 0141 332 4101

Website

Whatever your specialism across drama, music, dance or your own personal performance – the ability to raise your game when it really counts – will be crucial in your future artistic and professional journey. Come to the Academy and that is precisely what we will help you achieve – the standards of quality that this 21st century conservatoire is all about.

We are warm and welcoming and we pride ourselves on offering our students a truly individualised experience in a supportive yet challenging environment, underpinned by superb facilities.

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

Castle Grounds, Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3ER

Telephone: 029 2034 2854

info@rwcmd.ac.uk Website

RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra

RTÉ Performing Groups, Donnybrook, Dublin 4

Telephone: 00353 1 208 2530

music@rte.ie Website

Sinfonia Cymru

7 West End Terrace,, Llantwit Major, Vale of Glamorgan, CF61 1SN

Telephone: 01446 796201

sophielewis5@btinternet.com Website

Sinfonia Cymru is a rare champion of young musical talent which, by combining the most outstanding music students with young professional musicians, provides a unique training experience in orchestral chamber music. The orchestra performs classical music of the highest quality throughout Wales, and is committed to performing in areas of the country which have limited cultural provision.

Sinfonia Cymru is committed to inspiring young people to discover the power of live music and is currently engaged in a collaborative project with Gwent Music Service and Independent Ballet Wales, culminating in a ‘Carnival’ concert party at The Riverfront in Newport involving 400+ children from socially deprived areas of the City.

Trinity Laban

King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London, SE10 9JF

Telephone: 020 8305 4444

info@tcm.ac.uk Website