North Cheshire Wind Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The North Cheshire Wind Orchestra (NCWO) is a symphonic wind orchestra based in Warrington
, England
.
The membership of around 40 players is drawn from throughout the North West of England, many of whom travel considerable distances to rehearsals. Whilst a number of members make their living from music, the group is essentially non-professional.
Over the last 5 years the NCWO has developed to the point where it is now regarded as one of the finest ensembles of its type in the UK. In April 2006 the NCWO was honoured to give the European premiere of Daron Hagen
's opera Bandanna, along with soloists from the Royal Northern College of Music
and the Manchester Chamber Choir, in the presence of the composer.
The NCWO are affiliated to the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles
(BASBWE) and play a prominent part in its activities. This has included performances at the annual International Wind Festival at the Royal Northern College of Music
in Manchester in 1999 and 2002, and regular success in the National Concert Band Festival at both regional and national level, including consecutive Gold Awards at the 2004 and 2005 National finals. The NCWO is also a member of Making Music - the National Federation of Music Societies.
In November 2002 the orchestra performed at the opening celebrations for Pyramid
, Warrington
’s new arts centre. The concert included the premiere of a new work commissioned for the occasion by the Irish composer, Fergal Carroll. In October 2003 the NCWO launched a concert season at Pyramid
which has established a regular base for the orchestra.
A wide range of music is performed by the group, although there is a particular commitment to music written for the modern wind orchestra in the past 30 years. The organisation is now noted for its adventurous programming and has taken part in several commissioning projects.
This interest in commissioning and performing new music was an important factor in the decision of the Arts Council of England in May 2000 to award the NCWO over £21,000 of National Lottery
funding towards the purchase of new instruments.
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The membership of around 40 players is drawn from throughout the North West of England, many of whom travel considerable distances to rehearsals. Whilst a number of members make their living from music, the group is essentially non-professional.
Over the last 5 years the NCWO has developed to the point where it is now regarded as one of the finest ensembles of its type in the UK. In April 2006 the NCWO was honoured to give the European premiere of Daron Hagen
Daron Hagen
Daron Aric Hagen , is an American composer, conductor, pianist, educator, librettist, and stage director of contemporary classical music and opera.- Early life and education :...
's opera Bandanna, along with soloists from the Royal Northern College of Music
Royal Northern College of Music
The Royal Northern College of Music is a music school in Manchester, England. It is located on Oxford Road in Chorlton on Medlock, at the western edge of the campus of the University of Manchester and is one of four conservatories associated with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music...
and the Manchester Chamber Choir, in the presence of the composer.
The NCWO are affiliated to the British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles
British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles
The British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles is an organisation that represents symphonic bands and wind ensembles, also known as concert bands, in the UK.-History:...
(BASBWE) and play a prominent part in its activities. This has included performances at the annual International Wind Festival at the Royal Northern College of Music
Royal Northern College of Music
The Royal Northern College of Music is a music school in Manchester, England. It is located on Oxford Road in Chorlton on Medlock, at the western edge of the campus of the University of Manchester and is one of four conservatories associated with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music...
in Manchester in 1999 and 2002, and regular success in the National Concert Band Festival at both regional and national level, including consecutive Gold Awards at the 2004 and 2005 National finals. The NCWO is also a member of Making Music - the National Federation of Music Societies.
In November 2002 the orchestra performed at the opening celebrations for Pyramid
Parr Hall
The Parr Hall is the only surviving professional concert hall/theatre venue in Warrington, England.-Location:The Parr Hall and Pyramid Arts Centre are located in the Cultural quarter of Warrington town centre, in Palmyra Square.-History:...
, Warrington
Warrington
Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens...
’s new arts centre. The concert included the premiere of a new work commissioned for the occasion by the Irish composer, Fergal Carroll. In October 2003 the NCWO launched a concert season at Pyramid
Parr Hall
The Parr Hall is the only surviving professional concert hall/theatre venue in Warrington, England.-Location:The Parr Hall and Pyramid Arts Centre are located in the Cultural quarter of Warrington town centre, in Palmyra Square.-History:...
which has established a regular base for the orchestra.
A wide range of music is performed by the group, although there is a particular commitment to music written for the modern wind orchestra in the past 30 years. The organisation is now noted for its adventurous programming and has taken part in several commissioning projects.
This interest in commissioning and performing new music was an important factor in the decision of the Arts Council of England in May 2000 to award the NCWO over £21,000 of National Lottery
National Lottery (United Kingdom)
The National Lottery is the state-franchised national lottery in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.It is operated by Camelot Group, to whom the licence was granted in 1994, 2001 and again in 2007. The lottery is regulated by the National Lottery Commission, and was established by the then...
funding towards the purchase of new instruments.