Salford Symphony Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Salford Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is one of the major amateur orchestras in North West England
. It is also one of the oldest, celebrating its 60th year in 2007. It is based at Salford, in Greater Manchester
, England
.
The late Joseph Needham originally founded Salford Symphony Orchestra in 1947. He was a protégé of Sir Henry Wood
, on whose recommendation he came to Salford, where he was appointed director of music for Salford City Police Band. Eventually, with the help of freelance professional string players, he formed Salford Symphony Orchestra. Sir John Barbirolli
was the orchestra’s President for some years. After Joseph Needham’s death, John Crossdale took over as MD; his first performance was a memorial concert for ‘Joe’. Salford Education Authority, with Jack Fryer as MD and conductor, later absorbed the orchestra.
After many successful years, the orchestra disbanded in 1985. Following requests from the Salford public and musicians, Christine Clarkson started to re-form the orchestra in 1995. Concerts are given four times a year, usually in the Peel Hall of the University of Salford
, sometimes with professional soloists. The current conductor is Barrie McKinnon.
North West England
North West England, informally known as The North West, is one of the nine official regions of England.North West England had a 2006 estimated population of 6,853,201 the third most populated region after London and the South East...
. It is also one of the oldest, celebrating its 60th year in 2007. It is based at Salford, in Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester
Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
, 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 late Joseph Needham originally founded Salford Symphony Orchestra in 1947. He was a protégé of Sir Henry Wood
Henry Wood (conductor)
Sir Henry Joseph Wood, CH was an English conductor best known for his association with London's annual series of promenade concerts, known as the Proms. He conducted them for nearly half a century, introducing hundreds of new works to British audiences...
, on whose recommendation he came to Salford, where he was appointed director of music for Salford City Police Band. Eventually, with the help of freelance professional string players, he formed Salford Symphony Orchestra. Sir John Barbirolli
John Barbirolli
Sir John Barbirolli, CH was an English conductor and cellist. Born in London, of Italian and French parentage, he grew up in a family of professional musicians. His father and grandfather were violinists...
was the orchestra’s President for some years. After Joseph Needham’s death, John Crossdale took over as MD; his first performance was a memorial concert for ‘Joe’. Salford Education Authority, with Jack Fryer as MD and conductor, later absorbed the orchestra.
After many successful years, the orchestra disbanded in 1985. Following requests from the Salford public and musicians, Christine Clarkson started to re-form the orchestra in 1995. Concerts are given four times a year, usually in the Peel Hall of the University of Salford
University of Salford
The University of Salford is a campus university based in Salford, Greater Manchester, England with approximately 20,000 registered students. The main campus is about west of Manchester city centre, on the A6, opposite the former home of the physicist, James Prescott Joule and the Working Class...
, sometimes with professional soloists. The current conductor is Barrie McKinnon.