Southbank Sinfonia
Encyclopedia
Southbank Sinfonia describes itself as "Britain's Newest Orchestra
and one of the most exciting projects in music for decades."
Southbank Sinfonia was founded by Simon Over
, its Music Director, who, while conducting a young group of conservatoire students was struck by their dedication and outstanding talent, but also by the uncertainty they faced in beginning their professional careers. The aim of Southbank Sinfonia is to provide an ensemble that would bridge the one year period after graduation giving them a springboard into the music profession.
The orchestra is based at St John's Church just opposite London Waterloo station
. The primary aim of Southbank Sinfonia is to ensure that the most talented and promising players, destined to be the future caretakers of Britain's strong orchestral tradition, are not lost from the profession in the difficult period immediately following their time at music college.
The project is designed to support and train a group of outstanding musicians at a critical point in their careers. By broadening their skills, exposing them to a wide range of performing experience and giving them a perspective beyond the technical aspects of musical execution, and to have them emerge better equipped and positioned to succeed in their own vocations, and to engender their own passion for music in others throughout their careers.
However, bringing together an exceptional group of young, energetic and enthusiastic performers without the commercial and structural constraints of an established orchestra opens up an exciting and unusual range of possibilities. These form the basis for an extended set of aims which is establishing Southbank Sinfonia as an important contributor to musical life in Britain and beyond.
Southbank Sinfonia's patrons include Sir Thomas Allen, John Anderson
, Vladimir Ashkenazy
, Pierre Danon
, Patricia Hodge
, James Naughtie
and the Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
and one of the most exciting projects in music for decades."
Southbank Sinfonia was founded by Simon Over
Simon Over
Simon Over studied at the Amsterdam Conservatoire, The Royal Academy of Music and Oxford University.From 1992 to 2002 Simon was a member of the music staff of Westminster Abbey, and Director of Music at both St Margaret’s Church and the Chapel of St Mary Undercroft in the Palace of Westminster...
, its Music Director, who, while conducting a young group of conservatoire students was struck by their dedication and outstanding talent, but also by the uncertainty they faced in beginning their professional careers. The aim of Southbank Sinfonia is to provide an ensemble that would bridge the one year period after graduation giving them a springboard into the music profession.
The orchestra is based at St John's Church just opposite London Waterloo station
Waterloo station
Waterloo station, also known as London Waterloo, is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex. The station is owned and operated by Network Rail and is close to the South Bank of the River Thames, and in Travelcard Zone 1....
. The primary aim of Southbank Sinfonia is to ensure that the most talented and promising players, destined to be the future caretakers of Britain's strong orchestral tradition, are not lost from the profession in the difficult period immediately following their time at music college.
The project is designed to support and train a group of outstanding musicians at a critical point in their careers. By broadening their skills, exposing them to a wide range of performing experience and giving them a perspective beyond the technical aspects of musical execution, and to have them emerge better equipped and positioned to succeed in their own vocations, and to engender their own passion for music in others throughout their careers.
However, bringing together an exceptional group of young, energetic and enthusiastic performers without the commercial and structural constraints of an established orchestra opens up an exciting and unusual range of possibilities. These form the basis for an extended set of aims which is establishing Southbank Sinfonia as an important contributor to musical life in Britain and beyond.
Southbank Sinfonia's patrons include Sir Thomas Allen, John Anderson
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson is an English singer-songwriter and musician best known as the former lead vocalist in the progressive rock band Yes...
, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Vladimir Ashkenazy
Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy is a Russian-Icelandic conductor and pianist. Since 1972 he has been a citizen of Iceland, his wife Þórunn's country of birth. Since 1978, because of his many obligations in Europe, he and his family have resided in Meggen, near Lucerne in Switzerland...
, Pierre Danon
Pierre Danon
Pierre Danon is a French senior corporate executive director, presently Chairman of Ypso Holding and of Altice B2B Holding .-Education:...
, Patricia Hodge
Patricia Hodge
Patricia Ann Hodge is an English actor.-Early life:The daughter of the Royal Hotel owner/manager Eric and his wife Marion , Hodge attended Wintringham Girls' Grammar School on Weelsby Avenue in Grimsby and then St...
, James Naughtie
James Naughtie
James Naughtie is a British radio presenter and radio news presenter for the BBC. Since 1994 he has been one of the main presenters of Radio 4's Today programme.- Biography :...
and the Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury
External links
- http://www.southbanksinfonia.co.uk (Southbank Sinfonia Homepage)
- http://www.southbank-anghiari.co.uk (Southbank Sinfonia residency at the Anghiari Festival in Tuscany)