CHESTER COMMUNITY ORCHESTRA TUNES UP FOR NEW SEASON OF CONCERTS

Rehearsals are in full swing as a leading Chester community orchestra prepares to stage the first concert of its new season.

Staged by Chester Philharmonic Orchestra in the historic surroundings of Chester Cathedral on Saturday 9th November at 7.30pm, the concert will feature music by Sergei Prokofiev, Doreen Carwithen, and Ralph Vaughan Williams. 

A graduate of the Royal College of Music, Lucy Holmes first began her musical journey as a violinist, having studied violin at Chetham’s School of Music from the age of nine. She discovered her passion for composition during the second year of her undergraduate degree under the guidance of Jonothan Cole and Edwin Hillier. Having decided to pursue composition later in her musical career, in the last year, Lucy has completed many notable works, including Pink Mosaics, an octet for strings, woodwinds and electronics as part of an installation at the Royal Botanic Gardens; Static Reflections, composed for the Fidelio Piano Trio; and Blind Dreams, for the RCM String Quartet Platform. She is also passionate about electronic music and is the co-manager of the RCM Electronic Music Society. 

Speaking about the concert, Diana Anderson, Chair of Chester Philharmonic Orchestra said:

"This will be Lucy’s second performance with the orchestra, the first being her performance of Schindler’s List in 2016. We are delighted that she is joining us once again, this time, for the first concert of our new season."

The concert will also include Doreen Carwithen’s "Men of Sherwood Forest", described as a vibrant and adventurous suite that brings to life the legendary tales of Robin Hood. A rarely performed work "Men of Sherwood Forest" highlights Carwithen's distinctive voice, blending cinematic flair with English pastoral themes. The evening will conclude with Ralph Vaughan Williams’s "Job: A Masque for Dancing", a deeply moving and evocative orchestral piece based on the biblical story of Job, inspired by the English choral and dance tradition.

The concert will be conducted by Richard Howarth who has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a violinist, leading and directing orchestras for over thirty years. In recent years he has been in increasing demand as a conductor and has conducted Manchester Camerata, the Ulster Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the London, Scottish and Manchester Concert Orchestras as well as conducting/directing his own orchestra, Manchester Sinfonia.

Richard also works regularly at the Royal Northern College of Music and Chetham’s School of Music. He enjoys working with amateur groups and is Principal Conductor of Sale Chamber Orchestra and Westmorland Orchestra and has recently been appointed Conductor/Music Director of Blackburn Symphony Orchestra. He is a regular guest conductor of Chester Philharmonic Orchestra and Wrexham Symphony Orchestra.

Full details of the concert and Chester Philharmonic Orchestra's new season can be found at: 

www.chesterphilorchestra.co.uk 

...where tickets can be booked online.

Alternatively, tickets can be booked in person at the Chester Cathedral box office.