SISTERS SET TO TAKE CENTRE STAGE FOR WREXHAM ORCHESTRA SEASON FINALE

Two sisters, both rising young stars of the classical music world, are set to take to the stage with one of the region's top orchestra for a special season finale concert at Wrexham's William Aston Hall.

Acclaimed conductor Katherine Stonham and her sister, renowned solo violinist Rachel Stonham will join Wrexham Symphony Orchestra for its Summer concert at the popular Wrexham venue on Sunday 19^th July at 2.30pm.

Entitled "Vitality", the final concert in the orchestra's current season will feature music by Anna Clyne, Antonín Dvořák and Florence Price. 

Originally from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, guest conductor Katherine Stonham is a graduate of a joint course run by the Royal Northern College of Music and the University of Manchester, where she studied violin with Julia Hanson and conducting with Wrexham's Robert Guy. Through her work as a conductor, Katherine aims to cultivate a stimulating musical environment which inspires musicians to perform with commitment and energy. Notable performances include Buxton International Festival and masterclasses with the Royal Opera Houe and the BBC Philharmonic. She works regularly as a guest conductor with groups including the Cheltenham Chamber Orchestra, Wrexham Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra of Square Chapel in Halifax. Since September 2023 she has been the conducting tutor for South West Music School and South West Youth Orchestra. Katherine is the founder and principal conductor of the Manchester Philharmonic Orchestra, a dynamic new amateur orchestra based in south Manchester.

The orchestra's guest solo violinist for this concert, Rachel Stonham is currently completing her Master’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music. Already an accomplished musician, her rapidly developing career includes concerto performances with ensembles across Manchester including Manchester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Manchester Beethoven Orchestra. Rachel has also performed with several leading orchestras including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, North East Wales Sinfonia, and the BBC Philharmonic through its Professional Experience Scheme. Her chamber work is equally distinguished, with performances at Wigmore Hall as a member of the Valette Ensemble, and prize winning appearances with the Dovestone and Juna Quartets.

Speaking about the concert, Matthew Ellis, the Chairman of Wrexham Symphony Orchestra said:

"We are delighted to invite you all to our upcoming afternoon concert, the final concert in our 2025-26 season. The afternoon features a compelling programme inspired by the raw power of nature, historical milestones, and deep human emotion. This performance marks a particularly special occasion for the orchestra as we welcome the exceptionally talented Stonham sisters to the stage: Katherine Stonham returns to conduct, while her sister, Rachel Stonham, will feature as our guest solo violinist.

Matthew added:

"The concert opens with Anna Clyne’s Restless Oceans, a striking contemporary piece written in 2018 for the World Economic Forum and inspired by the poetry of Audre Lorde. Rachel Stonham will then join the orchestra to perform Antonín Dvořák’s Violin Concerto in A Minor. Dvořák wrote this fiery, lyrical masterpiece specifically for Joseph Joachim, the greatest violin virtuoso of the late 19th century. Today, it stands as one of the most celebrated and beloved violin concertos in the classical repertoire. The second half of the afternoon features Florence Price’s Symphony No.1 in E Minor. This work represents a monumental milestone in classical music history; its premiere in 1933 made Price the first African-American woman to have a symphony performed by a major United States orchestra. The piece beautifully marries traditional classical European structures with the rich melodic heritage of spirituals and the syncopated rhythms of West African dance. We look forward to a superb afternoon of world-class music and fitting finale to our current season of concerts".

Full details of "Vitality" - Wrexham Symphony Orchestra's season finale concert can be found at: 

www.wrexhamorch.co.uk 

...where tickets can be booked online.