Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra. The Symphony Orchestra of the Colne Valley

About the SPO

Slaithwaite is an industrial village in the Colne Valley near Huddersfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Here a group of amateur musicians met in 1891 to found a 'Philharmonic Band'. In its long history it has experienced both triumph and disaster (the full story of its first 100 years is told in its 250-page official history An Improbable Centenary ), but for some years now it has enjoyed uninterrupted success - recognised by the award of the National Federation of Music Societies' Sir Charles Groves Prize in 1993 and a Performing Rights Society Enterprise Award in 1991 and again in 1996.

Each season the 80-strong-orchestra (augmented by outside players if necessary: it has more than once fielded over 100 performers) gives three or four concerts in Huddersfield Town Hall, and further concerts in other venues. Its conductor from 1969 to 2001 was the late Adrian Smith who was also the orchestra's historian and publications editor. Adrian was succeeded by Chris Houlding who made his debut with the orchestra in the January 2002 concert. Under Chris’s direction the orchestra continued to flourish with some notable concerts in Huddersfield Town Hall including an acclaimed performance in 2005 of the tone poem Ein Heldenleben by Richard Strauss, and later that year one of the orchestra’s boldest undertakings to date: a concert performance of Puccini’s opera Turandot. Recent concerts have featured Holst's Planets Suite, Shostakovich's massive Tenth Symphony, and another Opera Spectacular - Verdi's Aida, with Holmfirth Choral Society and The Lindley Band, with soloists from Opera North and a last minute stand-in appearance of the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Anne-Marie Owens. Soloists to have appeared with the orchestra include Peter Donohoe, Joanna MacGregor, Gordon Stewart and Alexander Baillie, as well as 'regulars', Alexandra Wood (violin), Ian Buckle (piano) and Myvanwy Bentall (soprano).

Chris Houlding relinquished the post of Conductor and Music Director at the end of the 2006-7 season after six outstanding years. For the 2007-8 season the members of the orchestra decided to invite guest conductors to take one concert each. In October 2008, Benjamin Ellin was appointed Music Director.

Though not entirely neglecting the early classical repertoire the orchestra tends to concentrate on late 19th and 20th century music (trombonists, for instance, do not join an amateur orchestra in order to play nothing!).

Membership

The SPO is an amateur orchestra and all playing members pay an annual subscription. Extra professional players are brought in as required to fill gaps and play specialist instruments (harp, contra-bassoon etc.) We have vacancies in most string sections and for percussion. Brass and woodwind vacancies come around less often for obvious reasons but we are happy to put your name on a waiting list. If you are interested in joining the orchestra please contact the secretary. There is no formal audition and in the first instance we invite those interested in joining to attend rehearsals to see how they get on. Membership is subject to the agreement of the committee.

Management

The orchestra is managed by a voluntary committee, elected from the membership, which also includes a representative from our Patrons.

Accounts

Our annual accounts are available for viewing/download here:

SPO annual accounts 2007-2008


	Home	SPO	Concerts	Tickets	Patrons	Sponsors	Members	Links	Contact

	About the SPO Slaithwaite is an industrial village in the Colne Valley near Huddersfield in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Here a group of amateur musicians met in 1891 to found a 'Philharmonic Band'. In its long history it has experienced both triumph and disaster (the full story of its first 100 years is told in its 250-page official history An Improbable Centenary ), but for some years now it has enjoyed uninterrupted success - recognised by the award of the National Federation of Music Societies' Sir Charles Groves Prize in 1993 and a Performing Rights Society Enterprise Award in 1991 and again in 1996. Each season the 80-strong-orchestra (augmented by outside players if necessary: it has more than once fielded over 100 performers) gives three or four concerts in Huddersfield Town Hall, and further concerts in other venues. Its conductor from 1969 to 2001 was the late Adrian Smith who was also the orchestra's historian and publications editor. Adrian was succeeded by Chris Houlding who made his debut with the orchestra in the January 2002 concert. Under Chris’s direction the orchestra continued to flourish with some notable concerts in Huddersfield Town Hall including an acclaimed performance in 2005 of the tone poem Ein Heldenleben by Richard Strauss, and later that year one of the orchestra’s boldest undertakings to date: a concert performance of Puccini’s opera Turandot. Recent concerts have featured Holst's Planets Suite, Shostakovich's massive Tenth Symphony, and another Opera Spectacular - Verdi's Aida, with Holmfirth Choral Society and The Lindley Band, with soloists from Opera North and a last minute stand-in appearance of the internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano, Anne-Marie Owens. Soloists to have appeared with the orchestra include Peter Donohoe, Joanna MacGregor, Gordon Stewart and Alexander Baillie, as well as 'regulars', Alexandra Wood (violin), Ian Buckle (piano) and Myvanwy Bentall (soprano). Chris Houlding relinquished the post of Conductor and Music Director at the end of the 2006-7 season after six outstanding years. For the 2007-8 season the members of the orchestra decided to invite guest conductors to take one concert each. In October 2008, Benjamin Ellin was appointed Music Director. Though not entirely neglecting the early classical repertoire the orchestra tends to concentrate on late 19th and 20th century music (trombonists, for instance, do not join an amateur orchestra in order to play nothing!). Membership The SPO is an amateur orchestra and all playing members pay an annual subscription. Extra professional players are brought in as required to fill gaps and play specialist instruments (harp, contra-bassoon etc.) We have vacancies in most string sections and for percussion. Brass and woodwind vacancies come around less often for obvious reasons but we are happy to put your name on a waiting list. If you are interested in joining the orchestra please contact the secretary. There is no formal audition and in the first instance we invite those interested in joining to attend rehearsals to see how they get on. Membership is subject to the agreement of the committee. Management The orchestra is managed by a voluntary committee, elected from the membership, which also includes a representative from our Patrons. Accounts Our annual accounts are available for viewing/download here: SPO annual accounts 2007-2008

SPO History
Repertoire

Adrian Smith
Benjamin Ellin
Contact the Secretary






	Back to Home Page