Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra

Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra The Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra is a high quality full sized symphony orchestra. Members are selected by audition.

The Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra is a non-professional full sized symphony orchestra which attracts players from a wide surrounding area. Many of its players are music teachers, whilst the remainder is made up of those doing a wide variety of jobs, as well as retired people and students. Their common link is that they enjoy the opportunity to play together, participating in challenging and de

manding music, requiring a high standard of playing. Despite being non-professional, the orchestra seeks to achieve the highest standards possible. To that end, the orchestra has played over the years under many professional guest conductors, as well as working with TV personalities who have compered the Family Concerts. Furthermore, it has worked alongside many highly talented soloists including Guy Johnston, Joanna McGregor, Philip Fowke, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Piers Lane , So-Ock Kim, Terrence Wilson and Alexander Baillie. The orchestra usually gives five concerts per year, in the Nottingham Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Albert Hall and Southwell Minster. A wide variety of music is played, including light and popular items in the successful annual Family Concerts, to the more serious and adventurous pieces at other times of the year. The orchestra was founded in 1974 by Malcolm Nabarro as the Nottingham Sinfonietta, with the aim (then as it is now) of providing a platform for local musicians to perform orchestral music to the highest standards they could achieve. By 1985 the orchestra had grown significantly in size and it was then felt that it should be renamed to reflect what it had become – the Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra. In 1990, Paul Murphy took up the baton as Music Director, and in 2001 he was replaced by Jacques Harry Cohen. Most recently, Mark Heron was appointed as the orchestra's fourth Music Director, taking up his role in 2007. A recurring compliment that is given is that the orchestra seems more like a professional one rather than one comprising enthusiastic amateurs. Indeed, several professional conductors have said that this orchestra is one of the best non-professional orchestras in the country.

And the time is now!First rehearsal for our final concert this season starts in 5 minutes!Let’s get cracking!See you the...
19/05/2026

And the time is now!
First rehearsal for our final concert this season starts in 5 minutes!
Let’s get cracking!

See you there! 🎶❤️

We're so excited for our rehearsals starting next Tuesday! What an epic programme to finish our 2025-2026 season!See yo...
14/05/2026

We're so excited for our rehearsals starting next Tuesday!
What an epic programme to finish our 2025-2026 season!
See you there! 🎶

Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.com/booking/category/pakjeklrkwwe

Albert Hall Conference Centre
Mark Heron
Music for Everyone
Nottingham Youth Orchestra
Nottingham Music Hub

Two weeks to go before we start rehearsals for our final concert of the season ... 'Slavonic Masterpieces'.We wet your t...
05/05/2026

Two weeks to go before we start rehearsals for our final concert of the season ... 'Slavonic Masterpieces'.

We wet your tastebuds for why you need to come and see the Dvorak Cello Concerto with the fabulous Jacob Shaw. But what about the other piece we're performing?
The incredible 'Concerto for Orchestra' by Bartok.

Why come and hear it?
Written in 1943, the Concerto for Orchestra is basically a musical rollercoaster about survival, homesickness, and finding light in darkness, all spread over five movements.

- First Movement: Introduction: Dark and mysterious, it sounds like night music, then gets energetic.

- Second Movement: Game of Pairs: Fun and playful where pairs of woodwind instruments take turns playing melodies, similar to a "game".

- Third Movement: Elegy: The darkest part. A "night music" piece with eerie, slow, and moody sounds.

- Fourth Movement: Interrupted Intermezzo: Starts with a beautiful, longing melody, but gets "interrupted" by a noisy, mocking tune that makes fun of a march in another composer's music.

- Fifth Movement: Finale: An action-packed, super fast ending that celebrates life and energy.

You need to hear this! Grab your tickets quick! 🎶
Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.com/npo

Albert Hall Conference Centre
Mark Heron
Nottingham Youth Orchestra
Nottingham Music Hub
University of Nottingham Department of Music
Music for Everyone

What a season so far!After a short break, we're getting prepared for rehearsals to start for our final concert, and oh m...
30/04/2026

What a season so far!
After a short break, we're getting prepared for rehearsals to start for our final concert, and oh my, it is going to be a fabulous finale to our 2025-2026 season.

Let's get your taste buds going with the Dvorak Cello Concerto.

Why come and hear it?
Above all, it is the ‘king’ of all cello concertos. Many concertos treat the solo instrument like a delicate flower, but in his concerto, Dvořák treats the cello like a tragic hero.
Our soloist, Jacob Shaw will battle against a massive, thunderous orchestra, showing off incredible physical power one moment and fragile, whispering vulnerability the next.
Seeing Jacob navigate that physical and emotional exhaustion live will be electrifying.

Grab your tickets quick:
https://www.ticketsource.com/npo

Albert Hall Conference Centre
Mark Heron
Cello Group
Nottingham Youth Orchestra
Derby Music Centre
Music for Everyone
Nottingham Music Hub
We Are Nottinghamshire

09/04/2026
We hope you’re all having the happiest Easter Sunday!Don’t forget to grab your tickets for our next concert, it’s going ...
05/04/2026

We hope you’re all having the happiest Easter Sunday!
Don’t forget to grab your tickets for our next concert, it’s going to be another absolute cracker!

We’re here! Final rehearsal about to commence!We just need you!Tickets available on the door, so do come along and hear ...
21/03/2026

We’re here! Final rehearsal about to commence!
We just need you!

Tickets available on the door, so do come along and hear beautiful music in a beautiful venue ❤️🎶

TONIGHT - SOUTHWELL MINSTER - 7.30pm

20/03/2026

TOMORROW IS THE DAY!
We are putting on a concert featuring the incredible saxophonist at Southwell Minster. Also Mother Goose by Ravel and Sleeping Beauty by Tchaikovsky! Why not join us at 7.30pm for a night at the ballet at Southwell Minster

Address

Nottingham

Telephone

+447772668281

Website

https://twitter.com/nphilharmonic

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