St George's Chamber Orchestra celebrates its 15th birthday with a programme of baroque favourites and opera arias sung by the Mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, praised by The Daily Telegraph for her 'warmly distinctive tone'.
St George’s Chamber Orchestra was founded in 2004 as the professional orchestra for the South East in order to give local music lovers the opportunity to hear orchestral concerts of the highest standard on their own doorstep, and indeed for the musicians to enjoy making music together on their own doorstep!
The orchestra is drawn from an extraordinarily talented, experienced and versatile pool of musicians, a large number of whom are past winners of prestigious awards and musical competitions in the UK and elsewhere. Many either are or have been members of the leading London orchestras and a significant number are principals in those orchestras. Many others are members of Britain’s best known chamber ensembles.
We are proud to be resident at St George’s Church, Beckenham which has a long, strong and respected musical heritage, and boasts one of the finest church choirs in the UK. With its spaciousness, good acoustics and warm friendly atmosphere the church is an ideal venue for a chamber orchestra.
A few comments from our audience:
'St George's Chamber Orchestra is pure gold.'
‘St George's Chamber Orchestra has got to be one of the best things about being a Beckenham local. At the end of each concert I’m already looking forward to the next one.’
'Your programmes are always imaginitive and the playing first class.'
'I have really enjoyed the concerts over these last years. So good and so convenient for me. Long may you continue!'
'I greatly value the opportunity and experience you provide of "going round the corner" and hearing professionals at work. Thank you so very much.'
'It was a wonderful concert, very special. No need for any of us to travel up to the Wigmore Hall etc for a performance of the quality we have here in Beckenham. And afterwards we were home again in 10 minutes - fantastic!!'
'An absolutely first class concert - I wonder how many locals actually realise how lucky they are to have performances of such high quality on their doorstep. It was a privilege to be there.'