COME AND PLAY ELGAR’S 1st SYMPHONY!
Saturday 17 May 2025
St Martin’s Church, London Road, Worcester, WR5 2ED
Conductor: Joe Davies, Associate Conductor English Symphony Orchestra
EXPERIENCE
Love to play Elgar? The 2025 Elgar Festival is once again opening its doors to amateur musicians from all over the country for a day of rehearsals and an informal performance, in the composer’s hometown Worcester. This year it’s the turn of his breathtaking 1st Symphony.
Following on from the huge success of 2024’s inaugural event, the Festival’s Come and Play day is an opportunity for aspiring amateur musicians of all ages to experience the joys and challenges of Elgar’s symphonic writing in an enjoyable and relaxed environment.
A number of English Symphony Orchestra musicians will be on hand to give valuable support and encouragement during the day of rehearsals. Directed by the ESO’s associate conductor Joe Davies, the day culminates in a showcase concert for family and friends at 4pm.
Previous experience of this work is not essential, and there’s no need to audition, but we recommend that applicants are Grade 7+ or equivalent standard. Please tell us a little bit about your orchestral experience as well on the application form so we can assign you to the most appropriate seats in your section. All applications will be processed on a first come first served basis.
Practice parts are available to download here:
Symphony No.1, Op.55 (Elgar, Edward) – IMSLP
And you can watch and listen here:
Elgar – Symphony No. 1 in A-flat Major. Live at the Elgar Festival. ESO/Kenneth Woods (youtube.com)
SCHEDULE
Registration: 9.30am
Session 1: 10am – 1pm (with coffee break)
Lunch: 1pm – 2pm
Session 2: 2pm – 3.30pm
Sharing: 4pm – 5pm
REFRESHMENTS
Free tea, coffee, water, biscuits and cakes will be available during breaks. Please bring your own packed lunch or plan to eat nearby.
HOW TO FIND US
St Martin’s London Road is a short walk from Worcester City Centre. There is a small church car park but once full then plenty on of local on street parking on London Road and the Camp Hill Road area. Bus station and Foregate Street train station are a 30 min walk.
There is Tesco Express 2 mins walk down the hill and a Waitrose 15 min walk (5 min drive) up the hill for lunch refreshments.
HOW TO APPLY
Please complete the application form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDHqrYU8RRg0jEB-4dlmq04HSDL0mKvfO4IvaS6lj9OOBGYA/viewform
You’ll receive payment details along with confirmation that your application has been successful. Your place is only guaranteed once payment has been made
Admission by pre-booked ticket only
Tickets £25 (adults) including tea/coffee/cakes throughout the day
Under 18’s are free but places still need to be booked and participants under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (also free, unless performing)