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Saturday 4 May 2024

UPDATE – We are still accepting applications for STRINGS and BRASS until 3 May

CLICK HERE TO APPLY 

The English Symphony Orchestra and Elgar Festival present

COME AND PLAY ELGAR’S 2^nd SYMPHONY

With coaching from principal players from the ESO
Saturday 4 May 2024
St Martin’s Church, London Road, Worcester, WR5 2ED
Conductor: Michael Karcher-Young: Associate Conductor, English Symphony Orchestra

 

ABOUT THE DAY

Love to play Elgar? This year the Elgar Festival is opening its doors to amateur musicians from all over the country for a day of rehearsals and an informal performance, in the composer’s home town Worcester, of Elgar’s masterful 2^nd Symphony – one of the most profound symphonic statements of the 20^th century.

The Elgar Festival’s new Come and Play event is an opportunity for musicians of all ages to experience the joys and challenges of Elgar’s symphonic writing in an enjoyable and relaxed environment.  English Symphony Orchestra musicians will be on hand to give coaching and encouragement throughout the day. Directed by the ESO’s associate conductor Michael Karcher-Young, the day culminates in an informal play through 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 on the application form. All applications will be processed on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and the closing date is Friday 3 May.

Practice parts are available to download here:

Symphony No.2, Op.63 (Elgar, Edward) – IMSLP

And you can listen here:

Elgar Symphony No. 2 – Vasily Petrenko conducts the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (youtube.com)  

SCHEDULE

Registration: 9.30am
Session 1: 10am – 1pm with coffee break]
Lunch: 1pm – 2pm
Session 2: 2pm – 3.30pm
Play through and 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 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 a 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 BOOK

Click here to apply

Admission by pre-booked ticket only. Closing date Fri 19 April 2024

Once your application is received you will be sent a confirmation email and link to payment page.

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 also applying to perform)

Any Questions : noriko.tsuzaki@eso.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you!