Bath Philharmonia is a leading professional orchestra based in Bath. It is the largest organisation of its type in the South of England after the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The orchestra gives some 25 performances annually, many featuring internationally renowned soloists. It’s players are among the finest and most experienced orchestral musicians in Britain.

The orchestra’s objectives are threefold:

• To be the premier professional classical symphonic ensemble based in the South West.

• To engage with young people and children in the area in order to help them enjoy, understand and, where possible, take part in musical activity.

• To take top quality classical repertoire to areas of the region which are often otherwise unable to enjoy it.

Serving Bath & North East Somerset, Bath Philharmonia actively promotes major orchestral performance with major international soloists in important venues in the area. Bath Philharmonia also engages with and works alongside other leading cultural organisations in Bath & North East Somerset including, dh classical – partners in the Bath Summer Classics Series, and the Bath Festivals Trust – giving nine performances during the last ten years, including Mahler Symphony No.8 (Symphony of a thousand), two opening night performances in front of the Royal Crescent and many other critically acclaimed performances in front of an estimated combined audience of 55000. Bath Philharmonia also works regularly with Bath Theatre Royal, Bath Spa University, where the orchestra is ensemble in residence, Bath University, Bath Bach Choir, Chantry Singers & Bath Minerva Choir. Bath Philharmonia also regularly gives concerts throughout the South West including performances at the Eden Project, Frome Festival, Plymouth Festival, Roseland Festival, Chipping Sodbury Festival, Colston Hall Bristol, Fete Champetre (Stourhead), Wiltshire Music Centre and a commitment to serve rurally isolated communities in the South West with performances in Ottery St Mary, Beaminster, Lacock, Chipping Campden, Mere, Seaton and St Neot (Carnglaze Caverns).

Bath Philharmonia’s artistic team is headed by one of Britain’s leading young conductors Jason Thornton, alongside the distinguished musician Peter Donohoe as Principal Guest Conductor, with support from the orchestras Associate Conductor Gavin Carr. Bath Philharmonia’s Artistic Team is not only committed to providing the region with music making of the highest calibre but also by facilitating cutting edge educational work.

Bath Philharmonia has recently moved into its first office in Beau Street Bath and has appointed a new general manager Ms Ali Groves. The orchestra also offers work experience opportunities for under-graduate students from Bath Spa University.

After Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Bath Philharmonia is the largest professional organisation of its type in the cultural sector in the South West of England. Bath Philharmonia currently receives no public money and is flourishing courtesy of the exceptionally generous private giving of individuals and businesses in the Bath & North East Somerset area.