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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

The artistic team is led by Jason Thornton, one of Britains most exciting young conductors. Commercial activity is managed by Ali Groves from the Company’s offices in Beau Street in Bath. The Chairman is Denis Gamberoni.

Performances have included Mahler 8 at Green Park, the Busoni piano concerto with Peter Donohoe at the Forum, both as part of the Bath International Music Festival, Elijah with Willard White at Bath Abbey, and Ravel Piano Concerto with Joanna McGregor at the Forum.

During 2007 the orchestra gave a Summer Classics series of five concerts at Bath Abbey and the Forum featuring soloists including Peter Donohoe, Michael Collins, Carlos Bonell, and Tasmin Little. Each concert featured a young soloist. In September, at the Opera Gala held at the Abbey, the orchestra accompanied soprano Sumi Jo and arias performed by members of Jette Parker Young Artists Programme. The orchestra works regularly with several choirs in the region and gives performances at the Theatre Royal in Bath including the very popular New Years Eve concert.

Bath Philharmonia has a proud record of education work. During recent years members of the orchestra, led by Jason Thornton, have worked closely with Critchell Special Needs School in Frome and has performed educational residencies at a variety of schools in the region. As part of the orchestra’s commitment to supporting young musicians, each concert in the 2007 Summer Classics included a piece played by a young soloist; this will be the case again in 2008.

Many composers commissioned or scribed orchestral reductions, including works by Brahms, Bruckner, Mahler and Mozart. The orchestra undertakes a touring programme designed to bring these major symphonic works, for 8 to 14 players, to venues that would otherwise be unable to host full orchestral ensembles.

Bath Philharmonia is a registered charity. It receives no public funding, relying on the generous support of its corporate and individual donors and sponsors.