Orchestra to celebrate 60 years of music in Exeter

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and the University of Exeter are celebrating six decades of live music at the university’s Great Hall, as the orchestra returns this month.

The orchestra recently shared two popular school concerts, reaching over 2,300 pupils and their teachers, in partnership with the Devon and Torbay Music Education Hub. 

They are also marking a decade-long partnership that has seen thousands of people engage in impactful health and wellbeing programmes and music education work across Devon.

This month, the BSO is reaching thousands of pupils through schools’ concerts and GCSE Music events in Devon.

They are returning to the Great Hall with conductor Alexander Soddy and celebrated cellist Laura van der Heijden today (February 13).

Above: Musicians from the BSO return to Exeter today. Image: Mark Allan

The University of Exeter is the orchestra’s home in Devon.

The BSO delivers symphonic performances and provides free school’ concerts in the county while also supporting the Exeter Community Family Orchestra.

Since its first performance at the University of Exeter’s Great Hall, on 22 January 1965, the BSO’s archive of Exeter concert programmes boasts some of the greatest names of classical music in the twentieth century and beyond.

One of the biggest stars of the last century—former BSO principal conductor Constantin Silvestri—made his historic last performance at the Great Hall on November 29, 1968.

Another guest—the conductor Maxim Shostakovich—gave a performance of his father’s Fifth Symphony in 1972, as Dmitri Shostakovich’s Soviet-era works began reaching wider audiences in the West. 

In more recent decades, conductors Marin Alsop, Kirill Karabits, and Andrew Litton became regular visitors—and many of today’s greatest soloists from the world stage, including Emmanuel Axe, James Ehnes, and Hilary Hahn, have given memorable performances. 

In 2021, horn player Felix Klieser performed to audiences in Exeter as part of his UK concerto debut, before making headlines around the world.

The university and orchestra share a vision to create a fairer, socially just, and inclusive society—and, this winter, mark the 10th anniversary of a strategic partnership that has seen a commitment to creative opportunities in and around Devon, with a particular focus on access and inclusion and health and well-being.

The events were supported with resource packs to prepare for the interactive concert, plus CPD training sessions were offered to enable all teachers to feel confident in delivering the classroom sessions.

Musicians from the BSO continue to reach out to young people.

They performed GCSE set works concerts on February 10 in Plymouth and February 11 in Collumpton.

They also support the intergenerational Exeter Community Family Orchestra, which rehearses weekly to bring all ages together through live music.

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Chief Executive, Dougie Scarfe OBE DL, said: “We’re deeply proud of our Devon story, of sixty continuous years of musical memories made in and beyond the University of Exeter’s wonderful Great Hall. It’s extraordinary to reflect on the list of famous names that have travelled with us over the years—and we’re thrilled to continue that tradition today of bringing the world’s greatest stars to you.

Above: The BSO's Chief Executive Dougie Scarfe. Image: Corin Messer

“Today’s challenges are different from those of 1965, and our decade-long partnership with the university—in bringing creative health and wellbeing opportunities to people in and around Devon—matters more than ever. We are immensely proud of what has been achieved to date and look forward to continuing our work to impact lives through music both on and off the stage for generations to come.”

Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice Chancellor and President of the University of Exeter, said: “We are extremely proud that the University of Exeter is the orchestra’s home in Devon and are honoured to support the BSO’s work to boost creative health and well-being opportunities in the county.

“We would like to pay tribute to the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s work to break down barriers in classical music and build a more inclusive musical world through its work with communities, schools, and young people. This has brought incredible music into so many lives and driven industry change.”

As well as star cellist Laura van der Heijden’s performance of Elgar’s Cello Concerto on February 13, the orchestra will return for a celebration of film music on March 13.

Celebrated conductor Kirill Karabits will unite with accordion player Ksenija Sidorova for a performance of music inspired by folklore on March 27, ahead of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition with conductor Alexandre Bloch on April 10.

See bsolive.com for details of all upcoming Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra events in Exeter and Devon.