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About the Bromley Symphony Orchestra Bromley Symphony Orchestra was founded after the First World War, and has developed into one of the most distinguished non-professional orchestras in the country. It has earned a high reputation for concerts of professional standard. Over the years, the BSO has worked with very many internationally famous musicians, including Sir Adrian Boult, Norman Del Mar, Albert Sammons, Dennis Brain, Kathleen Ferrier, Paul Tortelier, Ralph Holmes, Hugh Bean, Emma Johnson, Leslie Howard, Janice Watson and Sir Donald McIntyre. The Orchestra rehearses on Mondays and welcomes applications from prospective new members, who should contact the Chairman. The results of the most recent audience survey we conducted in November 2005 are here.
PatronsWe are extremely grateful for the generosity of our Patrons, who provide a much valued source of funding, without which it would be impossible to present such interesting and ambitious programmes. Patrons receive an annual newsletter at the start of the season, have preferential seat booking and are entitled to complimentary tickets worth up to a quarter of their donation. Our current patrons are listed below and in our programmes.
If you are able to support the orchestra in this way, please send your donation (we suggest a minimum of £15 for individuals, £20 for couples) to The Treasurer, Mr. Phil McKerracher, 50 Blakehall Road, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3EZ. Please make cheques payable to Bromley Symphony Orchestra. Conductor
Adrian Brown comes from a distinguished line of pupils of Sir Adrian Boult. After graduating from the Royal Academy of Music in London, he studied with Sir Adrian with whom he worked for some years. He remains the only British conductor to have reached the finals of the Karajan Conductors’ Competition and the Berlin Philharmonic was the first professional orchestra he conducted. Sir Adrian said of his work: “He has always impressed me as a musician of exceptional attainments who has all the right gifts and ideas to make him a first class conductor”. In 1992 Adrian Brown was engaged to conduct one of the great orchestras of the world, the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra. He was immediately invited to return. In 1998 he was invited to work with the Camerata Salzburg, one of Europe’s foremost chamber orchestras at the invitation of Sir Roger Norrington. Adrian has worked regularly with many leading British orchestras including the City of Birmingham Symphony, the BBC Symphony, the BBC Scottish Symphony and the London Sinfonietta. He is also a great proponent of contemporary music and has several first performances to his credit Working with young musicians has been an area where Adrian Brown has made a singular contribution to the musical life of not only this country, but also in Europe and further afield. He has been a frequent visitor to conduct both the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, working closely with Sir Colin Davis and Sir Roger Norrington, and the National Youth Wind Orchestra. He regularly runs courses for young musicians and his success in this general area was recognised when he was given the Novello Award for Youth Orchestras at the 1989 Edinburgh Festival conducting Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra with whom he has been Musical Director for thirty years; he conducted Stoneleigh's Diamond Jubilee Concert in March 2005. He has conducted at the Royal Academy of Music on a number of occasions and worked with their Senior Orchestra. He has been a regular chairman of the jury for the National Association of Youth Orchestras’ Conducting Competition. In 1996 he went to Japan to work with the Toyama Academy Orchestra, a visit that was received with much acclaim from all those with whom he worked. Many engagements have included a Millennium performance of Tippett’s ‘Child of Our Time’, ‘Die Fledermaus’, Verdi's Requiem and the works of Berlioz, Elgar and Vaughan Williams, all much admired. He received rave reviews in 'The Guardian' for a performance of Strauss’s ‘Feuersnot’ with the Chelsea Opera Group and for his 'Ein Heldenleben'. He has performed successful concerts with the Salomon Orchestra and Goldsmith’s Sinfonia, returning to The Salomon in February 2005 for a Concert at St. John's, Smith Square, performing British music including Tippett's Concerto for Orchestra and receiving great acclamation for his interpretation. Adrian Brown was one of a hundred musicians presented with a prestigious Classic FM Award at their Tenth Birthday Honours Celebration in June 2002. Leader
Officers
Useful LinksAll Risks Musical - a book by Alice McVeigh, our principal cellist for 25 years Andrey Anisimov - paintings inspired by music BromleyNet - events and businesses in Bromley. Concert-Diary.com listings John Carmichael Photography - professional photographer (and BSO member). The London Borough of Bromley. Salomon Orchestra - concerts in Westminster from one of London's premier non-professional orchestras. Speakers of Bromley - a club for people who enjoy public speaking or who want to improve their communication skills. West Wickham - is in the Bromley Borough, has a history back to 1086, now has over 100 businesses around the High Street including over 30 places to eat or drink.
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As
leader of Bromley Symphony Orchestra since 1989, Bernard has
played the solo part in many compositions, including
the Bliss Violin Concerto, Prokofiev's Second Violin
Concerto and Vaughan Williams' 'Lark Ascending'.