Lincoln Symphony Orchestra

Lincolnshire Viennese Concert, 2nd January 2011

Help for Heroes - Lincolnshire Viennese Concert

In the 1880's a group of twelve musicians formed the Lincoln Orchestra, but by 1902, an increase in the number of members justified the change of name to the Lincoln Orchestral Society. By then the group was giving regular concerts, and in 1910 it joined forces with the London Symphony Orchestra to take part in the Seventh Triennial Festival in Lincoln Cathedral when the composer Sir Edward Elgar conducted a performance of his "Dream of Gerontius". By the late 1940's regular symphony concerts were being held and the name was changed to the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra, the name under which it has remained until the present day.

The orchestra has been lucky enough to work with some of the most famous soloists of recent times, including Dame Janet Baker, Julian Lloyd Webber and Lincoln-born Jane Eaglen. Indeed the orchestra has links with Sir Neville Marriner, the Lincoln-born world famous violinist and conductor. Sir Neville was a member of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra in his youth, and gave his first performance as a soloist with the orchestra, playing Max Bruch's violin concerto. Nowadays Sir Neville still maintains contact with the orchestra holding the position of Honorary President.

In 1997 the orchestra travelled to Lincoln's twin town of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse in Germany, where several concerts were performed and close links and friendships were forged.

In January 2011, the orchestra was proud to support a Help for Heroes fundraising Viennese Concert at the Epic Centre on the Lincolnshire Showground. Around 500 people enjoyed the music, dancing and a meal before a charity auction was held. The whole event raised over £92,000 for the very worthy cause.

Currently the orchestra usually performs four concerts a year in November, January, April and June although they often take part in other events with the Lincoln Choral Society and the Newark Choral Society. In 2011, the orchestra celebrated its 125 year anniversary with a special concert featuring a selection of film music, Tchaikovsky's "1812" Overture and The Planet Suite by Holst.