About the Bedfordshire Orchestral Society
The Bedfordshire Orchestral Society is a registered charity. It exists to support musical education and also to provide high quality classical music which is performed by musicians from the locality. There are two orchestras: the Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and the Bedford Sinfonia (BS). The BSO has approximately 80 members and its repertoire concentrates on the larger symphonic works of the 19th and 20th centuries. Experienced instrumentalists who are interested in joining the orchestra can contact us through our website, or email [email protected].
The BS is a smaller orchestra whose members join by invitation, and is widely acclaimed for its performing standard. It specialises in chamber works, and aims to include a selection of 20th Century music in its choice of repertoire.
The Society wishes to express its grateful thanks to all those charitable trusts, commercial sponsors, friends and advertisers for their financial support, notably:
Major Supporters: The Harpur Trust, for a three-year grant to help the Society to build increased audiences along with revenues and encourage students in their playing, music studies, listening and enjoyment. The Gale Family Trust for its generous support. The Wixamtree Trust for its generous grant. The Bedford Borough Council in the form of discretionary grants from both Councillor David Fletcher and Councillor Luigi Reale.
Supporters In Kind: The Making Music network (National Society of Music Societies), of which the Society is a member; Steve Monico Ltd of Goldington Road, accountants who advise and audit the Society’s accounts and Charity Commission filings; Jet the Dog, who design our programmes and posters; White Hart Press, who produce our programmes, posters and leaflets; and Mark Bowler, who has provided photography services.
Friends: Over many years the Society has been able to thrive by generous donations and bequests from audience members and members of the Society. New contributions are always needed and most gratefully appreciated. The Society benefits from tireless unpaid work from some 20 members of both Orchestras to organise the endless arrangements for rehearsals, performances, membership, accounting, websites, social media, and secretarial matters, for which we are all very grateful, and without which the running of the Society would be unaffordable. If you are interested in making a contribution no matter how small, or have ideas or contacts for potential sponsors, or wish to place an advert in future programmes, then please contact our Treasurer, Clive Bachmanis [email protected].
