THE ACADEMY of ST OLAVE’S – Blogs

Read about the charities we support and other news and views from the Academy of St Olave’s Chamber Orchestra in York

Farewell Symphony!

Farewell Symphony!

by Tina Sanderson

When the Academy of St Olave’s gave its first concert in 1978, the leader of the orchestra was Robin Gilbert, Headmaster of Easingwold School. Naturally he invited talented pupils to play in the orchestra, and our chairman Christine Smith was one of them! Robin’s tenure as leader of the Academy saw a steady trickle of young players recruited into the ranks, and the tradition continues.

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Mozart, Prague and the Marriage of Figaro

Mozart, Prague and the Marriage of Figaro

by Tina Sanderson

We are pleased to be back in St Olave’s Church for our Mozart in Prague concert following the church roof repairs. In the concert we perform the Overture and highlights from the Marriage of Figaro in Italian, followed by Symphony No.38 in D major (Prague). For Figaro we have four excellent soloists all with York connections!

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St Olave’s Church Roof Repairs

St Olave’s Church Roof Repairs

by Tina Sanderson

On a mild Sunday morning in mid-December 2015 the congregation of St Olave’s Church, York were told the shocking news that the church would be closed for 3-4 months starting at the beginning of January. But what of the church bookings – and the Academy of St Olave’s concert in January?

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The Georges, Academy of St Olave’s and the 3 Birthday Boys!

The Georges, Academy of St Olave’s and the 3 Birthday Boys!

By Jacob George

It’s Thursday evening in mid-September, which means the second rehearsal for the Academy of St Olave’s Triple 150th Anniversary concert has just come to a close. Tonight we have thoroughly cracked the third and last movement of Sibelius’s Fifth Symphony…

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Focus on Jessie’s Fund

Focus on Jessie’s Fund

By Tina Sanderson

The Academy of St Olave’s has been supporting Jessie’s Fund for many years. Our concert on 27th June is for the charity’s 20th anniversary. Beethoven “Choral” Symphony requires a larger orchestra than usual, the Yorkshire Bach Choir are performing, there is a children’s choir singing six of Jessie’s poems set to music by David Blake, and we have four stunning soloists.

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