Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra

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    • Conductor – Glyn Oxley
    • Leader – Marie Roberts
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  • Glyn Oxley conducting GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
    Glyn Oxley conducting GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
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    Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra
  • Shopper conducts GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
    Shopper conducts GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
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    Shopper conducts GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
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    GSO with Cheltenham Youth Choir 2019
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    GSO with Mandy Godding Theatre Arts Dancers 2021

Tears, joy and awe!

Our Summer Concert at Cheltenham Town Hall on June 26th was one of the most exciting and emotional events we have ever staged.

There were tears when Ukrainian mother and daughter Ala and Nadia Postolatii sang a series of haunting folk songs, accompanied by an ensemble of young cellists from Gloucestershire Academy of Music. The music had been arranged by ex-student Joe Silmon-Clyde and conducted by inspirational musical director Glyn Oxley.

There was laughter when one of the youngest members of Rachel Bowen’s Cheltenham Youth Choir came running on to the stage at the last moment.

And there was awe when oboist Louise Sprekelsen gave a virtuosic performance of Oscar Navarro’s Legacy Concerto accompanied by GSO and stunningly choreographed by Peter Anderson. The dancers from Cheltenham Ladies’ College and Balcarras School were Vivian Ge, Natasha Yao, Lulu Faulks, Angelina Tong and Archie Thomas.

Recording of the Legacy Concerto.

Staged in aid of the refugee charity GARAS, the near capacity audience included more than 50 Ukrainian parents and children, who have settled with hosts in the county. There were local dignitaries – the Deputy Mayor of Cheltenham Councillor Matt Babbage and his wife Susie and Canon Michael Irving DL and his wife Clare and CLC principal Eve Jardine-Young DL with creative director Patricia Stead.

It was certainly an afternoon to remember and raised £400 for GARAS’s work for refugees.

Nadia and Ala Postolatii with cello ensemble
Nadia Postolatii singing with GAM cello ensemble
Navarro Legacy Concerto. Oboist Louise Sprekelsen and dancers
Dancers with choreographer Peter Anderson, left, and Canon Michael Irving, right, and Cheltenham Ladies’ College principal Eve Jardine-Young

FREE CONCERT FOR ALL REFUGEES

Don’t miss Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra’s summer extravaganza for all the family at Cheltenham Town Hall on Sunday 26 June, 3.30pm. It’s in aid of help for Ukraine (GARAS) and we are inviting all refugees to come along and join us.

The concert features talented oboist Louise Sprekelsen performing Navarro’s Legacy Concerto, as well as Ukrainian mother and daughter Ala Postolatii and Nadia Postolatii singing songs from their homeland. There will be ballet choreographed by ex-Rambert dancer Peter Anderson and Rachel Bowen‘s superb Cheltenham Youth Choir plus a cello ensemble from Gloucestershire Academy of Music.

To reserve tickets at £15 for adults and £5 for children for the concert please visit: https://www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/…/gloucesters…/…

or email or ring 01242 528764.

NB If you are a refugee family and would like complimentary (free) tickets please contact Viv Hargreaves on

Summer Concert 26 June

JOIN Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra and play in our exciting Myths, Legends and Legacy Summer Concert for Ukraine at Cheltenham Town Hall on Sunday afternoon 26 June.

Contact chair Viv Hargreaves on , or visit our Facebook Page or website:https://www.gloucestershiresymphony.org.uk/contact/

(Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings (7.30-9.30pm) in term time at Elmbridge Primary School GL2 0PE.)

Our summer family concert, starting at 3.30pm, will feature top county oboist Louise Sprekelsen playing Navarro’s concerto Legacy, together with dancers choreographed by Peter Anderson.

Another major highlight will be Ukrainian singers Nadia Postolatii and Ala Postolatii performing folk songs from their home country, accompanied by a cello ensemble.

And Rachel Bowen‘s Cheltenham Youth Choir will be singing popular themes from La La Land and Slumdog Millionaire, while GSO, under Glyn Oxley’s baton, will be performing Stravinky’s The Firebird Suite and Bizet’s Carmen Suite No1.

Tickets at £15 adults, £5 children from https://www.cheltenhamtownhall.org.uk/

The retiring collection will be for the locally-based refugee charity GARAS (Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers), who are currently involved with helping Ukrainian refugees who have just arrived in our county.

Membership campaign
Peter Anderson
Peter Anderson
Ala Postolatii
Ala Postolatii
Louise Sprekelsen
Louise Sprekelsen
Nadia Postolatii
Nadia Postolatii
Cheltenham Youth Choir
Cheltenham Youth Choir

Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra

Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra is one of the county’s leading amateur/semi-professional orchestras, providing a platform for local composers and soloists. We encourage young musicians and audiences, for example by hosting the Gloucestershire Young Musician competition, and by maintaining close links with Gloucestershire Academy of Music. Read More…

Upcoming Events

Nov 20
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

GYM Concerto Concert

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