In an exciting move for music in the West Midlands the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) have welcomed world renowned cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber OBE as a patron. A former principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Lloyd Webber has again showed his passion for the music community of the Birmingham area stating, …
The brochure for the new season 2021-22 is now available to download. We’re almost back to normal now, with a full progamme of concerts in Birmingham and further afield. There’s a Christmas feel to our 19 December concert with conductor Keith Slade – snow maidens, Finnish woods and Tchaikovsky. In …
BPO is offering interested percussionists the chance to audition for parts in the orchestra’s 2021/22 season. This is an amazing opportunity to play with the Midlands’ leading non-professional orchestra in some incredible orchestral repertoire. Successful applicants will be offered a percussion part or parts during BPO’s 2021/22 season. You will …
Sally Alexander, BPO Principal Cellist and Head of Kimichi School, Birmingham has been awarded an MBE in the Birthday Honours List, June 2021. Sally writes :- “For three weeks I’ve not been allowed to say anything (mostly because I thought it was a terribly well-executed prank) but I have been …
A map has been set up which indicates the locations, numbers of concerts, dates of first concert and dates of most recent concert of our performances since 1941 to the present day. The map can be accessed by following the link below: Link to BPO concert venues map
On Sunday 9th February 2020, John Franklin played his final concert as a member of the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra’s flute section. John’s record with the orchestra is amazing. He has been a member for 52 years and Principal Flute for 44 of those. Hardly missing a rehearsal or concert during …
Tony joined BPO’s second violins in 1967, a section he was appointed principal of in 1979 and to which he dedicated his entire BPO career of over fifty years. He would sometimes joke he became an expert at playing second fiddle! Tony loved all the music the orchestra played, but …
Mike graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 1961, and then spent a further two years studying composition and orchestration at the University of Wales. In 1963 Mike began teaching at Darlaston Grammar and Technical School (now Grace Academy), with the responsibility of setting up a …
BPO’s concerts in February 2020 celebrate the lives of recently departed members of our orchestra; Mike Syrett (Bassoon), Sue Peters (Bassoon), Richard Elliott (Tuba) and Tony Smith (Violin). Richard grew up with a passion and talent for music. He graduated from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and followed …
BPO’s concerts in February 2020 celebrate the lives of recently departed members of our orchestra; Mike Syrett (Bassoon), Sue Peters (Bassoon), Richard Elliott (Tuba) and Tony Smith (Violin). Performing with us for over forty-five years, Sue will be remembered for her liveliness, sense of humour and enthusiasm, qualities reflected in the …
