BPO concert history: women composers Since 1941, Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra has performed over 950 concerts, playing the music of nearly 300 composers. Yet over those eighty years of music-making, and including performances in 2024 of Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony and Louise Farrenc’s Overture № 1, just twenty-two concerts have featured music written by women, ten composers in total. Between 1955 and 2014, BPO did not play music written by women at all — a gap of well over half a century. Of course, BPO should not be singled out in this respect: orchestras amateur and professional across the world similarly overlook music written by women. The most recent ‘Equality and Diversity in Global Repertoire’ report from the Donne Women in Music foundation investigated the 2021/22 season of 111 orchestras across 31 countries and found that 92.3% of the 20,400 scheduled compositions were written by men — and the 7.7% of pieces by women represented a marginal improvement on the previous year. The top ten composers (those whose pieces were most performed) were — unsurprisingly — European men. Together they accounted for 27.5% of all scheduled works, nearly four times more than all works by women combined. There is no question of the popularity and cultural value and importance of music by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Stravinsky, R Strauss, and Shostakovich. BPO’s core repertoire comprises the large orchestral works from the early 19th century to the present day, most of them written by men, and BPO will continue to explore and present these pieces. But this is not a zero-sum game: performing Beach, Price, Holmés, Smyth, Farrenc, Munktell, and others will not diminish the status of Wagner or Mahler. So while our 2024/25 season includes Holst, Walton, Elgar, Bruch, Brahms, Nielsen, and Copland, in June 2025 BPO will perform blue cathedral written in 1999 by American composer Jennifer Higdon as part of an American programme. Our aim is not mere tokenism but always the thoughtful curation of music, sometimes seldom heard, for BPO’s engaged and discerning audience. Between 1942 and 1944, Teresa del Riego’s song ‘Homing’ was sung four times by soprano Minneth Shaw, including at the first of BPO’s popular series of ‘Music for All’ concerts. In March 1946 BPO performed an orchestration of the suite A Lover in Damascus by Amy Woodforde-Finden, and did so again twice more the following year; however, although the concerts were reviewed in the local press, Woodforde-Finden’s music was not mentioned. As part of the city’s contribution to the Festival of Britain, September 1951 saw the premiere across four performances (with Barfield Grand Opera Society) of Margaret More’s opera The Mermaid (her first major work) at Moseley and Balsall Heath Institute. While More was credited as the composer, her married name — Mrs Raymond Bantock — was prominently noted in the programme and press reviews, as though marriage to Sir Granville Bantock’s second son was the passport she required to being taken seriously as a composer. The opera’s Prelude appeared in 1952, and a year later BPO played ‘Forward – A Marching Song for 1953’ by More at Town Hall in Birmingham. Featured twice in 1955 was an arrangement of Marjory Kennedy-Fraser’s Songs of the Hebrides. Sixty years later, the BPO Concerto Prize competition saw the return of music by women: first in 2014 was Alexandra Pakhmutova’s trumpet concerto performed by Emily Walker; and in our seventy-fifth anniversary year of 2016, marimba soloist Yu-Cheng Chen achieved second place, playing Keiko Abe’s Prism Rhapsody. To commemorate the centenary of the 1916 film The Battle of the Somme, the Imperial War Museum commissioned a new score by Laura Rossi; on 15 July 2017 at Walsall Town Hall, BPO accompanied the ninety-ninth screening (of one hundred) of the film. BPO’s concerts for Christmas 2019 featured music from the Disney film Frozen, co-written by Kristen Anderson Lopez. In 2024, BPO concerts included Beach’s Gaelic Symphony and Farrenc’s Overture № 1. Credit: Owen Gregory (BPO oboe and cor anglais) https://fullcreammilk.co.uk/

The Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) delivered an unforgettable evening at the Broadway Arts Festival, leaving audiences captivated by an exquisite programme of English music that celebrated the country’s rich orchestral heritage. Under the baton of their esteemed conductor, Michael Lloyd, the orchestra presented a vibrant repertoire that perfectly encapsulated the beauty and power of British classical music. Adding to the evening’s prestige, Julian Lloyd Webber , the renowned cellist and patron of the orchestra, was in attendance. Julian delivered an engaging introductory talk, sharing his passion for the evening’s programme and his pride in supporting the BPO. Following the concert, Julian commented: "It was lovely seeing everyone after so long. I really enjoyed the concert. I thought the orchestra played wonderfully and were magnificently conducted by Michael! All best wishes, Julian." A Programme of English Masterpieces The concert opened with Holst's A Somerset Rhapsody , a pastoral masterpiece evoking the charm of the English countryside. The orchestra brought Holst’s sweeping melodies to life, painting a musical picture that set the tone for an exceptional evening. Next, the audience was treated to a breathtaking performance of Elgar's Cello Concerto by the remarkably talented Ella Harrison . Ella’s profound musicality and technical brilliance were on full display as she navigated the emotional depths of this iconic work. Having studied with Judith Brearley and Ben Davies at The Purcell School, Ella brought both maturity and sensitivity to her performance, earning a well-deserved standing ovation. Playing on an 1800s English cello provided by Benslow Music on full scholarship, Ella’s interpretation resonated deeply, highlighting why she is one of the most promising young cellists of her generation. The programme continued with Eric Coates’ London Again Suite , a nostalgic journey through the character and charm of London. Coates’ evocative melodies and the orchestra’s vibrant performance transported listeners to the bustling streets of the capital. This was followed by William Walton's Spitfire, Prelude and Fugue , a powerful tribute to British resilience, which the orchestra delivered with stirring intensity. The concert concluded with two more works by Coates and Elgar. Coates’ spirited Calling All Workers and Elgar’s delightful Cockaigne (In London Town) brought the evening to a rousing finale, showcasing the orchestra’s precision and flair. Both pieces left the audience energized, a fitting end to an evening filled with outstanding performances. Celebrating Ella Harrison's Rising Star A highlight of the evening was the performance by cellist Ella Harrison , whose achievements are already extraordinary. A member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and co-principal cellist for their winter residency, Ella has demonstrated a commitment to excellence. Her award-winning performances and her studies at The Purcell School, supported by the government’s Music and Dance Scholarship scheme, have solidified her place as a rising star in the classical music world. A Festival to Remember The Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra’s success at the Broadway Arts Festival is a testament to their artistry and dedication. The carefully curated programme, combined with exceptional musicianship, highlighted the richness of British music and the enduring impact of these timeless works. With such a strong performance, the BPO continues to establish itself as one of the leading orchestras in the region, delighting audiences and fostering a love for classical music. The presence of Julian Lloyd Webber added an extra layer of significance to the evening, and his praise for the orchestra speaks volumes about their exceptional performance. The festival provided the perfect setting for this celebration of music, ensuring a memorable night for everyone in attendance. Whether seasoned concertgoers or first-time listeners, the audience was left inspired by the brilliance of the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra and the exceptional talents of Ella Harrison.

The Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra (BPO) is seeking a new Principal Trumpet player. The BPO is one of the leading amateur orchestras in the country, specialising in large symphonic works and by composers such as Mahler, Richard Strauss and Shostakovich, and we are looking for a new Principal Trumpet player to lead our trumpet section.  Role The Principal Trumpet will be responsible for the musical leadership of the trumpet section, normally playing the first trumpet part for the majority of the BPO concerts. They will be responsible for arranging players for each concert, including booking guest players if required, and managing the seating of the section. They will also responsible for the strength, standards and discipline of their section. Principals hold regular meetings (the principals forum) at which they recommend membership and are consulted about the future schedules and the organisation of the orchestra. If applicable, we would consider two Principal players sharing the role, as this is an approach that has been successful in the past for other instruments within the orchestra. The successful applicant(s) for the Principal Trumpet role would be expected to become a member of the BPO, for which an annual subscription fee is applicable. About the BPO The BPO was founded in 1941 to raise money for wartime charities. It has gradually evolved into a non-profit-making association of non-professional musicians from across the West Midlands, who gather together for the pleasure of making music to a very high standard. The BPO is a large symphony orchestra with a core repertoire of orchestral music from the early nineteenth century to the present day. The orchestra rehearses each Sunday morning from 10am to 1pm and performs about 10 concerts per year, usually on Sundays. The Bradshaw Hall at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) is our regular rehearsal and concert venue. We give three or four concerts each season there with other concerts in a variety of venues, mostly within a fifty-mile radius of Birmingham, including Symphony Hall and Birmingham Town Hall. Highlights of recent years have been Mahler’s 8th Symphony and a concert performance of Das Rheingold ( “a mind-blowing performance by what just has to be the finest non-professional orchestra in the land” ), both in Symphony Hall. Our typical repertoire incorporates music from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day, in particular large symphonic works by composers such as Mahler, Richard Strauss and Shostakovich; in recent years we have also performed works for smaller groups that have included prominent trumpet parts such as the Septet in Eb for Trumpet, Piano and Strings by Saint-Saëns, and Prelude, Fugue and Riffs by Bernstein. The BPO engages professional leaders and soloists as well as a professional Music Director. Contact If you are interested in the role or would like additional information, please contact Tim Stidwill ( Horn1@bpo.org.uk ) or Phil Harrison ( Trombone1@bpo.org.uk ).

SHOWTIME! A celebration of 100 years of Broadway and West End masterpieces.  We’ll be counting down to our Showtime concerts by featuring all of the fantastic numbers from our concerts.  2 – Wicked – Stephen Schwartz (2003)  Get ready to be transported back to the magical Land of Oz with … Continue The post Showtime – the Grand Finale! Wicked and The Greatest Show first appeared on BPO.

SHOWTIME! A celebration of 100 years of Broadway and West End masterpieces.  We’ll be counting down to our Showtime concerts by featuring all of the fantastic numbers from our concerts.  4 – Sweeney Todd – Stephen Sondheim (1979)  “He kept a shop in London Town; of fancy clients and good … Continue The post Showtime – Sweeney Todd and Les Misérables first appeared on BPO.

SHOWTIME! A celebration of 100 years of Broadway and West End masterpieces.  We’ll be counting down to our Showtime concerts by featuring all of the fantastic numbers from our concerts.  6 – Chicago – Kander and Ebb (1975)  Kander and Ebb’s 1975 classic, Chicago, takes us back to the Jazz … Continue The post SHOWTIME! Chicago and Annie first appeared on BPO.

SHOWTIME! A celebration of 100 years of Broadway and West End masterpieces.  We’ll be counting down to our Showtime concerts by featuring all of the fantastic numbers from our concerts. 8 – Sound of Music – Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II (1959)  The hills are alive! Once described as “the … Continue The post Showtime – Sound of Music and Oliver! first appeared on BPO.

SHOWTIME! A celebration of 100 years of Broadway and West End masterpieces.  We’ll be counting down to our Showtime concerts by featuring all of the fantastic numbers from our concerts.  10 – The Wizard of Oz – Harold Arlen (1939)  Whilst the huge success of the Wizard of Oz could … Continue The post Showtime – Wizard of Oz and Carousel first appeared on BPO.

SHOWTIME! A celebration of 100 years of Broadway and West End masterpieces.  We’ll be counting down to our Showtime concerts by featuring all of the fantastic numbers from our concerts.  12 – Girl Crazy Overture – George Gershwin (1930)  We start our concerts with the Overture from George and Ira … Continue The post Showtime – George Gershwin and Cole Porter first appeared on BPO.