SOUTHBANK SINFONIA

Southbank Sinfonia’s primary aim is to ensure that the most promising young players – destined to be the caretakers of orchestral tradition – are not lost to the profession in the difficult period following college. The orchestra achieves this by celebrating and empowering young musicians to achieve their highest potential individually and as a team. Each year, a new orchestra of 32 players is selected and these young professionals undergo an intensive ten-month programme of orchestral, chamber and solo performance and professional development. Through valuable partnerships with organisations including the Royal Opera House, BBC Concert Orchestra and Academy of St Martin in the Fields and a busy performance schedule in the UK, Italy and France, Southbank Sinfonia’s player gain a wealth of practical experience. In addition to our partnership, Southbank Sinfonia offers players extensive support in aspects of professional development including health, leadership, enhanced performance techniques and finances.  

Southbank Sinfonia has the potential to help safeguard the future of orchestras not simply by populating them with able players but by nurturing the leaders of tomorrow who will ensure orchestral music connects meaningfully and powerfully with society. To this end, the orchestra is dedicated to its work in the community and currently the players gain experience at inspiring children of diverse ages, backgrounds and abilities including primary schools, children in disadvantaged wards nationally, families attending the orchestra’s regular family concert series at Cadogan Hall, teenagers in schools and youth orchestras, and advanced young musicians such as British Youth Opera who benefit from an orchestra of their peers to showcase their talents.

"In such lively bands as Southbank Sinfonia, bright, open-minded young players are redefining everything about classical music concerts, from where they take place, to what you hear and how you behave. If you haven’t already been to an orchestral concert for a while – or ever – give this brilliant new breed of bands a try. You may be watching a revolution."
 - Richard Morrison, The Times, 2012