WELCOME TO
ST GILES ORCHESTRA
St Giles Orchestra is one of Oxford's leading non-professional orchestras and has been based in the city for over 40 years.
We are a full-sized orchestra that plays a wide repertoire of large-scale symphonic works. We usually perform four times a year to fulfil our primary goals as a registered charity, which are to promote and develop an appreciation of music for our members and the public.
St Giles Orchestra concert gets a mention on BBC Radio 3!
We were delighted to hear the 3rd movement of William Grant Still’s ‘Afro- American Symphony’ on Petroc Trelawney’s breakfast show on BBC Radio 3 this Thursday morning, followed by details of the St Giles Orchestra concert on Saturday 20th April, 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Church, Linton Road, Oxford.
The concert this Saturday offers an exciting opportunity to hear the symphony by early 20th century African American composer William Grant Still in full, The work is of particular interest as it represents several firsts: it was the first work by an African American composer to be played by an established orchestra in America; the first to use blues-inspired idioms and the blues as a basis for musical themes; and it was the first symphony to feature the banjo.
Listen to the clip on BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001y2qk (starts at 2:41:25)
The concert which features music inspired by the American experience also includes Dvorak’s well known “New World Symphony”. Though composed some 40 years apart by composers from very different backgrounds, the two symphonies are bound together by the strong influence of Spirituals.
Come along and join us for an evening of wonderful music! Tickets are available at the door.
NEXT CONCERT
Saturday 20 April 2024 at 19.30
Bizet L'Arlesienne: Suite No. 1
William Grant Still Afro-American Symphony
Dvorak New World Symphony No. 9
Conducted by Dwight Pile-Gray
Tickets
£11. Concession £10 (under 18s free) Payment by cash or card
Available at the door
JOIN US
Current vacancies for:
1st violin, 2nd violin & viola players!
Don't hesitate to get in touch if you are interested in playing in our orchestra.
We rehearse on Thursdays from 19:30 to 21:30 in the main hall of St Mary and St John CE Primary School.
MAKE A GIFT
As a not for profit charity, St Giles Orchestra relies on more than just ticket sales to keep our music alive.
Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference and helps to bring the power and joy of music to people in and beyond the concert hall.
NEW COMPOSERS
We have a long tradition running back over 40 years of introducing new pieces to the orchestral repertoire from local composers.
If you would like us to consider premiering or playing your new work, then please get in touch.
BENEFACTORS & PATRONS
Dr Jon Spiro
Richard Chadwick
We thank all our sponsors and benefactors for their support. Please consider whether you can help us too.