Orchestra - Symphony (ICSO)
Winners of the coveted title ‘Orchestra of the Year 2008’ in the inaugural Symphuni Competition, sponsored by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and described by one of the jury (RPO Principal Bassoon Daniel Jamieson) as ‘sounding like a professional orchestra’ ICSO is rightly regarded as one of the best University Orchestras in the UK.
The orchestra was formed in 1948 and continues to flourish under acclaimed professional conductor Richard Dickins. ICSO boasts around ninety players and regularly performs both on campus and off campus in venues as diverse as The Lighthouse, Cadogan Hall, The Dragon School, and St Mary’s, Dorchester. Both professional and student soloists are featured in the orchestra’s concerts; recent soloists have included Charles Owen, Corina Belcea and Gary Ryan. This year sees the orchestra returning to the prestigious Cadogan Hall to perform Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast with IC Choir and Elgar’s Cello Concerto with soloist Raphael Walfisch.
Great music wouldn’t be anything without great fun though, and ICSO enjoys a rich social life, with regular trips to perform in venues across the UK and abroad. The orchestra will be touring France in summer 2009.
We hope you will want to be part of the College’s flagship orchestra!
