  New to Classical Music Professional Orchestras in the UK   The UK enjoys a huge variety of professional orchestras and ensembles, which differ in their size, style, repertoire, location and funding.Ìý The following brief overviewÌýis by no means comprehensive, but gives an idea of the shape of our orchestral profession.Ìý It is useful to remember that although orchestras are often based mainly in one place, many of them have a variety of small residencies and give concerts in other places around the UK, as part of a tour, or separate engagements by festivals and concert promoters.
The orchestras marked * receive annual funding from respective Arts Councils (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales).
The following are contract orchestras, which means they employ their players on full-time salaries:
*Ìýbased in Poole, residencies across south west
*Ìýresident in Birmingham
* resident in Manchester
*Ìýresident in Newcastle (part of The Sage Gateshead)
* resident in Liverpool
*Ìýbased in Glasgow, residencies across Scotland
* resident in Belfast
The following all have fixed membership, but are essentially freelance orchestras.Ìý The four London symphony orchestras are self-governing:
ÌýÌýresident in Brighton
*Ìýresident in Guildford
*Ìýresident at the Royal Festival Hall, Eastbourne, Glyndebourne during season
*Ìýresident at the Barbican
Milton%20Keynes%20City%20Orchestra*Ìýresident in Milton Keynes
* residencies at the Royal Festival Hall, Bedford, Leicester
* residencies at the, Royal Festival Hall,ÌýÌýRoyal Albert Hall, Nottingham
The following companies have their own orchestras:
The ones marked # employ full time musicians on a contract
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The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has five orchestras of its own, all on full-time salaries:
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Concert OrchestraÌýÌýbased in London
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ National Orchestra of WalesÌýbased in Cardiff (also gets AC Wales funding)
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Philharmonic based in Manchester
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scottish Symphony OrchestraÌýÌýbased in Glasgow
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Symphony Orchestra based in London
were formed to enable him to present his popular classical galas across the country.Ìý They are based on pools of local freelance musicians.
Dublin and Belfast Concert Orchestra
Manchester Concert Orchestra
Johann Strauss Gala OrchestraÌýÌý
Mozart Festival Orchestra
London Concert OrchestraÌýÌýÌý
Scottish Concert Orchestra
Manchester Chamber Orchestra
There are a large number of chamber orchestras all over the UK whose work consists of performances, educational and community projects, recordings and tours.Ìý ‘Project funding’ or ‘fixed term funding’ may be available to them from their Arts Council and some of them receive funding and engagements from Local Authorities.
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GENERAL
Brunel Ensemble
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PERIOD ENSEMBLES
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CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE
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Composers Ensemble
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The Orchestra
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