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The Studio Symphony Orchestra

  • Status

    Received: on time

  • Income

    £19.2K

  • Spending

    £21.6K

  • Charity no. 103028
  • Date registered. 01/06/2015

Public benefits

The purpose of The Studio Symphony orchestra is twofold. 1 To provide education and training in orchestral music playing to the public in Northern Ireland through orchestral general and sectional (string, wind and percussion) rehearsals of a range of music given by trained orchestral musicians. The activity includes working with choirs to perform

a wide range of choral works. The benefit flowing from this is that the participants can have a greater understanding of and skill in playing a wide range of orchestral music. Success of this can be demonstrated through member surveys, participation levels and quality of performances (gauged through feedback from newspaper critics and tutors). There is no perceived harm in this purpose. Any potential harm in performing concerts is mitigated by careful risk assessment. The intended beneficiaries are members of the public over 18 years old who have trained to a standard in music which will enable them to participate. The Studio Symphony Orchestra does not audition potential members. People who wish to join are invited to participate in rehearsals so that they can themselves judge whether they can benefit from membership. The orchestra has reduced membership costs for senior citizens, students and those who are unwaged. There is a private benefit to members who are teachers in that their musical abilities and knowledge in pursuit of teaching will be enhanced but this is incidental and a necessary part of the activity. 2. To promote the art and appreciation of orchestral music to the general public in Northern Ireland by the presentation of public concerts, performances and lectures. The benefit from this is a greater understanding of the works performed and a provision of performances of works which would be unlikely for the Ulster Orchestra to perform (for example Richard Strauss’s Alpine Symphony which requires an orchestra of 120+ musicians and therefore very expensive to put on). Success in this can be judged by audience surveys and audience numbers. There is no perceived harm in this activity. Any potential harm in performing concerts is mitigated by careful risk assessment. The beneficiaries of this are the general public in Northern Ireland and the members of the orchestra who are performing. As in the first purpose, members of the orchestra who are music teachers can derive a private benefit from performances and lectures but this is incidental and a necessary part of the activity.

What your organisation does

Holds 30+ full orchestral rehearsals on selected works with professional tutors and conductors each year. A number of these rehearsals will be for specific sections of the orchestra, e.g. wind, strings etc. Puts on 5+ public concerts per year, often with introductory lectures. Provides an opportunity for young, local musicians to gain invaluable

experience by giving solo performances with a symphony orchestra and thereby enhancing their musical development. Acts as a vehicle for bringing different musical groups together to perform musical works. For example, the orchestra accompanies combined choirs on a regular basis. This gives the opportunity to perform works which would not otherwise be heard. Brings orchestral music to communities which would not otherwise experience such music locally.

The charity’s classifications

  • The advancement of education
  • The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science

Who the charity helps

  • Adult training
  • General public

How the charity works

  • Arts
  • Education/training

Charitable purposes

To advance education and to promote the arts for the benefit of the public primarily but not exclusively in Northern Ireland and its environs (hereinafter called the “area of benefit”), and to foster a knowledge of and an appreciation for the art and science of orchestral music for the benefit of the general public by: (i) Promoting the study and rehearsal of orchestral music; (ii) The presentation of public concerts and lectures; (iii) Educating the general public about orchestral music by the provision of public performances and concerts.

Governing document

Memorandum and Articles

Other name

  • SSO
  • 9 Trustees
  • 0 Employees
  • 0 Volunteers

Trustee board

  • Mrs Alison, Valerie Bell
  • Ms Bernagh, Christine Brims
  • Mr Philip, Hadrian Stanley
  • Mr Alan, Scott Greenlee
  • Mr Eoghan O'reilly
  • Dr Paula Gibson
  • Mr Patrick Macaree
  • Mrs Gillian Acheson
  • Mrs Paula Klein

Public Address

Alan, Scott Greenlee, 47 Creevytenant Road, Ballynahinch, BT24 8UJ

List of regions

  • In Northern Ireland

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