THE English String Orchestra, together with their larger sibling, the English Symphony Orchestra, return to the Bingham Hall, Cirencester on Sunday, October 25.

Firm favourites with audiences in the Cotswolds, they will return with a programme titled “English Strings for a Golden October Afternoon”.

The orchestra consists of 10 players under the direction of the violinist Michael Bochmann, who will be joined by George Ewart in Bach’s Concerto for two violins.

A comparative rarity will be Pablo Casals’ Song of the Birds, in which the cellist Corinne Frost will be the soloist, and other works in the programme will be by Mozart, Vivaldi, Holst, Sarasate and Mendelssohn.

As in their appearance last year, the orchestra will be joined for one or two short pieces by pupils from Powell’s School.

Michael Bochmann, who was awarded the OBE in the Birthday Honours for his services to music, is a passionate believer in exposing children to classical music at the earliest possible age, and getting them to play alongside professional musicians.

The concert is in conjunction with Cirencester Chamber Concerts and will start at 3pm.

  • Tickets are £12 for adults and £5 for students, and other concessions apply for parents of the school’s pupils.
  • Children below the age of 12 are free.
  • Tickets are available from the Cirencester Tourist Information Centre (01285 654180).