Southbank Sinfonia is a British chamber orchestra founded in 2002. Composed of young professionals from around the world, each year it brings together 33 graduate musicians for a programme of performance and professional development. The annual fellowship comprises performances across Britain and Europe, and features orchestral repertoire, chamber music, opera, dance and theatre, alongside artist development sessions. An integral part of the programme is the orchestra's creative partnerships with performing arts organisations including the

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, the National Theatre and artists such as Patron

Vladimir Ashkenazy Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazy (russian: Влади́мир Дави́дович Ашкена́зи, ''Vladimir Davidovich Ashkenazi''; born 6 July 1937) is an internationally recognized solo pianist, chamber music performer, and conductor. He ...

. Southbank Sinfonia is based at

St John's, Smith Square St John's Smith Square is a redundant church in the centre of Smith Square, Westminster, London. Sold to a charitable trust as a ruin following firebombing in the Second World War, it was restored as a concert hall. This Grade I listed ...

, where a regular series of free 'Rush Hour' concerts are held throughout the year. The orchestra frequently collaborates with artists from other music genres, including

Squarepusher Tom Jenkinson (born 17 January 1975), known professionally as Squarepusher, is an English electronic musician, record producer, bassist, multi-instrumentalist and DJ. His music spans several genres including drum and bass, IDM, acid house, ac ...

in 2013, as well as in theatrical projects with the National Theatre. These have included critically acclaimed productions of

Amadeus Amadeus may refer to: *Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791), prolific and influential composer of classical music *Amadeus (name), a given name and people with the name * ''Amadeus'' (play), 1979 stage play by Peter Shaffer * ''Amadeus'' (film), ...

in 2016/18, and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour in 2009/10. The orchestra was shortlisted for a

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Award for Ensemble in 2016 and a Royal Philharmonic Society Award for Concert Series and Festivals in 2017 for #ConcertLab, a series that explores new approaches to concert presentation. Southbank Sinfonia is the resident orchestra of the Anghiari Festival, held in the town of

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(Tuscany, Italy) each July. Southbank Sinfonia's patrons include Sir Thomas Allen, John Anderson,

, Edward Gardner,

Patricia Hodge Patricia Ann Hodge, OBE (born 29 September 1946) is an English actor. She is known on-screen for playing Phyllida Erskine-Brown in '' Rumpole of the Bailey'' (1978–1992), Jemima Shore in ''Jemima Shore Investigates'' (1983), Penny in '' Mira ...

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and the Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury.

History

Southbank Sinfonia was founded in 2002 by Simon Over, its Music Director. The aim of Southbank Sinfonia is to provide an ensemble that would bridge the one-year period after graduation, giving them a springboard into the music profession.

References

{{Authority control London orchestras Chamber orchestras