Orchestra Northwest to hold Spring concerts in Derry venues

Orchestra Northwest will hold three magical early evening concerts this Spring.

Established in 2019, Orchestra NorthWest is the only symphony orchestra in the northwest of Ireland and is comprised of some of the most talented amateur instrumentalists from Derry, Tyrone, Donegal and beyond.

Managed by the Allegri arts organisation, the orchestra has become firmly embedded in the cultural life of the region since its inception, presenting a wonderful variety of orchestral works.

This Spring concert programme has been especially designed for all the family and will be performed in Limavady, Dungannon and Derry.

First up is Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. This delightful suite has charmed audiences of all ages with its humorous musical interpretations of creatures ranging from lions to elephants, birds to... pianists! Orchestra Northwest will fully embrace the fun and charm of what is arguably the most well-known of Saint-Saëns’ works.

Audiences will experience each animal's characteristics brought to life by different sections of the orchestra. Listen for the xylophone in "Fossils," the flute in "The Aviary," and the clarinet in "Cuckoo in the Depths of the Woods."

Keen music lovers may spot references to other musical works cleverly woven into the movements, such as Offenbach’s Can-Can, Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. While these references might not be familiar to everyone, all are sure to recognize the most famous movement, the beautifully graceful duet of cello and piano that perfectly depicts the elegance of "The Swan."

This playful work is an ideal introduction to the orchestra for young audiences or anyone new to orchestral music.

The second part of the program features a selection of musical favourites from the stage, transporting audiences to different lands and eras. The film music of John Williams will beautifully illustrate the wonder of the dinosaur age with his iconic Jurassic Park theme. The orchestra will also capture the poignant and moving Schindler’s List score, featuring the orchestra’s Leader, Maureen McGranahan, on solo violin.

Next, we journey to the Jazz Age of the 1920s with the vibrant music of Chicago—expect razzle-dazzle from the start! No concert showcasing movie and musical scores would be complete without the giants of the genre, including Jean-Michel Schönberg’s Les Miserables and Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story. Orchestra Northwest will deliver wonderful performances of selections from these beloved musicals.

And for good measure, they will take everyone on a trip to the Emerald City with the ever-popular Wicked. This concert will be filled with feel-good music that will make it hard not to sing along!

Artistic Director of Orchestra NorthWest Maurice Kelly said: "We are thrilled to present our Spring concert series with a programme which is entertaining and enriching for all ages, and which promises to resonate with both new listeners and seasoned aficionados. We are very fortunate to have an abundance of very fine players with considerable experience and we look forward to welcoming you and your family to experience the joy and wonder of live orchestral music."

These magical concerts will take place in Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady on Saturday, May 17, the Hill of the O’Neill, Dungannon on Sunday, May 18 and Guildhall, Derry on Sunday, June 1.

Details for purchasing online tickets are available at Allegri or you can buy online at all venues.

The concerts are supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.