We are privileged to have a world-class symphony orchestra in Dorset, based in Poole, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. However, they do not only do symphony-sized concerts. They have an outreach programme that takes classical music into schools, care homes, hospitals and into places where it is not often found such as rural churches and village halls.
At Wimborne Minster, we were delighted to be asked to host a concert for a Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra chamber ensemble of 19 players. A site visit was made, ticket prices were agreed for the different areas of the church. The BSO organised the ticket sales online and provided posters and leaflets for publicity. The Minster did its own share of the publicity, liaising with the BSO communications team. We organised to provide interval drinks, and people were invited to give a donation for the Minster funds, which they did generously.
The result was a sell-out and a wonderful concert. There were a few tickets on the door, and a team from the BSO Participate team were on hand. The Minster supplied stewards to ensure people sat in the correct place according to their tickets.
The response from the audience was joyful, and the consensus was that the BSO should come again! We were delighted to have such a positive response from the players who were pleased with the acoustic and the welcome that they received: -
“It was so lovely to be playing at Wimborne Minster (especially as I was married there!). The audience was so warm on a cold January night and made us feel so welcome. We hope to be back soon!” Vicky Berry, Tutti Second Violin, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
“I really enjoyed playing in Wimborne. The church staff were very welcoming, and the audience was so full that they had to sit behind us! It’s lovely to see that even so close to our normal venue, the community came out in full to support us.” Mike Chaffin, Sub-Principal, No.4 Double Bass
Lucy Warren, Head of BSO Participate Team writes:
Our BSO On Your Doorstep concerts are fundamental to our mission of bringing music into the lives of our amazing communities right across the South West – connecting with people in local venues beyond our major concert halls. For our string ensemble – many of whom have their own connections with the Minster – to be so warmly welcomed by a fantastic local audience of people new to classical concerts and those who know the BSO well made for a magical evening showcasing the power of live music to unite. We were thrilled to work with the Minster team in this remarkable space as part of our programme!
This joyful event brought people into the Minster who had never been before, as well as those who knew it well. We ensured that the work of the church was in full view and we had some great conversations in the interval and afterwards. People were delighted with the welcome they received.
- Revd Heather Waldsax, Associate Priest, Wimborne Minster