About Us
Milton Keynes City Orchestra gave its first performance in February 1975 under the baton of it's founder, Hilary Davan Wetton. Over more than 30 years since, it has built a national and international reputation, becoming established as the live classical music resource for Milton Keynes and the surrounding area. The Orchestra is unique in being a professional orchestra which is resident, active, here in Milton Keynes – it plays an important part in the cultural life of the city, engaging particularly with the education sector, the business community and as a valuable arts resource.
The Orchestra’s principal activities comprise a series of concerts presented at Milton Keynes Theatre, a family friendly programme at Stantonbury Campus Theatre and programmes of Chamber music at Woburn Church. Members of the Orchestra regularly work with the community enabling people of all ages and experiences to participate and enjoy music and music-making through practical workshops, composition projects, family and schools concerts, coaching, orchestra training and other creative projects. The orchestra frequently collaborates with the Danesborough Chorus and Milton Keynes Chorale; and smaller ensembles regularly perform at Milton Keynes Hospital, the Open University and with Milton Keynes Community Foundation.
Whilst the Orchestra has been traditionally committed to Milton Keynes and the surrounds, it continues to work further afield – performing in “Jersey’s First Proms”; with the City of London Choir at St John’s, Smith Square, London; and off stage collaborating with Creative Partnerships, Slough on and education and outreach initiative combining music with mobile phone technology, supported by BBC Radio 3’s Listen Up series. The Orchestra has also undertaken tours to the USA and France. It has released six recordings on the Unicorn-Kanchana and Hyperion labels. Also, under the baton of Hilary Davan Wetton, the Orchestra broadcast the Classic FM Masterclass series of introduced works.
After over 30 years of distinguished service, having founded Milton Keynes City Orchestra, Hilary Davan Wetton has formally passed the baton of Principal Conductor to Sian Edwards. Hilary has been the artistic driving force of the Orchestra, establishing it as the predominant live classical music resource for a new and growing city, and meeting head on the challenges and opportunities presented.
