News

9 February 2022

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Christina Warner, after a short illness. Christina had been a member of the cello section since the Bardi’s earliest days during the 1980s. Messages have reached us from all over the UK and beyond which signify the high regard and affection with which she was regarded within the Orchestra family and further afield. 

Christina last played in concerts with the Bardi Symphony Orchestra in the autumn of 2021. Music was her life; she was not only a gifted cello teacher in Leicestershire schools for over four decades, but also a member of the City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus holding a long-service award from the Chorus. Christina left us far too soon and will be remembered with great affection.

Christina in rehearsal in 2020; before a concert in October 2021 (second left); and in concert.

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14th January 2022

Bardi Young Musician 2022: FRANCESCA PENNY (French Horn)

The Bardi Symphony Orchestra is delighted to announce that 18 year old French horn player, Francesca Penny, has been selected as Bardi Young Musician 2022. Francesca was chosen following a selection process which culminated in a round of auditions last autumn. A student at Wigston College she has been playing the French Horn since she was 8 and studies with her Father, French Horn player Mark Penny. She currently plays with the Rutland Sinfonia, Bardi Wind Orchestra and is also a member of the CBSO Youth orchestra in Birmingham. Francesca is currently studying for A levels and considering further study and career options in either music, or her other main interest which is modern dance.

The Bardi Young Musician Concert 2022 – POSTPONED

The concert, a valuable part of the Bardi Young Musician prize, was originally scheduled for Sunday 30 January 2022 but has been postponed due to current covid conditions but we plan to announce an alternative date very shortly – watch this space!

When the concert does take place, the programme will be as follows:

Mozart – Overture Marriage of Figaro
R Strauss – Horn Concerto No. 1
Bartók – Romanian Folk Dances
Beethoven – Symphony No. 4

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20 December 2021

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from all at the Bardi!

In the absence of this year’s Christmas Festival concert, here is an annual favourite, In the Bleak Midwinter. Harold Darke’s beautiful setting of Christina Rossetti’s text is arranged here for wind band by Orchestra Manager, Robert Calow and conducted by Musical Director David Calow from the 2019 concert.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy holiday, hopefully full of lots of music and joy.

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15th December 2021

Sadly, and with very heavy hearts, we’ve decided that for everyone’s health and safety the Bardi Wind Orchestra’s Christmas Festival 2021 has had to be cancelled.

Those of you who have already booked tickets will be contacted very shortly and receive a full refund. 

Do keep an eye on the Bardi website for concerts in the New Year. We wish you all a safe and peaceful Festive Season and very much look forward to seeing you soon.

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9th November, 2021

The Bardi Symphony Orchestra joined up with young musicians from partner organisation Leicester Grammar School on Saturday 6 November in an imaginative concert entitled ‘A set works concert’. A sizeable audience made up of parents and a lot of students enjoyed a chronological whistle-stop trip through the history of music from Bach to themes from the 21st century musical Wicked via Haydn and Star Wars!

All the works featured were from the current examination syllabus providing students and parents with an opportunity to hear the pieces live. Players from the Grammar School sat alongside Bardi players and, in turn, accompanied five of their fellow students in movements from five different concertos, with some players even slipping out of the orchestra when it was their turn to play solo. Informative commentary in between each piece guided listeners through some of the intricacies of composition and music history whilst interactive technology enabled listeners to vote on various aspects of the proceedings. 

The Bardi has long recognised the importance of initiatives such as this annual concert with young players in helping the players of tomorrow to develop their skills.

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There’s a just a week to go until the Bardi’s annual concert at Leicester Grammar School where the talented pupils get the chance to play with the orchestra! Featuring excerpts from concerto favourites as well as music from Wicked and Star Wars, tickets are FREE, so why not come and meet the next generation of musicians from Leicester

St Nicholas Hall, Leicester Grammar School
Saturday 6 November 2021
Concert starts at 7pm
Free admission (donations welcome)

Soloists from Leicester Grammar School
John Barker conductor

Featuring concerto excerpts from:
Bach – Badinerie (solo Flute)    
Haydn – Cello Concerto No.1  
Mozart – Clarinet Concerto
Mozart – Flute Concerto No.1 
Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No.2     
Wienawski – Violin Concerto  

Plus music from:
Haydn – Symphony No. 100 ‘Military’  
Schwartz – Wicked
Williams – Star Wars

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