History:  1979-1998

Oswestry Sinfonia was the brain-child of the then newly appointed Head of Music at Oswestry School - the town’s private “Grammar” independent school - Michael Bernamont.

Appointed to the school in 1978, Michael was an accomplished violinist, teacher and conductor but found that Oswestry had no resident orchestra.  Undismayed, he proceeded to launch a public appeal to all the “closet musicians” in the area – the result was the founding of the orchestra on 9th February, 1979.

Such a novel institution in a small market town more associated with the mining traditions of brass bands and the Welsh influence of male-voice choirs, might have been expected to die almost as quickly as it was formed, but in fact the orchestra went from strength to strength.  
Particular highlights in the early years included two Viennese Balls in the splendid setting of the Victoria Rooms (before they were gutted to become a 1980’s style night-club).
The repertoire of the orchestra steadily expanded and developed, ranging across the Baroque, Classical and Romantic periods.
Some of the most accomplished performances included Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherezade” Suite, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral), and a cycle of Haydn’s “London” symphonies.  A memorable performance of the Grieg Piano Concerto in 1991 took place with Moira Gray as soloist - the daughter of a playing member who had been trained through the Shropshire Schools Music Service and was beginning her professional career.  Throughout most of this time the orchestra was led by Huw Lloyd, a local violin teacher for the Shropshire Music Service, and who remains Leader today.

Ian Ward –

Conductor: 1992 - 2006

In September 1992, Michael Bernamont took up a new teaching post at Exmouth Community College, Devon, and the Sinfonia’s orchestral “baton” was taken on by its current conductor, Ian Ward.  He had just moved to Shrewsbury from Devon, where he had been conductor of the Devon Symphony Orchestra.

One of the first concerts given under Ian’s leadership required the services of a talented young timpanist who was “filling in” for our regular player.  His name was Adrian Spillett - Shropshire-bred and another success story for the County’s Music Service.  He since went on to win the “BBC Young Musician of the Year” in 1998.

Ian brought with him a desire to widen the Sinfonia’s repertoire and develop the talents within the players.  His aim was to play pieces previously considered beyond any “amateur” orchestra’s abilities, and to move into realms of the “professional” repertoire.  The success of this strategy can be best measured in terms of the Orchestra’s concerts since that decision was taken.
From 1995 until 1999, a series of major orchestral works were performed in
Shrewsbury Abbey each June as a fund-raising activity for the Abbey Restoration Fund.  Offering no expenses or fees, Oswestry Sinfonia attracted players from across the Midlands who joined the “resident” players to create the Midlands Festival Orchestra.

Under Ian Ward’s leadership they have performed some of the big works in the orchestral repertoire....

Bruckner – Symphony No 8
Beethoven –  Violin Concerto
Grieg – Piano Concerto
Holst – The Planets Suite
Berlioz – Symphonie Fantastique - samples available from our digital sample library

In its own right, Oswestry Sinfonia has continued to offer a flourishing programme of concerts each year.
In 1998 it was invited to be the accompanying orchestra for the visit of the Saginaw State University Choir from the USA for a concert in Shrewsbury Abbey, and this led to an (as yet unfulfilled) invitation to the USA to stage a series of concerts there.