The Aldworth Philharmonic is an amateur orchestra based in Reading, Berkshire. It’s named after the founder of Reading Blue Coat School, Richard Aldworth.
The orchestra presents three concerts per year, plus occasional extra concerts, workshops and events. The orchestra aims to be adventurous with their programming including a wide range of styles from a variety of periods and composers, trying less-known works alongside the popular classics. They especially love performing music by living composers and have commissioned nearly 5 hours of new music from their young composers award winners over the last 12 years.
They have a famous Concert Virgin Scheme, which offers free tickets to anyone who has never heard a live orchestra before. They are open and welcoming at the concerts, with the musicians mingling with and welcoming audiences, and generally making the atmosphere less formal and stuffy.
Photo Credit: Are You Listening? Festival
