It’s a rare event when a new orchestra is launched but that’s what’s happening in the next couple of months. What’s more, the Trent Chamber Orchestra will be launched here in West Bridgford.
The orchestra’s Artistic Director, Derek Williams, is no stranger to Nottingham audiences. He is about to embark on his 40th year as Music Director of Nottingham Symphony Orchestra. They’ll be having a special concert to celebrate that but more of that another time. Derek also co-founded Nottingham Youth Orchestra (NYO) and ran that for 28 years until his retirement in 2013.
Derek explained: “Starting a new orchestra is generally not the sort of thing one does at the age of 72 but this opportunity just came my way so I’ve taken it onto the next stage.” 
“I’ve always worked with talented children so I plan to showcase those at the start of their careers.” First up is Erin Vinter who grew up in West Bridgford. She’s in her 2nd Year at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. More about her in next month’s Local News.
Trent Chamber Orchestra’s first concert will be on Sunday Jan 15th at 3.00pm at the Rushcliffe Arena.
Derek continued: “A few weeks ago, I went to a concert performance of Wagner’s Parsifal at the Royal Concert Hall. The bus on the way back to West Bridgford was packed with folk who had been to the concert. Clearly they’re a cultured lot in West Bridgford! I would like those used to getting their musical fix at the Royal Concert Hall to be pleasantly surprised at the standard of their local Chamber Orchestra.
“Quite how I’m going to finance this new venture, I’m not sure at the moment. It would be nice to involve local businesses. In time I would like to build up a fund so that any child can learn to play a musical instrument for nothing. That was the case in this country until Margaret Thatcher came to power!”
“The Youth Orchestra system in this country was the envy of the whole world. It’s now virtually gone!”
“I want to help introduce more children to classical music. Since I retired from NYO, I’ve been coaching youngsters in the art of playing Chamber Music. I’m amazed how many of those children are now at Cambridge University!”
To find out more about the Trent Chamber Orchestra and all the events they have coming up in 2023, please visit their new website at: www.trent-chamber.co.uk.
Tickets available here:
https://www.trent-chamber.co.uk/event-details/italian-serenade
Photograph below: Derek Williams (left) with Rob Rosa (right) standing near Trent Bridge.