Past Events

Sun, 20 Jul 2025

Bury Friendly Orchestra is delighted to return to The Apex for an exciting programme celebrating dance music.

Come and join us on a toe-tapping journey around the world and through time.

Our concert will feature familiar tunes and rhythms; including an exuberant Mazurka from Delibes’ Ballet Coppélia, and the Farandole from Bizet’s L’Arlésienne Suite no 2; which contrast with the grandeur of Fauré’s Pavane, and the magnificent Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. There will also be fiery Cuban music by Márquez and the captivating African-American rhythms of Florence Price’s Juba Dance.

The concert wouldn’t be complete without fabulous baroque minuets from Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks; plus a pasa doble, a cha cha and a tango; and we’ll dip into 20th Century jive too. Something for everyone!

Conductor: Chris Parsons
Leader: Stephen Calder

Programme:
Arturo Márquez – Conga del Fuego Nuevo
Gabriel Fauré – Pavane
Lawrence Yates – Dance Suite
Florence Beatrice Price – Juba Dance from Symphony no 1 in E minor
Igor Stravinsky – Finale from The Firebird
Leo Delibes – Mazurka from Coppélia

Interval

Georges Bizet – Farandole from L’Arlésienne Suite no 2
Pyotr Ilych Tchaikovsky – Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker
Ben Mulholland & Mulholland Jive – Kryptonite
Emmanuel Chabrier – Habanera
George Frederic Handel – Minuets from Music for the Royal Fireworks
Johann Strauss ll – Unter Donner und Blitz Polka (Thunder and Lightning)

Sun, 23 Mar 2025

'Film and Fire'

Venue - Ashlar House, Eastern Way, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7AB

Conductor: Chris Parsons
Leader: Stephen Calder

Programme:
Theme from ET - John Williams
James Bond Medley - David Sims - Featuring soprano soloist Charlotte Senior
Lord of the Rings - Howard Shore
Pirates of the Carribean - Klaus Badelt
The Firebird - Igor Stravinsky
Lowry Suite - Lawrence Yates (World Premiere)
Congo del Fuego - Arturo Marquez

Sun, 1 Dec 2024

The Bury Friendly Orchestra (BFO) was delighted to return to The Apex along with the Thetford Singers to perform a festive programme of music for all to enjoy!

The Apex

Conductor: Chris Parsons - Leader: Stephen Calder

Programme:

• Christmas Festival - Anderson
• Shepherd’s Pipe Carol - Rutter
• Sleigh Ride – Delius
• Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Martin
• Carol – O Come All Ye Faithful
• Christmas Day – Holst

INTERVAL 

• Sleigh Ride – Anderson
• A Christmas Celebration – Kelly
• Still, Still, Still – folk song
• Christmas Medley - Sims
• Carol - Hark the Herald
• Star Carol - Rutter
• Radetzky March – Strauss

Photos by Shawn Pearce Photography

Sun, 13 Oct 2024

Members of the public were invited to join the Orchestra for a Playday on 13th October 2024 at Horringer Village Hall, playing

Sun, 7 Jul 2024

The Athenaeum

Conductor: Chris Parsons - Leader: Rachel Sokolowski

Programme
Coronation March - G Meyerbeer
Dunbar Theme (Dancing with Wolves)
Westminster Waltz - R Farnon
PIrates of Penzance Overture - A Sullivan
Beyond the Sea - C Trenet
Pirates of the Caribbean - K Badelt
Wedgewood Blue - A Ketelbey
Folk Song Suite - G Holst

Sun, 3 Mar 2024

A Scandinavian themed programme including Grieg’s exhilarating Piano Concerto, Sibelius’ stirring Karelia Suite, a trip on the Copenhagen Steam Railway (complete with train whistles) and Scandinavia’s greatest exports Abba – and you’re welcome to sing along!

The Apex

Conductor: Chris Parsons - Leader: Stephen Calder

Soloist - Archie Bonham

Wedding Day at Troldhaugen, Op 65, No 6 - Edvard Greig
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op 16 - Edvard Greig
    Allegro molto moderato • Adagio • Allegro moderato molto e marcato

Karelia Suite, Op 11 - Jean Sibelius (Dedicated to Nic Wright)
    Intermezzo • Alla Marcia
Copenhagen Steam Railway Gallop - Hans Christian Lumbye
Two Swedish Folk Melodies, Op 27 - Johan Svendson
    Allt under Himmelens fäste • Du Gamla, Du Friska, Du Fjellhöga Nord
Abba Medley - Words & music by B andersson, B Ulvaeus & S Anderson, arranged by Richard Ling

Additional photos from Bryan Short

Photos by Shawn Pearce Photography:

Tue, 5 Dec 2023

All Saints Church, BSE

Conductor - Chris Parsons

• Christmas Festival
• AUDIENCE CAROL tbc
• Two French Carols - Yates 
• Karelia Suite - Intermezzo and March
• AUDIENCE CAROL tbc
• Sleigh Ride - Delius
• Have yourself a Merry little Christmas
• AUDIENCE CAROL tbc
• Copenhagen Steam Gallop 
• Christmas Medley - David Sims
• AUDIENCE CAROL tbc
• Encore: Radetsky March

Tue, 26 Sep 2023

Following our rehearsal, we gathered in the dining room for refreshments and savoury/sweet canape-style nibbles (kindly provided by Olive's son-in-law Tony) to toast the lives of our two honorary members Olive Endersbee and Lawford Smith.  

Sun, 2 Jul 2023

The Apex

Conductor: Chris Parsons - Leader: Nicki Lancaster

Soloist: Sarah Baillie

Choir: Thetford Singers

Feel The Spirit - John Rutter
Mars from The Planets - Gustav Holst
In a Monastery Garden - Albert Ketelbey
Can-Can (Galop Infernal) from Orpheus in the Underworld - Jacques Offenbach
Libertango - Astor Piazzolla
In the Hall of the Mountain King - Edvard Grieg
Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4 - Edward Elgar

Tue, 28 Mar 2023

Sybil Andrews Academy

At our last rehearsal of the the term we were privileged to be tutored by members of Britten Sinfonia: 
 Joy Hawley, Bridget Carey, Joy Farrell, Jason Koczur and others.

Our facebook message to Britten Sinfonia

 Bury Friendly Orchestra supports Help Britten Sinfonia Play On  

Sun, 5 Mar 2023

The Apex

Conductor: Chris Parsons - Leader: Nicki Lancaster

The Padstow Lifeboat - Malcolm Arnold
En Bateau - Claude Debussy
Handel's Water Music (No. 6 ‘Air’ & No. 12 ‘Alla Hornpipe’) - George Frederick Handel
Swan Lake (Scene 1 & Dance of the Cygnets) - Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Gwavas Lake from Havas - Judith Bailey
Adagio from Spartacus - Aram Khachaturian
Songs of the Sea arr. Lawrence Yates (Premiere Performance)
     i. Rio  ii. The Wellerman  iii. Hanging Johnny  iv. Drunken Sailor
By the Sleepy Lagoon - Eric Coates
Titanic Main Theme - James Horner arr Chris Parsons
The Blue Danube - Johann Strauss II

Tue, 6 Dec 2022

All Saints Church

Conductor: Chris Parsons - Leader: Nicki Lancaster

Christmas Festival - Leroy Anderson
Audience Carol - O Come all ye faithful
Padstow Lifeboat - Op94 - Malcolm Arnold
Carol of the Bells - Mykola Leontovich
Jingle Midwinter Away - Lawrence Yates
Audience Carol - Good King Wenceslas
The Blue Danube - Johann Strauss II
Christmas Medley - David Sims
Christmas Suite No.2 - Lawrence Yates
Audience Carol - Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Audience carol - We wish you a Merry Christmas
Radetzky March - Johann Strauss I

Collection for the charity Jessie's Fund raised £433.

Tue, 22 Nov 2022

Sybil Andrews Academy

Tue, 15 Nov 2022

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Sun, 9 Oct 2022

Sybil Andrews Academy

Sibelius – Karelia Suite
Schumann – a selection from Symphony No. 3
Piazzolla – Libertango
Mancini – Pink Panther Theme

Sun, 3 Jul 2022

The Apex

Conductor: Chris Parsons - Leader: Nicki Lancaster

Soloist John Holland-Avery

Fanfare for the Common Man - Aaron Copland
Theme from The Magnificent Seven - Elmer Bernstein
Shenandoah - Traditional folk song - arr Parsons
Walking the Dog - George Gershwin
Old American Songs Set 1 - Aaron Copland

Star Wars Main Theme - John Williams
West (Native American Suite) - Lawrence Yates
Nature Boy - Eden Ahbez
The Stars and Stripes Forever - John Philip Sousa
Charleston - James P Johnson

Sun, 6 Mar 2022

The Apex

Conductor: Chris Parsons - Leader: Nicki Lancaster

Academic Festival Overture - Brahms - video
Italian Suite - Lawrence Yates
Bells Across the Meadows - Albert Ketèlbey - video
Suffolk Suite - Doreen Carwithen
Finlandia - Sibelius
Danzón No. 2 - Márquez - video

Tue, 7 Dec 2021

All Saints Church

Our first live concert since March 2020!!

Conductor: Chris Parsons - Leader: Nicki Lancaster

A Christmas Festival - Leroy Anderson
Two French Carols - Lawrence Yates 
Christmas Overture - Samuel Coleridge-Taylor
Bells across the Meadows - Albert Ketèlbey
Jingle Midwinter Away – Lawrence Yates
Suffolk Suite (3 movements) - Doreen Carwithen
Christmas Medley - David Sims
Encore – Radetzky March - Johan Strauss

Collection raised £285.95 for Jessie’s Fund

Sun, 19 Sep 2021

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Tue, 7 Sep 2021

We hold our first proper rehearsal back in Sybil Andrews Academy.   Still widely spaced and some wearing masks.

Tue, 6 Jul 2021

We hold our last rehearsal of the term, and in the hope that it is our last ever Zoom rehearsal, and to replace a live concert, we play through many of the pieces we have been rehearsing this last year, and wear our concert clothes (at least on the top half).

Tue, 25 May 2021

We hold our second live rehearsal of 2021 at The Apex.  Full capacity of the Apex under Covid regulations.  Three more people join from home via Zoom.

Tue, 18 May 2021

We hold our first live rehearsal of 2021 at The Apex.



  

Sat, 5 Dec 2020

We held our first live rehearsal since March at The Apex.  We held one more Zoom reheasal on 8 December hoping to return to live rehearsals in the New Year.  Sadly this did not happen until May 2021

Tue, 24 Nov 2020

We held our AGM by Zoom.
See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Tue, 7 Apr 2020 to Tue, 1 Dec 2020

We rehearsed weekly during term-time by Zoom with regular attendances in excess of 25.  We prepared virtual recordings of some of our pieces.

Tue, 31 Mar 2020

We held an informal Zoom get-together:

Sun, 1 Mar 2020

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

Conductor: Chris Parsons
Leader: Nicola Lancaster

Giuseppe Verdi - Overture to Nabucco
Oskar Lindberg (arranged by Edward Pullin) - Gammal Fabodpsalm Fran Dalarna
Bernhard Henrik Crusell - Clarinet Concerto No 2, Op 5
(Soloist: Matt Walker) 
Hamish MacCunn - The Land of the Mountain and the Flood Op 3
Welsh Traditional (arranged by Edward Pullin) - Suo Gan
Erich Wolfgang Korngold - Theme and Variations

Concert Programme sponsored by Bedford's

Sun, 26 Jan 2020

Sybil Andrews Academy

We rehearsed items for our up-coming concert.

Tue, 10 Dec 2019

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

Conductor: Chris Parsons - Leader (last minute replacement): ?

A Christmas Festival - Leroy Anderson
Away in a Manger
Overture to Nabucco – Giuseppe Verdi
White Christmas – Irvin Berlin
Jingle Midwinter Away – Lawrence Yates
Theme and 3 Variations – Erich Wolfgang Korngold
A Christmas Celebration – Bryan Kelly
Hark the Herald Angels Sing– Felix Mendelssohn
Encore – Radetzky March - Johan Strauss

Collection raised £305 for Jessie’s Fund

Tue, 19 Nov 2019

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Sun, 6 Oct 2019

Sybil Andrews Academy

Elgar: Pomp & Circumstance (Op 39, No 4 in G major)
Grieg: In the Hall of the Mountain King (Peer Gynt Suite No 1 Op 46  4)
Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake Ballet Suite (Op 20 Act 2 No 10 Act 11)
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite - Final

Click here for Photos

Fri, 12 Jul 2019

Ely Cathedral

Bury Friendly Orchestra provided most of the orchestra for the following concert which was part of the Isle of Ely Arts Festival:

Conductor: Chris Parsons
Leader: Nicola Lancaster
Soloist: Betty Jones*

Also featuring choirs from 6 local primary schools, Thetford Singers, Ely Cathedral Community Choir, Littleport Community Choir, members of Ely Sinfonia, and Newmarket Chamber Orchestra.

20th Century Fox fanfare - Alfred Newman
The Greatest Showman (opening) -  ‎John Debney‎ & ‎Joseph Trapanese, arranged David Sims
A Million Dreams* (The Greatest Showman)
Jurassic Park - John Williams, arranged David Sims
Hedwig's Theme (Harry Potter) - John Williams, arranged David Sims
Gabriel's oboe (The Mission) - Ennio Morricone, arranged David Sims (soloist Debbie Farrell) 
Lord of the Rings - Howard Shore
633 Squadron - Ron Goodwin
Let it Go* (Frozen) - Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, arranged David Sims
A Whole New World* (Aladdin)  - Alan Menken, arranged David Sims
Out of Africa - John Barry, arranged David Sims
James Bond Medley (incl Skyfall - soloist Tara Bungard)
This is me* (The Greatest Showman)

Click here for Photos

Sun, 7 Jul 2019

Ashlar House, Bury St Edmunds

Conductor: Chris Parsons
Leader: Nicola Lancaster

633 Squadron - Ron Goodwin
Gabriel's oboe - Ennio Morricone, arranged David Sims (soloist Debbie Farrell)
Lord of the Rings - Howard Shore
Wedding Day at Trondhaugen - Edvard Grieg
Jurassic Park - John Williams, arranged David Sims
War March of the Priests - Felix Mendelssohn
Out of Africa - John Barry, arranged David Sims
Norweigian Dances - Edvard Grieg 

Tue, 26 Mar 2019

We spent this evening recording 4 movements from David Sims' 'Sounds of Suffolk':

Sun, 3 Mar 2019

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

Conductor: Chris Parsons
Leader: Paula Muldoon
featuring fanfares played by young local brass players

A Fanfare for St Edmundsbury - David Sims
Spanish March Op 433 - J Strauss II
Habanera from Carmen - Bizet
Capriccio Espagnol - Rimsky Korsakov
A Fanfare for the Apex - David Sims
Coronation March - Frank Bridge
Two Swedish Folk Melodies - Svendsen
Huapango - JP Moncayo

Concert Programme sponsored by Bedford's

Once again, one of our founder members (Mike Baynes) attended our concert and wrote an online review of our concert:

Tue, 11 Dec 2018

All Saints Church, Bury St Edmunds
Collection for Jessie’s Fund raised £450.56

Spanish March – Johann Strauss
Carol 1 – Good King Wenceslas
Capriccio Espagnol – Rimsky-Korsakov Movements 1, 2 and 3
Carol 2 - White Christmas
Sleigh Ride – Frederick Delius
Jingle Midwinter Away - by Lawrence Yates
Christmas Festival - by Leroy Anderson
Carol 3 - Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Tue, 6 Nov 2018

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Sat, 29 Sep 2018

Members of the orchestra were joined by guest players on a variety of instruments, to come together in a fun day playing an exciting mix of classical music at Horringer Village Hall. 

After some stretching and warm up exercises we were ready to go!

We started with a play through of Mendelssohn’s War March of the Priests. A great piece involving the whole orchestra, that got everyone in the mood for the day.

We moved on to Beethoven’s 1st symphony, tackling the 2nd and 3rd movements. A big contrast from the Mendelssohn, featuring some lovely wind solo’s in the second movement, and a delightful minuet and trio. A good introduction to the symphony in preparation for a concert next summer.
We also tackled the Berlioz Marche Hongroise La Damnation de Faust Op24. Great fun for all the brass players present! 

We finished the day with a quick run through of our accomplishments to family and friends.

Sun, 8 Jul 2018

Ashlar House, Bury St Edmunds

Three Dances from Henry VIII - Edward German
Symphony No.3 in D Major - Schubert
Havas 'A period of Summer' – Judith Bailey
Two Swedish Folk Melodies - Johan Svendsen
Polonaise in D Major Op.55 - Lyadov

Two encores!:

Newmarket from Sounds of Suffolk - David Sims
Three Lions - arr David Sims (arranged the night before and performed on one rehearsal only)

Sun, 4 Mar 2018

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

Conductor: Chris Parsons
soloist Catherine Howells

Conga Del Fuego Nuevo - Arturo Marquez
Habanera - Emmanuel Chabrier
Cello Concerto, Op 85 - Edward Elgar
L'Italiana in Algeri Overture - Giachino Rossini
Sounds of Suffolk - David Sims
Danzon No. 2 - Arturo Marquez

Concert Programme sponsored by Bedford's

Photos of our concert at The Apex - click here

Unbeknown to us, our honorary member Mike Baynes wrote an online light-hearted review of the concert in the Bury Press – click here

Otto’s podium

Also as mentioned previously, and at the AGM, the committee decided to purchase a podium for the BFO, as a lasting legacy gift, from the generous donation that Otto Schreier bequeathed to us. A plaque in his memory was fixed to the podium for this year’s Apex concert. 

 

Thu, 15 Feb 2018

https://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/culture-a-friendly-premiere-1-8379164

Tue, 12 Dec 2017

All Saints Church, Bury St Edmunds

Conductor: Chris Parsons

Conga del Fuego Nuevo - by Arturo Márquez
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Sleigh Ride - by Leroy Anderson
Newmarket and Framlingham - by David Sims
Two French Carols - by Lawrence Yates
- Il est né
- Quelle est cette odeur agréable
German Dance No 3- by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Jingle Midwinter Away - by Lawrence Yates
Christmas Festival - by Leroy Anderson
Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Tue, 10 Oct 2017

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Sun, 2 Jul 2017

Ashlar House, Bury St Edmunds

Conductor: Chris Parsons

Overture in Italian Style - Franz Schubert
Framlingham - David Sims
Fireworks Music - George Frideric Handel
Overture to Don Giovanni - W A Mozart
Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream - Felix Mendelssohn
Pavane - Gabriel Fauré
Danzón No 2 - Arturo Márquez

Sun, 26 Feb 2017

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

Conductor: Chris Parsons
With the Thetford Singers and baritone soloist John Holland-Avery

Hebrides Overture - Mendelssohn
' London' Symphony No.104 - Haydn
English Folk Song Suite - Vaughan Williams
Three Soliloquies - Finzi
Five Mystical Songs - Vaughan Williams

Concert Programme sponsored by Bedford's

Photos of our concert at The Apex

Tue, 14 Feb 2017

Tue, 7 Feb 2017

Tue, 31 Jan 2017

With many thanks for all their support, especially John, the caretaker.

Tue, 8 Nov 2016

We celebrated our 10th birthday.:



An aerial shot (at the left, some of our special guests):




Our founders, Mike Baynes and Sally Haslewood cut the cake (made by Camilla Collins).




All our three conductors came. Jenny Sewell (2006-2012), Christopher Moore (2012-2016) and Chris Parsons (2016- ).

Click here for more pictures
 

Our chair, Jane Roberts, read this poem by our chief groupie, Bryan Short:

2006...and all that

Well here we are... The BFO
Founded just ten years ago
By Sally Haslewood and Mike Baynes
They both bore orchestral growing pains...

A cricket pavilion held their first rehearsal
Conducted by young Jenny Sewell
With friendly flair and with hardly a hitch
The music flowed over the cricket pitch...

Then Christopher Moore came upon the scene
Led them to places they'd never been
So the orchestra just expanded and grew
Playing  exciting venues, and the Apex too...

Otto underwrote our performance there
He's passed away now, it's hard to bear.
Kate Stonham on her violin played
A Bruch concerto, in heaven  ‘twas made...

Dear Olive and Lawford both playing strings
Raise memories of some of my favourite things
Both rode their bikes and both played the fiddle
Olive played in the front and Lawford the middle...

Again at the Apex with young Miss Luongo
We played Dvorak and Elgar and Weber's concerto
We no longer felt we were handcuffed or boring
As we were led ever forward, with our confidence soaring...

And of course, ‘the committee', an exotic mix
There is nothing at all that this quorum can't fix
With a deep well of talent, led by chairperson Jane
(the length of their emails would drive you insane!)...

Chris Parsons was invited to conduct us this year
He leads us without trepidation or fear
So to distant horizons we are all willing to go
Oh how we all love the dear BFO...

So now, let us admire Camilla's wonderful cake
And ask ourselves - how long did it take?
To ice it and bake it and to cover it's face
With instruments many, and a fine double bass...

Happy birthday and now let's drink a toast
To friendship and music...  We love that the most...

The event was reported in the Bury Free Press http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/news/bury-s-friendly-orchestra-marks-its-10th-birthday-1-7682857

Tue, 18 Oct 2016

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Sat, 1 Oct 2016

We hear of the death of Otto Schreier, former member and great supporter of the orchestra. (Link to his page)

Fri, 8 Jul 2016

Woolpit Village Hall

Conductor: Chris Parsons
Soloist: Mimi Moll

NEWMAN: 20th Century Fox Fanfare
MOZART: Marriage of Figaro Overture
WILLIAMS: Harry Potter Symphonic Suite
WILLIAMS: Schindler's List
BARRY (arr David Sims): Out of Africa theme
VARIOUS: Themes from 007
MOROSS: Big Country Theme
BEETHOVEN: Allegretto from Stymphony No. 7
BARRY (arr David Sims): Dunbar theme from Dances with Wolves
SHORE: Lord of the Rings Medley
Encore: (arr Nic Wright) That's All Folks

Collection in aid of Jessie's Fund raised £354.

Sun, 28 Feb 2016

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

Conductor: Christoper Moore

Soloist: Liliana Luongo

DVORAK: Slavonic Rhapsody No. 1
WEBER: Concerto No. 2 for Clarinet & Orchestra, Op.74
SIBELIUS: Finlandia Op. 26
SIBELIUS: Valse Triste from Kuolema Op.44, No. 1
ELGAR: Serenade Lyrique
ELGAR: Mazurka
PERCY WHITLOCK: March: Dignity & Impudence

Concert Programme sponsored by Bedford's

Mon, 7 Dec 2015

Candlelit Carol Service at All Saints, Snetterton for World Horse Welfare

Sat, 28 Nov 2015

Christmas Party with music and quiz at Horringer Village Hall

Tue, 6 Oct 2015

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Sat, 4 Jul 2015

Summer Concert at Woolpit Village Hall

Conductor - Christopher Moore

SULLIVAN: Overture to The Pirates of Penzance
ELGAR: Three orchestral pieces
i. Sérénade lyrique
ii. Salut d'amour
iii. Mazurka
PROKOFIEV: Lieutenant Kijé Suite, Op. 60
SOUSA: March: The Liberty Bell

We collected £433.40, which will be divided between Jessie's Fund and East Anglian Children Hospice .

Sun, 1 Mar 2015

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds

Conductor: Christoper Moore

Soloist: Katherine Stonham
BRUCH: Violin Concerto
BIZET: Symphony in C
BEETHOVEN: Leonora Overture No. 2

Recording of concert by Ryan Ortiz

Photos of rehearsal and concert by Marcus (Camilla's son)

Concert Programme by Mimi and Christopher, and sponsored by Bedford's.

Fri, 20 Feb 2015

Our youngest member, Alex was featured in the Bury Free Press.

Mon, 8 Dec 2014

Candlelit Carol Service at All Saints, Snetterton for World Horse Welfare

Sat, 29 Nov 2014

Christmas Party with chamber music at Risby Village Hall

Tue, 7 Oct 2014

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Sat, 5 Jul 2014

Summer Concert at Woolpit Village Hall

Conductor - Christopher Moore

ROSSINI: Barber of Seville Overture
RIMSKY-KORSAKOV: Trombone Concerto second movement - soloist Libby Ranzetta
JOHANN STRAUSS: Blue Danube Waltz, op 34
DELIUS: A Walk to the Paradise garden
DELIUS: La Calinda
EDWARD ELGAR: Pomp and Circumstance No 1

We wished farewell to our oldest member, Olive, who is going to live with her daughter in Essex.

Collection in aid of Cancer Research UK raised £400.

Thu, 3 Jul 2014

Bury St Edmunds Friendly Orchestra becomes a Registered Charity - no 1157702

 

Sun, 2 Mar 2014

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds
Conductor - Christopher Moore

HUMPERDINCK: Overture to Hansel and Gretel
SCHUMANN: 4th Symphony
RESPIGHI: Ancient Airs and Dances

Photos by Nic, Marcus (Camilla's son) and the sound man

Video of first movement of Schumann by Richard (Camilla's husband)

Right -  Otto, retired viola player, co-founder of BFO and financial backer for this concert, enjoys the rehearsal

 

Wed, 29 Jan 2014

We get a double page spread in the East Anglian Daily Times (click here). The picture captions are:

(left) The Bury Friendly Orchestra putting together the finishing touches in thetheir rehearsal for their first public show
(middle) Olive Endersbee is the oldest member of the orchestra at 92, and has been playing the violin for 84 years
(right) Conductor Christopher Moore, above, and the youngest member of the orchestra Annabel Holmes, below

The text says:

Public debut for amateur Bury orchestra

So far they have only played in front of family and friends, but in March an amateur orchestra based in Bury St Edmunds will take the big step of performing its first public concert.
Initially, the Bury Friendly Orchestra, which formed in 2006, was an “interesting collection of musicians,” with seven flautists, seven clarinettists, three oboists, a few strings, but no bass or percussion. Over time the balance of instrumentalists has become more conventional, with all sections represented, and the orchestra has grown to a membership of about 55 players.
They are a mixture of people who are returning to music after a lengthy break or who are launching into learning a new instrument.
They range from the age of 19 to 92.
The orchestra will perform for the public for the first time on Sunday, March 2, at 6pm at the multi-million-pound Apex venue in Bury St Edmunds.
Sally Haslewood, who helped found the orchestra and plays the oboe, said the group was a platform for people were not necessarily brilliant musicians to come together and play with other people.
Member Olive Endersbee, 92, from Bury St Edmunds, who has been playing the violin for 84 years, said: “It's nice to be together; all the musicians together, and as the name suggests we are all friendly.”
The orchestra is aimed at people who are at least at Grade four level. To get involved visit www.buryfriendlyorchestra.onesuffolk.net
For tickets call the box office on 01284 758000 or visit www.theapex.co.uk

Tue, 21 Jan 2014

As part of our publicity drive for the Apex Concert, Sarah Lucy Brown of East Anglia Daily Press visits us and takes loads of photos (unfortunately no longer available on the EADP website) and a video. We love the photos but are not keen on the video because it has very poor sound quality and does not show the orchestra playing at its usual quality. The Happy Birthday for Lawford was played before we had had a chance to tune up.

Mon, 9 Dec 2013

Candlelit Carol Service at All Saints, Snetterton for World Horse Welfare

Sat, 7 Dec 2013

Christmas Party with chamber music party at Risby Village Hall

Tue, 8 Oct 2013

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Sun, 7 Jul 2013

Horringer Community Centre

Conductor - Christopher Moore

SCHUBERT: Rosamunde Overture
KODALY: Intermezzo from Hary Janos Suite
MALCOLM ARNOLD: Four English Dances (second set)
GOUNOD: Funeral March of a marionette
ELGAR: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4 in G major

Collection raised £200 for orchestra and £200 for the UNHCR fund for refugees from Syria.

Tue, 30 Apr 2013

Today we reckon the largest ever number of people turned up to a "normal" rehearsal. 48 orchestra members, including 18 violins. How we have increased in six years! And we are playing better too.

Thu, 21 Mar 2013

We presented a cheque for the £300 we had collected to Vineyard Church Storehouse.

In the picture (from left) are Maureen Large (Storehouse volunteer), Sally Haslewood (BFO chair), Stephanie Day (Storehouse Co-ordinator and Vineyard Church rector), Christopher Moore (BFO conductor) and Camilla Collins (BFO Treasurer).

Sat, 16 Mar 2013

All Saints Church, Park Road, Bury St Edmunds
Conductor - Christopher Moore

Symphony No 8 by Dvorak
Egmont Overture by Beethoven
Les Patineurs by Waldteufel

Collection in aid of WSVC Storehouse raised £300.



Our conductor Christopher Moore and leader Polly Taylor

Mon, 10 Dec 2012

Candlelit Carol Service at All Saints, Snetterton for World Horse Welfare

Conductor and arranger: Lawford Smith

Canon Aid
Carol Medley (Christmas 2012)
Away in a Manger (instrumental)
Once in Royal David's City
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Silent Night
In the Bleak Midwinter
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer
Jingle Bells

Sat, 8 Dec 2012

Horringer Community Centre

Several small groups played to us all. Everyone was excellent but the most popular was a group of brass, drums and an electric guitar. Their “Another Christmas Medley” was bright and cheerful and we were all swaying to the rythym. After the music we ate and drank - thank you to Abi and Kate for arranging the food, and to Tania and Colin for supplying the wine. We tackled a composer-picture quiz supplied by Nic with varying degrees of success (and internet use!). At the end the orchestra played a medley of carols and “White Christmas”, arranged by Lawford. The evening was good fun.

Tue, 9 Oct 2012

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Tue, 11 Sep 2012

We start the Autumn term with our new conductor Christopher Moore.

Sun, 1 Jul 2012

Stanton Community Village Hall

Conductor - Jenny Sewell

Felix Mendelssohn - Concert Overture - The Hebrides, op 26
Johann Nepomuk Hummel - Introduction, Theme and Variations, op 102 for Oboe and Orchestra
Soloist: Jenny Sewell
Malcolm Arnold - Little Suite for Orchestra No. 1, opus 53
Georg Philipp Telemann - Concerto no 3 in D for trumpet, two oboes, strings and basso continuo
Soloists: David Ellis (trumpet), Debbie Farrell, Sally Haslewood (oboes)
Antonín Dvořák - The Noon Witch, Op. 108
Introduced by: Bob Settle
Franz von Suppé - Overture - Light Cavalry
Encore: Lawford Smith - World Première - Don't Panic

Thu, 8 Dec 2011

Candlelit Carol Service at All Saints, Snetterton for World Horse Welfare
Conductor and arranger: Lawford Smith

Brahms Lullaby (arr Tania Nolan)
Canon Aid
Carol Medley
Once in Royal David's City
O Come All Ye Faithful
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Silent Night
In the Bleak Midwinter
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer
Jingle Bells

Sat, 3 Dec 2011

Christmas Concert and Supper, Stanton Community Village Hall
Conductor - Jenny Sewell

Overture - Die Fledermaus Johann Strauss
Carmen Suite No. 1 Georges Bizet
Nutcracker Suite - extracts Peter Tchaikovsky
Sleigh Ride Leroy Anderson
Carol Arrangement Lawford Smith

Tue, 4 Oct 2011

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Tue, 20 Sep 2011

Sally on Haslewood on BBC Radio Suffolk again (Sorry about the sound quality)

Click for Part 1

Sun, 10 Jul 2011

Orchestral Folk, Concert and Supper, Stanton Community Village Hall
Conductor - Jenny Sewell

Lawford Smith - World Première - Folk Song Suite
Corelli - Concerto Grosso No. 4 in D Major
Soloists: Polly Taylor, Rodney Howard, Sally Williams
Antonin Dvorak arranged Arnell and Rokos - Sonatina Symfonicka, op 100
George Butterworth - "A Shropshire Lad" Rhapsody
Gordon Jacob - Old Wine in New Bottles
Leonard Bernstein - West Side Story - Selection for Orchestra

"Friendly Cooperation" a video of the orchestra at work

Fri, 1 Apr 2011

HM Revenue and Customs give us charitable status. We are allowed to reclaim Gift Aid.

Wed, 8 Dec 2010

Candlelit Carol Service at All Saints, Snetterton for World Horse Welfare

Conductor and arranger: Lawford Smith

Carol Medley
Once in Royal David's City
While Shepherds Watched
Silent Night
The Holly and the Ivy
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Jingle Bells

A small number of us played carols for this service. It was very cold, as the snow had been falling for some days and the church is only used once a year, but our playing was appreciated, and we got a round of applause for our Jingle Bells at the end.

Mon, 29 Nov 2010

Playthrough (cancelled due to bad weather) We would have played:

Rossini - Barber of Seville overture
Edward German - Three Dances from Henry VIII
Britten - Soirees Musicales
(arr Lawford Smith) - White Christmas
(arr Lawford Smith) - Jungle Bells

Tue, 2 Nov 2010

We move our regular rehearsal space to Hardwick Primary School.

Tue, 5 Oct 2010

See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Wed, 18 Aug 2010

Sally on BBC Radio Suffolk
Click for Part 2

Fri, 16 Jul 2010

The orchestra is officially affiliated to 

Sun, 27 Jun 2010

Summer Concert at Erskine Centre, Chedburgh
Conductor - Jenny Sewell

Rossini - Overture: The Italian Girl in Algiers
JS Bach (arr Lawford Smith) - Brandenburg Concerto no. 3
Druschetsky - Concertante for 3 clarinets and orchestra
Soloists Mary Brooks, Tania Nolan, Jane Roberts, Nic Wright
Eric Coates - Knightsbridge from Suite "London Every Day"
Schubert - Unfinished Symphony
Mozart - Clarinet concerto second movement
Soloist Tania Nolan
Richard Rodney Bennett - Farnham Festival Overture

Tue, 15 Jun 2010

The orchestra adopts its first constitution at a General Meeting.

Sat, 24 Apr 2010

Concertante Day at St Louis Middle School, Bury St Edmunds

Several members of the orchestra took part in this day organised by Chris Nex.

JS Bach - Brandenburg Concerto no. 1
Soloists Andrew Nex, Jenny Sewell
Druschetsky - Concertante for 3 clarinets and orchestra
Soloists Mary Brooks, Tania Nolan, Jane Roberts, Nic Wright
Mozart - "Et Incarnatus Est" from C Minor Mass, K427
Soloists Jenny Nex, Frances Nex, Jenny Sewell, Chris Nex
Beethoven - Romance Cantabile
Soloists Henry Gold, Rachel Pointer, Chris Nex
Haydn - Sinfonia Concertante, op 84
Soloists Liz Slater, Anthony Desbruslais, Jenny Sewell, Chris Nex

Photos

Fri, 27 Nov 2009

Christmas Party at Chevington Village Hall

Tue, 24 Nov 2009

Playthrough for relatives and friends
 

Haydn - Minuet from ?
Rossini - Italian Girl in Algiers
Bach (arr Lawford Smith) - Sheep may safely graze
Grieg - 1st and 4th movements from Peer Gynt Suite
Gordon Jacob - Noyse of Music

Tue, 29 Sep 2009

Our first ever Annual General Meeting
See AGM Documents page for documents (Members only)

Tue, 15 Sep 2009

We move our rehearsal evenings from Thursdays to Tuesdays.

Sat, 27 Jun 2009

Summer Concert at Erskine Centre, Chedburgh
Conductor - Jenny Sewell

Arthur Sullivan (arranged Ronald Hanmer) - HMS Pinafore
Mozart - Horn Concerto no. 3 in Eb Major (two movements)
Soloist Miles Rackowe
Bizet - Suite: L'Arlésienne No. 1
Tchaikovsky (arranged Geoffrey Tomlinson) - Marche Slave
Gounod - Petite Symphonie pour neuf instruments à vent
Lawford Smith - Arrangement of British Folk Songs

Sat, 4 Apr 2009

Concert with Fen Edge Orchestra at Cottenham, Cambridgeshire

Conductors Jenny Sewell (BFO), Vanessa Brown (FEO)

Beethoven - Prometheus Overture
Schubert - Tragic Symphony (movements 2 and 3)
Alec Rowley - Miniature Piano Concerto
Soloist Henry Gold
Recorder group
Lawford Smith - Arrangement of British Folk Songs (BFO)
Vanessa Brown - Arrangement of three Simon and Garfunkel songs
Leroy Anderson - The Typewriter (FEO)
John Ansell - Three Irish Pictures

Thu, 4 Dec 2008

 

Sat, 28 Jun 2008

Summer Concert at Erskine Centre, Chedburgh
Conductor - Jenny Sewell

Brahms - Hungarian Dances Nos. 1, 2 and 10
Teleman - arr Lawford Smith - Concerto for Viola and Orchestra
Soloist Otto Schreier
Grainger - Molly on the Shore
Judith Bailey - Trencrom
Haydn - Symphony No. 101 "The Clock"

Thu, 20 Mar 2008

 

Sat, 1 Dec 2007

Concert with Fen Edge Orchestra at Moreton Hall Community Centre

Conductors Jenny Sewell (BFO), Vanessa Brown (FEO)

Johann Strauss II - Annen Polka
Elgar - Chanson de Matin
Britten - Soirées Musicales
Bizet - Suite: L'Arlésienne No. 1
Mussorgsky - Pictures from an Exhibition
Haydn - Symphony No. 101 'The Clock'
Kodály - Four Dances from Gyermektancok

Thu, 29 Nov 2007

Rossini - Barber of Seville overture
German - Three dances from Henry VIII
Britten - Soirées Musicales
Arr Lawford Smith - White Christmas
Arr Lawford Smith - Jingle Bells
Happy Birthday

Sat, 30 Jun 2007

To see photos of this enjoyable, but rainy, event click here.

Thu, 22 Mar 2007

Presentation to friends and family

Kódaly - Four dances
Beethoven - Minuet and Trio from Symphony No. 8
Delibes - Flower Duet from Lakmé
Chopin (arr Peter Britton) - Nocture
Granger - Molly on the Shore
Copland - Variations on a Shaker melody

Fri, 2 Feb 2007

Further article in Bury Free Press asking for orchestra members with photo.

Thu, 9 Nov 2006

Our first ever rehearsal in the Bury St Edmunds Cricket Club Pavillion on Nowton Road.

Fri, 27 Oct 2006

Article in Bury Free Press asking for orchestra members.