Haverhill Sinfonia - Haverhill Sinfonia

Haverhill Sinfonia

Music Director- Kevin Hill MBE
Administrator- Miss Deena Shypitka

Tel & Fax: 01440 763799

Haverhill Sinfonia gave its first concert in 1986 as an amateur orchestra comprising local adults, teachers and students with a professional conductor, leader and soloists. Haverhill Sinfonia's performing and musical scope continually developed and the orchestra built a solid reputation as a musical entity of considerable merit giving 90 orchestral concerts over 21 years, all conducted by Kevin Hill. Haverhill Sinfonia promoted Haverhill Summer Music, an annual celebration of classical music recitals and orchestral concerts between 1994 and 2007. Haverhill Sinfonia has given premieres of compositions by Martin Burn, Jakub Ciupinski, Kevin Hill, Peter Rich and Frederick Roerig, in addition to performances of two neglected works by Frederick Delius – Five Settings from Tennyson’s “Maud” for tenor and orchestra (world premiere) and Poem of Life and Love (first public performance). Following a gradual decline in the number of local amateur musicians, it was decided to suspend Haverhill Sinfonia's concerts as an amateur-based orchestra. From Autumn 2007, Haverhill Sinfonia continues to promote the Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist Competition and recitals, as well as concerts given by the newly-formed and fully-professional Arnold Sinfonia. Haverhill Sinfonia is administered by a management committee and is affiliated to Making Music.

The Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist Competition was first held in 1990 and is now an established event in music diaries, annually attracting a broad medley of artists of the highest calibre from the UK and abroad. The Competition was devised with the intention of providing a public platform for talent which might otherwise go unheard and to give musicians the opportunity to acquire experience of solo performing, whether or not a professional career is envisaged, also to encourage the pursuance of classical music among listeners and performers. The Competition is an exciting showcase for musicians – invitations are sent to orchestras, music societies, other promoters and agents to attend the Competition to hear the array of talent.

Promoters of the performance prizes have, in previous years, offered further engagements to winners for return visits in following seasons. Visiting promoters also sometimes offer engagements to other Competitors they have heard throughout the day of the Competition.

“Highlight of the concert was Delius’s ‘Over the Hills and Far Away’. Under the masterly direction of conductor Kevin Hill, the orchestra played as one man in a reading of amazing dynamic energy and urgency. The magically sensitive playing of the first horn soloist was a treat, and Hill’s credentials as one-time pupil of Norman Del Mar became inspiringly manifest.” - The Delius Society Journal

Contact Haverhill Sinfonia to discover how you can participate in bringing the music alive and becoming part of the orchestra's growing band of supporters. Regular Newsletters keep you in touch with us direct.

Haverhill Sinfonia will be grateful to hear from any individuals or companies who might be interested in providing financial support for concerts.