St George’s Chamber Orchestra
Beckenham's Professional Orchestra
Forthcoming Events (1)
Sunday 12th May 2024, 5:00 pm: St George’s Chamber Orchestra – Vivaldi 4 Seasons Sandwich
Sunday 30th June 2024, 5:00 pm: St George’s Chamber Orchestra – Festival Finale
Sunday 17th November 2024, 5:00 pm: St George’s Chamber Orchestra – 20th Birthday Concert
Biography
The St. George’s Chamber Orchestra (SGCO) was founded in 2004 as the professional orchestra for the South East in order to give local music lovers the opportunity to hear orchestral concerts of the highest standard on their own doorstep, and indeed for the musicians to enjoy making music together on their own doorstep!
The orchestra is drawn from an extraordinarily talented, experienced and versatile pool of musicians, a large number of whom are past winners of prestigious awards and musical competitions in the UK and elsewhere. Many either are or have been members of the leading London orchestras and a significant number are principals in those orchestras. Many others are members of Britain’s best known chamber ensembles.
St. George’s has a long, strong and respected musical heritage, and boasts one of the finest church choirs in the UK. With its spaciousness, good acoustics and warm friendly atmosphere the church is an ideal venue for a chamber orchestra.
Quotes
‘The SGCO has got to be one of the best things about being a Beckenham local. At the end of each concert I’m already looking forward to the next one.’
‘A most enjoyable evening – an excellent programme with a first class chamber orchestra; what more could you ask for?’
‘Your concert yesterday evening brought immense pleasure many congratulations to everyone. It is a privilege to live where such things happen locally.’
‘The concert was such a treat, what a programme! So lovely to hear those less-often performed pieces. Thank you.’
‘A delightful evening. Many Thanks!’
‘I have really enjoyed the concerts over these last years. So good and so convenient for me. Long may you continue!’
‘Lovely sound. Mozart symphony was FAB, such delicate and precise playing & wonderfully together.’
‘I enjoy these concerts enormously and we are most fortunate to have you in Beckenham.’
‘Wonderful concert tonight! Beautiful uplifting music.’
‘Thank you once again for a great evening’s music. Your programmes are always imaginative and the playing first class.’
‘Music wonderful & surroundings perfect! Thank you.’
‘I just wish we could have a concert every week!’
‘Last night’s concert was one of the best I have ever been to. (And I’ve been to a few!) Simply sublime.’
Dominic Moore - Muscial Director
Dominic Moore was born in England and began learning the violin with Pamela Spofforth at the age of 8. He later won scholarships to Winchester College and the Royal College of Music studying the violin with Itzhak Rashkovsky, and also the piano as a joint first study with Peter Element.
Dominic Moore
In 2004, Dominic founded the St George’s Chamber Orchestra, which is based at St George’s Beckenham, with the conductor Madeleine Venner (née Lovell) and pianist Daniel Becker. As well as directing and leading the orchestra he frequently appears as soloist. Solo performances have included the Beethoven violin concerto, Mozart’s A major concerto and the Sinfonia Concertante with the LSO’s principal viola Edward Vanderspar. Dominic also made an unexpected conducting debut with the orchestra at very short notice in a performance of Copland’s clarinet concerto with the clarinettist Jon Carnac, followed by a full debut in May 2011.
As a soloist, Dominic has recorded a CD entitled Cafe Music with the pianist Daniel Becker for Persephone Books. The disc was brilliantly received, being broadcast several times on BBC Radio 3 and ClassicFM and was described by Classic FM magazine as ‘playing of grace and zest’.
As an orchestral player, Dominic has been invited as a guest to lead the Ulster Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Nacional do Porto, Presteigne Festival Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet and the West End production of Phantom of the Opera. Dominic has also appeared as soloist with the Orquestra Nacional do Porto in performances of Haydn’s and Martinu’s Sinfonia Concertantes.
Dominic is immensely grateful to the Countess of Munster, Abbado and Ian Fleming Trusts and the Musicians Loan Fund for help with acquiring an extremely rare Spanish violin by Marianus Ortega. This violin will be featured in a forthcoming book on Spanish instruments and is believed to be the only surviving example of the maker’s work.
Dominic is also an enthusiastic teacher in the Beckenham area. For enquiries about violin and piano lessons, or advice on finding teachers for any other orchestral instruments please email Dominic at: music@sgco.co.uk You can also follow him on twitter @beckenhammusic
Listen to a live unedited recording of Bach’s Partita no.2 from a concert at St George’s on 10th November 2007
Links
Website: https://www.sgco.co.uk