Newbury orchestra raises more than £800 for British Red Cross Humanitarian Appeal for Ukraine

The Newbury Symphony Orchestra (NSO) raised £839.00 for the British Red Cross Humanitarian Appeal for victims of the war in Ukraine, at its concert on Saturday, March 19.

The orchestra set up a JustGiving page so that people could donate online and also invited audience members to contribute at the concert.

Orchestra chairman David Cooper said: "The war in Ukraine has highlighted how fortunate we are to be able to play and listen to music in a peace and safety. Recognising this the NSO wanted to use the occasion of their Spring concert to make a contribution to the Red Cross appeal. We have been touched by the generosity shown by local people and are very grateful to everyone who contributed."

The concert, held at the town's St Nicolas’ Church, included works by Beethoven, Mozart and Shostakovich and attracted an audience that filled the church. As the orchestra’s regular conductor Jonathan Williams was ill, John Traill, director of music at St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, stood in at the last moment.

Newbury Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest non-professional orchestras in England and is now in its 142nd season. The orchestra comprises 60 amateur musicians of all ages and draws its members from four counties. The resident professional conductor is Dr Jonathan Williams and the leader is Wendy Clark.

'A well-chosen programme, a gifted soloist and a stylish conductor, who quite literally saved the day, all helped make our evening very special indeed and quite honestly, I’ve never heard NSO play as well. Well done to all!" To read our review of the concert, visit https://bit.ly/3ICX3i1