Otley Chamber Orchestra
About
History
The Otley Chamber Orchestra was founded in 2009 by a small group of keen local musicians who wanted to provide an opportunity for themselves and others to enjoy orchestral music making. We have now grown to a group of 40 to 50 committed players drawn from all over the area who meet twice a month on Sunday evenings from 7.00 to 9.00 in the Bridge Street Chapel Hall off Cattle Market Street in Otley. It is a rehearsal orchestra but in May each year gives a public concert in the town. The emphasis is on playing classical and early Romantic repertoire, and also some early 20th century works. The orchestra is supported by Otley Courthouse, the town's vibrant and diverse arts centre.
Conductor
Ben Frampton comes from a family of professional orchestral musicians.
As a schoolboy he played double bass in the National Youth Orchestra of Wales under Andrew Litton and participated in one of his masterclasses conducting Fanfare for the Common Man.
At Leeds University, Ben read Maths and Music, and conducted their Wind, Musical Theatre and Pop Orchestras as well as the University Symphony Orchestra. His classical conducting experience includes works by Haydn, Mahler, Prokofiev, Rachmaninov, Bizet, Stanford and Vaughan Williams. Earlier this year he was appointed Assistant Conductor to Odaline de la Martinez for the UK premiere of Frida at the 2023 Leeds Opera Festival.
Leader
Chris Hodges joined Otley Chamber Orchestra as Leader in 2011. Whilst helping give a key lead to our strings he also supports our conductor and is involved in choosing repertoire. A professional scientist by background working at Leeds University, he has played in over 20 orchestras and led several of them.
Our next Concert will be on Sunday 17th May 2026.
The Programme will be announced in the New Year
The Otley Chamber Orchestra adds a classical dimension to the town's well established live music scene.
- Yorkshire Life September 2019
The OCO enters its eleventh season in fine fettle following its well received concert in May 2019.
- Otley Matters December 2019
Bravo Otley Chamber Orchestra - you did yourselves proud.
- Jo Richardson, Wharfedale Observer June 2023
Well done Otley Chamber Orchestra. It's a privilege to hear the product of so many hours of practice and rehearsal.
- Paul Hurst, Wharfedale Observer May 2024
Rehearsals
We meet in the Bridge Street Chapel Hall on two Sunday evenings a month from 7pm to 9pm with a short break for tea and biscuits.
The entrance is via the bright blue doors opposite the North Parade Car Park.
September 2025
14th and 28th
October 2025
12th and 26th
November 2025
9th and 23rd
December 2025
7th
January 2026
11th and 25th
February 2026
8th and 22nd
March 2025
8th, 14th (Saturday All Day Rehearsal) and 22nd
April 2026
12th and 26th
May 2026
3rd, 10th and 17th (Concert)
June 2026
7th and 21st
July 2025
5th
Saturday 14th March Sectional All Day Rehearsal from 10am - 4pm in the Bridge Street Chapel Hall.
Sunday 17th May Annual Concert in the Bridge Street Chapel Hall.
Free parking is available in the North Parade car park opposite the venue.
Access to the car park is from Cattle Market Street or North Parade.
Repertoire
Rossini
Thieving Magpie Overture
Coleridge-Taylor
Petite Suite de Concert
Britten
Soirees Musicales
Dvorak
Symphony 8
Sullivan
Iolanthe Overture
Faure
Masques and Bergamasques
Butterworth
Banks of Green Willow
Coates
Miniature Suite
Farrenc
Symphony 3
Debussy
Petite Suite
Delibes
Waltz and Mazurka from Coppélia
Sibelius
Karelia Suite (3rd Movt)
Dvořák
Symphony No 6
Humperdinck
Hansel and Gretel Overture
Edward Elgar
Nursery Suite
Sibelius
Finlandia
Haydn
Symphony No 101 The Clock
Join
Opportunities exist for strings, brass and a principal trumpet.
Woodwind players who wish to be considered as deputies can join our Waiting List.
We do try to give these players a chance to play when our regular players are away.
If you are interested in joining, please contact the following using the details below.
Strings
Karen Dallas
Woodwind and Brass
Mitzi Whitham