Otley Chamber Orchestra

About

  • The orchestra during the Spring concert 2019
  • Orchestra members wind section
  • Our wonderful artists have been busy drawing us every rehearsal
  • Orchestra members violin section
  • Orchestra members lead by our guest conductor, Allistair
  • Orchestra members lead by our guest conductor, Allistair
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 who meet fortnightly at the Bridge Church Hall in Cattlemarket Street. The emphasis is on enjoying playing the Classical and early Romantic repertoire, and also some early 20th century works.
Once a year we give a public concert in Otley.

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.

He has played the violin in more than 20 orchestras acting as Leader in several of them. He is a professional scientist working for the University of Leeds.

Our next concert will be on 19th May, 2024

Venue and programme to be confirmed.


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


Rehearsals

Rehearsals are from 7pm - 9pm on Sunday evenings at Bridge Church Hall, Cattle Market Street.
The entrance is via the bright blue doors opposite the North Parade Car Park.

  • July 2023

    9th

  • September 2023

    10th and 24th

  • October 2023

    8th and 22nd

  • November 2023

    5th and 19th

  • December 2023

    3rd

  • January 2024

    14th and 28th

  • February 2024

    11th and 25th

  • March 2024

    10th, 16th and 24th

  • April 2024

    14th and 28th

  • May 2024

    5th, 12th & 19th (concert)

  • June 2024

    9th and 23rd

  • July 2024

    7th

Saturday 16th March ~ Full Day Rehearsal from 10am - 4pm in the Bridge Street Hall.
Our next concert will be on 19th May 2024. Rehearsal dates are to be confirmed.

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


An orchestral concert in a room full of seated people, from the perspective of an audience member

‘ Bravo Otley Chamber Orchestra - you did yourselves proud. ’

- Jo Richardson, Wharfedale Observer, June 2023

Photo
Spring Concert, May 2023
at Bridge Church Hall
Spring Concert 2023

Debussy
Petite Suite

Delibes
Waltz and Mazurka from Coppélia

Sibelius
Karelia Suite (3rd Movt)

Dvořák
Symphony No 6

Spring Concert 2019

Humperdinck
Hansel and Gretel Overture

Edward Elgar
Nursery Suite

Sibelius
Finlandia

Haydn
Symphony No 101 The Clock

Spring Concert 2018

Britten
Soirée Musicales

Eric Coates
Springtime in Angus

Brahms
Academic Festival Overture

Beethoven
Symphony No 3 in E flat Eroica

Spring Concert 2017

Beethoven
Egmont Overture

Brahms
Variations on a Theme of Haydn

Mendelssohn
Symphony No 3 Scottish

Join

Opportunities exist for cellists 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

  • 07531 009442
  • cdallas@ntlworld.com

Woodwind and Brass
Mitzi Whitham

  • 07906 129458
  • mitzijane104@hotmail.com