{"id":15719,"date":"2016-08-14T15:25:46","date_gmt":"2016-08-14T15:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.otleychamberorchestra.com\/?page_id=15719"},"modified":"2026-03-03T11:31:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T11:31:51","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.otleychamberorchestra.com\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

Otley Chamber Orchestra<\/span><\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

About<\/h2>\n<\/div>
  • \"Cellos\"<\/li>
  • \"Woodwind<\/li>
  • \"The<\/li>
  • \"Violins,<\/li>
  • \"First<\/li>
  • \"Violas<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
    <\/div>
    History<\/h5>\n

    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. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Conductor<\/h5>\n

    Ben Frampton<\/strong> comes from a family of professional orchestral musicians.
    \nAs 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.<\/p>\n

    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. Also he was appointed Assistant Conductor to Odaline de la Martinez for the UK premiere of Frida<\/i> at the 2023 Leeds Opera Festival.<\/p>\n

    Since being appointed our Musical Director in 2023, Ben has rehearsed a wide range of music with our players and received excellent reviews for his conducting of our highly successful concerts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    <\/div><\/div>
    <\/div>
    Leader<\/h5>\n

    Chris Hodges<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Our next Concert will be on Sunday 17th May 2026.<\/span><\/h4>\n
    \n

    The Programme will be<\/p>\n

    Schubert Rosamunde Overture
    \nElgar Bavarian Dances
    \nBizet Petite Suite
    \nBeethoven Romance in F - Soloist Jasmine Grundy
    \nINTERVAL
    \nHaydn Symphony 101 'The Clock'\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    The Otley Chamber Orchestra adds a classical dimension to the town's well established live music scene. <\/span><\/p>\n

    - Yorkshire Life<\/strong> September 2019<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    The OCO enters its eleventh season in fine fettle following its well received concert in May 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

    - Otley Matters<\/strong> December 2019<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Bravo Otley Chamber Orchestra - you did yourselves proud.<\/span><\/p>\n

    - Jo Richardson<\/strong>, Wharfedale Observer June 2023<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>

    Well done Otley Chamber Orchestra. It's a privilege to hear the product of so many hours of practice and rehearsal.<\/span><\/p>\n

    - Paul Hurst<\/strong>, Wharfedale Observer May 2024<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

    Rehearsals<\/h2>\n

    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.
    \nThe entrance is via the bright blue doors opposite the North Parade Car Park.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

    • <\/span>
      <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

      September 2025<\/h4>

      14th and 28th<\/p><\/div><\/li>

    • <\/span>
      <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

      October 2025<\/h4>

      12th and 26th<\/p><\/div><\/li>

    • <\/span>
      <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

      November 2025<\/h4>

      9th and 23rd<\/p><\/div><\/li>

    • <\/span>
      <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

      December 2025<\/h4>

      7th<\/p><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

      • <\/span>
        <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

        January 2026<\/h4>

        11th and 25th<\/p><\/div><\/li>

      • <\/span>
        <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

        February 2026<\/h4>

        8th and 22nd<\/p><\/div><\/li>

      • <\/span>
        <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

        March 2026<\/h4>

        8th, 14th (Saturday All Day Rehearsal) and 22nd<\/p><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>

        • <\/span>
          <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

          April 2026<\/h4>

          12th and 26th<\/p><\/div><\/li>

        • <\/span>
          <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

          May 2026<\/h4>

          3rd, 10th and 17th (Concert)<\/p><\/div><\/li>

        • <\/span>
          <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

          June 2026<\/h4>

          7th and 21st<\/p><\/div><\/li>

        • <\/span>
          <\/i><\/div><\/div><\/div>

          July 2026<\/h4>

          5th<\/p><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>

          Saturday 14th March<\/strong> Sectional All Day Rehearsal from 10am - 4pm in the Bridge Street Chapel Hall.
          Sunday 17th May<\/strong> Annual Concert in the Bridge Street Chapel Hall.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>