About the Kelvin Ensemble
The Kelvin Ensemble was founded in 1991 by a group of enterprising students at Glasgow University, to allow musicians from all faculties to perform challenging music to the highest level, and produce public performances led by professional conductors.
Since its formation the Ensemble has gone from strength to strength and is now recognised as one of the leading non-professional chamber orchestras in Scotland. Its reputation has earned its musicians invitations to perform throughout the country, including representing Glasgow University in prestigious music festivals. The Ensemble's own concerts in the University's magnificent Bute Hall and Chapel regularly attract sell-out audiences as well as representation from the national press.
The Kelvin Ensemble is ideally placed to foster local and young talent whether it is amongst its own members or in its choice of conductors and soloists. An impressive line up of conductors has directed previous concerts including John Lubbock, Christopher Bell, William Conway, Nigel Boddice and Garry Walker.
The Ensemble has also been the recipient of numerous awards in recognition of its pioneering work. These have included:
- British Telecom/National Federation of Music Societies Innovation Award
- Enterprise in Higher Education Award
- National Heritage "Pairing Scheme" Award
- British Reserve Insurance Award
- Proctor & Gamble Clubs and Societies Award
The Ensemble has competed for several years in the National Association of Youth Orchestras Festival, and we often receive requests to play at concerts with other community music groups. The Ensemble
has also produced two recordings: "New Romantic Piano Music" by Callum Kenmuir, and Erik Chisholm's Piano Concerto No.1 - and we frequently include world premiers of works by composers in our
programme.
The Ensemble celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2001, which was marked by a hugely successful joint concert with Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra. We now enjoy good links with the University Music Department as well as receiving generous support from other departments, and we are now looking at ways to improve these opportunities. In 2001 we were delighted that Sir and Lady Fraser agreed to become our Patrons.
This Season we have enjoyed and are looking forward to collaborations with Glasgow University Choral Society, Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra and Thomas Coats Memorial Choral Society. Due to the massive number of applications to join the Ensemble this year, we are also looking at organising regular professional coaching sessions held within "Open Rehearsals".
All these features demonstrate that the Kelvin Ensemble is at the forefront of the amateur music community in Scotland. We hope to be able to welcome you to one of our concerts in the near future.