University of Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra

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The University of Cambridge Philharmonic Orchestra (UCPO) is a student-run orchestra in Cambridge, England.

UCPO is a non-audition orchestra. Membership is aimed primarily at members of the University of Cambridge, although the orchestra usually counts among its members a significant number of other residents of Cambridge ^[1]. Only conductors and soloists are auditioned.

The orchestra usually performs five concerts in each year. Three of these feature the full orchestra ^[2]. A further two are performed by a smaller group officially known as the 'University of Cambridge Philharmonia', informally known as 'Baby' ^[3].

2007/08 repertoire has included Tchaikovsky Symphony 5, Mozart Symphony 39, Gershwin piano concerto, Borodin Symphony 2, Mendelssohn Symphony 4, and Grieg A minor piano concerto. Previous repertoire is just as varied, and has included Beethoven, Sibelius, Dvorak, Shostakovich and Haydn.

The orchestra is known as The Orchestra with a Life.

[edit] History

UCPO was originally founded in the early nineties as the West Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, WCSO.

The orchestra was started as an offshoot of Fitzwilliam College Music Society (FCMS), which provided grants to help fund the early years. Members were taken principally from Fitz, Churchill and New Hall colleges. In 1995, the orchestra broke its ties with Fitz and expanded, rehearsing in Peterhouse and taking musicians from any college. The original role of WCSO is now filled by the The Orchestra on the Hill.

In the early years following the split from Fitz, WCSO was organised in a relatively informal way, regularly making a loss that was recouped each year by combining the Easter concert with a garden party and 'giving away' drinks to those guests who 'bought raffle tickets'. Each treasurer had to cover losses personally. This situation started to resolve from 1998 onwards, with the creation of a specific orchestral bank account and a greater emphasis on publicity.

After this, WCSO started to grow and change in character, with an increasingly formal committee structure, more ambitious programmes, and an increasing sense of professionalism. Rehearsals outgrew most college rehearsal rooms, and the Wesley Methodist Church was chosen as a venue from 1999. However, the orchestra has always remained committed to the principle of having no auditions, and accepting anyone for whom we have a musical part.

An increasingly large membership brought new musical opportunities, but also new limits in which pieces could be attempted. Sectional pieces were introduced in an attempt to give everyone a chance to play, before the decision was made to start a chamber orchestra to increase the possible range. The West Cambridge Sinfonia, or 'Baby' as it quickly became known, has grown rapidly since its introduction.

In 2001, the orchestra moved to a new home at Selwyn, rehearsing in the Selwyn Diamond.

At the start of 2002, and after a lively debate at the AGM, the decision was made to change the name of the orchestra, dissolving WCSO to resurrect it as UCPO. The principal argument was that the structure of the orchestra had always been that of a Philharmonia (in which all musicians are of equal rank except the principal), and that it was no longer tied to West Cambridge physically. The UCPO web site is one product of this name change.

UCPO's ties with Cambridge colleges ended in 2007, apart from the current rehearsal space for the Philharmonia, Clare Colony, and some concert venues. Since October 2007, the main orchestra has rehearsed at St Giles church.