Darwin Ensemble

The Darwin Ensemble Chamber Orchestra (DECO) was founded in September 2008, with its inaugural concert on 31 January 2009 in Lichfield Cathedral - its home base. DECO's remit is to serve the Cathedral and the local community which, it in its turn, is served by the Cathedral. it is an entirely local venture and is unique: there is at present no comparable orchestra with resident affiliation to a cathedral or church foundation in the region. DECO stages three regular concerts a year - winter, summer and autumn - and during the year contributes to the music of three Cathedral services. The first season's concerts have been very well attended and enthusiastically received. You can read a selection of tributes on our Reviews page. Congregational feedback from DECO's participation in services has been highly appreciative. This template of regular appearances will continue to be adopted for future seasons alongside events and outreach beyond the Cathedral.

The orchestra is formed from the highest calibre classical musicians in the West Midlands, with a strong emphasis on the employment of young, exciting players in the early stages of their professional careers. DECO's Artistic Director is Alexander Laing, and the Conductor is Philip Scriven (until recently Lichfield Cathedral Organist and Master of the Choristers).

DECO's repertoire will be mainly popular and accessible classical music. It aims to draw the local community into the world of classical music in the inspiring setting of one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the country. The orchestra has a fresh approach to concert-going, with a commitment to bringing to a wider audience the pleasure and excitement of hearing classical music played to the highest standard. DECO's remit also includes sharing the experience of the live orchestral sound with young people, who will form both the audiences, and potentially the providers, of classical music into the future. Children are invited to attend each concert's afternoon rehearsal free of charge. (Please contact first to arrange this.) This is an opportunity to see how an orchestral concert is put together. Rehearsals reveal details of the interpretation of instrumental music - historical style, tempi, dynamics, and musical colouring - and show the techniques used to achieve the desired effects. Children's tickets for the evening concerts (where they can hear the ‘finished product' that they witnessed being shaped) are only £5.00.

DECO had a highly successful opening year, culminating with two ‘extra' Christmas concerts in collaboration with the Lay Vicars Choral and boys of the Cathedral Choir. The second was Lichfield Cathedral's much-loved Christmas Cracker concert on 19th Decmber. The first (on 10th December) was recorded by Classic FM, and then broadcast on 21st December, as one of their "Full Works" series. From a standing start in late 2008 to being broadcast on national radio in late 2009 was a remarkable achievement. DECO has also attracted the attention of the country's finest performers. Our first soloist was Simon Blendis (leader Schubert Ensemble and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra).

Funding is sought from Charitable Trusts and from corporate and personal sponsorship to help DECO continue its programme of outreach and educational projects. Please get in touch if you feel you can help the DECO venture financially, whether by a donation or by becoming a "Friend". You can download a form to fill in here if you would like to donate to the orchestra. If you are interested in more formal sponsorship, please get in touch with Alexander Laing for more information and to discuss what projects you would like to benefit.

Please feel free to contact DECO with any further enquiries.

DECO gratefully acknowledges valuable support from the Kathleen Hannay Memorial Trust and the Arimathea Charitable Trust.