CHERIE BLAIR HOSTS RECEPTION AT 10 DOWNING STREET IN HONOUR OF THE OXFORD PHILOMUSICA

The Prime Minister wife, Mrs Cherie Booth QC, hosted a reception in honour of the Oxford Philomusica Orchestra in the stunning reception rooms of one of the most famous addresses in the world: No. 10 Downing Street.

Marios Papadopoulos, the orchestraπs musical director, arrived in good time to warm up on the grand piano before giving a masterly and emotional performance of Beethovenπs ≥Moonlight Sonata≤ .

Earlier, Mrs Blair had personally received and welcomed guests in the ornate rooms of No. 10, before going on to speak of the orchestra and its hopes and vision for the future.

She told how the Oxford Philomusica began life in August 1998 and how it grew out of Marios Papadopoulosπ clear vision to create a professional symphony orchestra for Oxford, with which he aimed to perform music to the highest artistic standards and provide the local community with a flexible and accessible musical resource. Now, little more than three years later, Mrs Blair said, ≥the Oxford Philomusica is one of the leading orchestras in the UK.≤

She stressed how important it was that the relationship with the University of Oxford and its Faculty of Music continues to broaden and deepen with schemes providing orchestral experience and conducting seminars to selected students.

Mrs Blair spoke of the Philomusicaπs mission to provide an orchestra that enriches lives both in the concert halls and in the community. Education and community work for 2002 include projects at Wood Farm, the Radcliffe Hospital and other community centres in Oxford.

The Prime Ministerπs wife said how Britain's symphony orchestras are delivering much more to the community today than ever before. With thanks to the solid support shown by many in the room, the Oxford Philomusica has been able to turn much of its vision into reality within just a few years. She appealed for continued support to ensure that this vision can develop to enable the orchestra to become established as an ambassador for classical music in this country.

Mrs Blair ended by inviting Marios Papadopoulos to perform, after which she hoped guests would enjoy the reception and graciously invited them to tour the house, including the interview and cabinet rooms, an invitation readily taken up by every guest!

Mr Philip Newman, Chairman of the Oxford Philomusica Trust, thanked Mrs Blair for allowing the orchestra to hold their event in such prestigious surroundings and most especially for giving her valuable time to celebrate its achievements and appeal for their support. He reported that the orchestra now has a regular series of concerts in Oxford, appearing mostly at Sir Christopher Wren's inspired Sheldonian Theatre, and is continuing to extend its wings with overseas tours. He told how Vladimir Ashkenazy, the orchestra's patron, had underlined the level of recognition enjoyed by the Oxford Philomusica when he appeared with the orchestra as soloist and conductor in a memorable concert at Oxford's Apollo Theatre in February last year.

Philip Newman spoke of the Oxford Philomusica International Piano Festival, which they regard as one of their finest achievements. Now in its fourth year, he told how ≥the festival has become a major international event, attracting students, distinguished teachers and performing artists from all over the world.≤ Described by the Oxford Times as "the most significant annual musical event in Oxford", the festival has since established a worldwide reputation for the peerless quality of teaching and masterclasses opportunities it offers to young musicians.

Philip Newman told guests that ≥our vision for the future, set out in the orchestraπs five-year business development plan, is led by a campaign to increase concert activity over the next five years. We aim to extend the orchestraπs roots to reach beyond Oxford and touch other parts of Oxfordshire and its region, presently poorly served in terms of classical music. Our ambitions include performing elsewhere in the UK and also overseas, culminating in an extensive Mozart Festival in 2006 in Oxford and London to mark the 250^th anniversary of the composerπs death. The Philomusicaπs summer series of concerts in Oxford is sowing the seeds for an annual international music festival, which we plan to launch in the year 2004. All this and much more is achievable, but only with the valuable support of those who share our dreams and aspirations.≤

Philip Newman concluded by saying that guests had enjoyed a unique event. He hoped they would judge for themselves by coming to hear the orchestra and that our supporters would continue to demonstrate their much needed commitment to securing the future of the Oxford Philomusica Orchestra ≥äa musical resource for the city and beyond≤ (Oxford Times).

Distinguished guests included Lord and Lady Heseltine, Lord and Lady Kenny, Lord and Lady Goodhart, The Hon. Michael Beloff QC, Sir Alan McLintock, Cllr Maureen Christian and Mr Robert Jackson MP.

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