Oxford’s Professional Symphony Orchestra in Residence at the University of Oxford

In little more than a decade Oxford’s professional symphony orchestra has become one of the leading orchestras in the UK. Praised as ‘excellent’ by Gramophone Magazine and ‘thoroughly impressive’ by BBC Music Magazine, Oxford Philomusica’s reputation is based on the uncompromising artistic standards of its Founder and Music Director, Marios Papadopoulos, and maintained by some of the very best orchestral musicians in London, Oxford and the Thames Valley. In October 2002 the Philomusica was appointed the first-ever Orchestra In Residence at the University of Oxford, and its year-round programme of concerts at the Sheldonian Theatre has attracted consistent critical praise and loyal public support. 

From the start Oxford Philomusica has enjoyed endorsement of its mission from a remarkable roster of distinguished artists. In this season alone the Orchestra is collaborating with musicians such as András Schiff, Hélène Grimaud, John Lill, Stephen Kovacevich, Julian Lloyd Webber, Natalie Clein, Craig Ogden, Benjamin Grosvenor, Mahan Esfahani, Menahem Pressler and Lang Lang.

Amongst the Orchestra’s achievements are its outstanding recording of Haydn’s Creation with New College Choir, which was the CD of the Month in BBC Music Magazine; major celebrations of Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn; and its annual International Piano Festival and Summer Academy. To these successes should be added the establishment of the hugely popular FUNomusica Family Concerts, as well as the Orchestra’s annual Summer Baroque Season and Chamber Music Series, both showcasing what The Times recognised as the Orchestra’s ‘glorious individual players’.

Since its inception the Orchestra has been firmly committed to education and community work, bringing music to the widest possible range of audiences – often outside the traditional concert venue – to schools, hospitals, community centres and retirement homes. As part of its University Residency, the Orchestra collaborates with the Faculty of Music in educational programmes for the student community. And the Orchestra’s partnerships with Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council provide performance opportunities and tuition to hundreds of talented young musicians.

Oxford Philomusica enthusiastically embraces its role of filling what Arts Council England defined as ‘an identifiable regional need’ for a professional symphony orchestra based in the area between Birmingham and Bournemouth. The Philomusica has been appointed Orchestra in Association at the new Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, and its Thames Valley presence is being further consolidated by new ventures in Reading, Bristol, Cheltenham, Northampton and Bath. Beyond its home region, the Orchestra is rapidly developing a national and international profile with regular appearances in London and an international touring programme with appearances in France, Switzerland, Greece, Denmark, Belgium and Sweden.