The Review - MUSIC - CLASSSICAL AND JAZZ with TONY KEIELY Published: 20 September 2007
They’re Pro-active!
PREVIEW: NEW PROFESSIONALS ORCHESTRA Hampstead Parish Church
THE BBC Proms may be over for another year, but fear not: over in Hampstead, instruments are being tuned, resined, polished and primed in preparation for one of the highlights of London’s rich classical season.
The New Professionals Orchestra open their concert season at Hampstead Parish Church on September 28 with a colourful programme that includes Mendelssohn’s Scottish Symphony and Elgar’s Cello Symphony.
Comprising distinguished young professional musicians, many of whom are at the start of their careers, the New Professional Orchestra have quickly risen to prominence and received critical acclaim for their innovative programming – under the baton of musical director Rebecca Miller – and dynamic musicianship.
In its eight years, the orchestra has appeared frequently at the Southbank Centre, including two appearances at the FRESH series.
Among the orchestra’s number is Hampstead resident and rising star of classical world, cellist Gemma Rosefield.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Gemma’s career has already taken in solo and ensemble performances at many of the capital’s esteemed classical venues, inlcuding the South Bank, the Barbican and Wigmore Hall.
The New Professionals are led by Californian Rebecca Miller, who established the orchestra in 1999 with her husband, Danny Driver.
Ms Miller, who was recently appointed resident conductor of the Louisiana Philharmonic, spoke of her excitement at the development of the Young Professionals’ role in Hampstead’s already vibrant cultural landscape.
She said: “Hampstead has always been blessed with a wealth of local theatres, which has marked it out as something of a cultural beacon. It therefore seemed strange that such a cultural borough never benefited from a dedicated concert hall that could accommodate full professional orchestral concerts. “This is something we’ve set out to remedy with the Hampstead series, though logistically it can be something of a struggle.”
Ms Miller is here referring to the fact that the New Professionals, like many artists – especially those outside the mainstream – are faced with the continuing strain of raising the funds to meet the costs of bringing culture to the masses.
She added: “Only 30 per cent of the orchestra’s costs are met by ticket sales, so we seek the remainder of our funding from charitable foundations, businesses and the newly-formed Friends of the New Professionals scheme.”
* The New Professionals Hampstead Series starts on Friday, September 28 at 7.30pm in Hampstead Parish Church, Church Row, Hampstead. Tickets cost £12-15; £8 (students and under-18s); under-15s attend free of charge when accompanied by a parent or guardian (one per paying adult). For bookings and information on becoming a Friend of the New Professionals phone 020 8202 9289 or visit www.newprofessionals.co.uk.
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