Express & Star

Birmingham graduates take crown as best amateur orchestra

An orchestral group founded by graduates of Birmingham Conservatoire has been announced as the winner of a nationwide search for the orchestra that best captures the spirit of great British amateur music-making in the UK.

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The North Devon Sinfonia was named the winner of the BBC contest, 'All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challenge', in the finale of the four-part series which aired on BBC Two in September.

Husband and wife Dan and Emma Kent, founded North Devon Sinfonia in 2004 and both studied at Birmingham Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University.

As part of their prize, North Devon Sinfonia were awarded the opportunity of a lifetime – to perform at BBC Proms in the Park, Hyde Park, as part of the world-famous Last Night of the Proms.

Emma Kent, conductor, said: "We're chuffed to bits to be pronounced winners of the competition. It was such a great adventure from start to finish and the orchestra has been transformed by the experience.

"Amateur music-making is so important and brings communities and individuals together.

"I certainly drew on skills I gained whilst at Birmingham Conservatoire, where my sense of entrepreneurship was encouraged.

"I think those formative experiences of creating, rehearsing, analysing and marketing our self-styled chamber music groups helped me to learn the key skills needed to succeed."

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