Welcome
Kent Sinfonia was founded in 1962 by Hungarian conductor Dr Béla de Csilléry, who served as Kent’s inspirational County Music Advisor for more than two decades. The orchestra comprises leading professional musicians in Kent and the surrounding region; many also play with major London orchestras and opera houses. A strong advocate of contemporary music and of performing works by 20th century British composers, its rst album, Lost England, featured George Butterworth and Walter Leigh.
Our work aims to build the future of classical orchestral music through programmes for all ages. Our education projects support children’s musical development, especially those lacking exposure to live orchestral music. We aect positively children’s development and overall learning with interactive workshops and concerts, introducing a diverse range of music. Our children’s programme Birds and Beasts! has been performed in multiple venues.
Kent Sinfonia also performs regularly with choral societies in the south of England, has toured three times to China and most recently, in France to Les Musicales de Redon Festival in Brittany. The orchestra has also accompanied opera productions and live lm screenings. Kent Sinfonia has a strong commitment to education projects enriching both primary and secondary school children’s development with interactive workshops and concert programmes.
We provide:
- Live classical concerts
- Live opera performances and accompaniment to lm programmes
- Arts projects, educational workshops and presentations for schools and the community
- Music for corporate and other events
- Opportunities for arts funding and sponsorship
- Availability to accompany choral societies, opera companies and other performing groups and artists.
‘…the Kent Sinfonia responded generously to Nicholas Jenkins’ characteristically expansive direction, not least in the many deftly edged orchestral solos…’ (Mark Pappenheim, ‘Opera’ magazine Vaughan Williams: ‘Theoisoned Kiss’ with New Sussex Opera).
‘The playing of Kent Sinfonia was a sheer delight as they lled the church with a full-on, well-blended sound, with many opportunities for the individual instrumentalists to shine in Haydn’s masterpiece. Whether playing in their own right or underpinning the soloists and choir, they were consistently superb…’(Haydn: The Creation, with Ashtead Choral Society, conductor Andrew Storey).
Royal Throne 0f Kings
Our new recording with The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society and Albion Records; more information and reviews on News/Recordings pages), Click Here.
Richard II Fantasy
Click Here to visit our YouTube Channel
Email: info@kentsinfonia.org or kwsoloists@hotmail.com
‘This is the most intriguing disc I have reviewed so far this year, Virtually all the works are heard here for the rst time…The Kent Sinfonia and the Albion Chorus directed by James Ross give outstanding performances…’ ‘This is an essential investment for all RVW enthusiasts’. (John France, MusicWeb International)
‘…the poised, elegant, silvery strings…’ ‘…James Ross’s players bring an atmosphere of the theatre to the proceedings, but sacrice nothing in the expansive and spine-tingling moments in Richard II, or in Henry V’s appointment with destiny in ‘the vasty elds of France…’ ‘…’the CD is complete joy from start to nish: my album of the year.’ (Stuart Millson, The Brazen Head (brazen-head.org/2024/09/12/sounds-of-sovereigns/)
‘….The performances throughout are consistently very good indeed, and it is good to hear the rst-class Kent Sinfonia on disc in this repertoire…’ (5-star review from Robert Matthew-Walker, Musical Opinion)
‘…Under Ross’s assured guiding hand, Kent Sinfonia and the recitalists deliver unerring performances of the composer’s material. Royal Throne of Kings is, needless to say, an abundantly rich gathering of musical treasures that for Vaughan Williams devotees and scholars will be regarded as indispensable and for others oers a deeply rewarding listen’ (textura.org, Canada)