MCO started rehearsals in January 2006
The newly formed MCO's first performance was in St May's Church on the 17th June 2006. Since then, apart from during COVID, the orchestra has typically performed three concerts per year.
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Anniversary Eve - the 16th June 2026
The 16th June 2026 was the nearest MCO rehearsal date to the 20th anniversary so to mark the occasion the orchestra shared a celebration cake made by Karen Sancto (co-chair, orchestra leader and a founder member too). Cake cutting by the orchestra's co-chairs Karen Smith & Karen Sancto (l&r)
20th Anniversary Gala Concert 20th June 2026
The concert began with Johann Strauss the Younger's 'Kaiserwalzer' which featured in the orchestra's inaugural concert in 2006. The second piece before the interval was a premiere of the 'Concert for Orchestra' composed by the MCO's conductor, Philip Singleton.
Following a relaxed interval during which 'gala fizz' was served to the audience the orchestra reassembled to perform Beethoven's 5th Symphony.
Eagle-eyed observers may spot that the cake on the poster only has 19 visible candles, the AI image generator just wouldn't oblige.
Five founders members played in the gala concert:
- Karen Sancto (current leader)
- Karen Smith (cello)
- Robert Napier (cello)
- Sue Birley (viola)
- Roger Kenyon (french horn)
