ABOUT
The Academy of St Mary-le-Bow is a flexible chamber orchestra based in central London. The ensemble is made up of outstanding non-professional musicians from all walks of life, all of whom are young professionals working in London.
The Academy of St Mary-le-Bow performs around six major concerts a year across the city and holds a residency at the historic church of St Mary-le-Bow in the City of London. The orchestra is flexible in number, enjoying a huge variety of repertoire from well-known symphonic masterworks to more intimate concerts of Baroque and classical repertoire or chamber music. Though the ensemble is regularly directed by its music director, Alex Fryer, it also frequently engages guest conductors, guest leaders for un-conducted performances.
The Academy of St Mary-le-Bow was formed in spring 2016, the aim was to allow young professionals to pursue high-quality music-making having left universities and music colleges throughout the country. The orchestra performed its debut concert in the church of St Mary-le-Bow in August 2016, with a programme of Mahler, Haydn, and Britten with BBC Young Musician of the Year finalist Ben Goldsheider as soloist. Since this orchestra has gone from strength to strength having performed 17 concerts across five London boroughs working with over 30 distinguished guest conductors, leaders, and soloists. The orchestra is run by a dedicated committee of players.