English Schools’ Orchestra
2022 Annual Report
The ESO ran its Autumn course as usual in 2022 when we welcomed our largest orchestra to date consisting of over a hundred musicians. It was also our largest ever team of Tutors and Mentors. The students and staff attended Dame Alice Owen’s School for a five day residential/non residential course leading to a concert at the Cadogan Hall, London, on Sunday 30th October. We were delighted to welcome Gabriele Strata, the exciting young award-winning pianist from Italy, to join us.
As part of our Community outreach we welcomed a larger number of students receiving bursary support of various kinds. For many years we have been able to refer more disadvantaged students to the Potential Trust for financial support and this has now expanded to include other bodies willing to support students who are eligible to take part.
The programme was by far the most ambitious ever attempted by the orchestra. It began with Elgar’s vibrant overture Alassio (In the South), coincidentally inspired by a trip to Italy made by the composer. This was followed by Gabriele Strata performing Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini. It proved to be an exhilarating account of one of the most popular works in the classical repertoire. Gabriele also provided a delicate and moving encore with Satie’s Gymnopedie, to the delight of the very large, enthusiastic audience. After the interval the orchestra gave a highly dramatic performance of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.
Recruitment for the October 2023 course is underway and we expect to continue attracting talented students from all areas of the country. The ESO Mentor Scheme went very well with its clear structure for recruitment of mentors to help students develop during the course and consider their career opportunities as a professional musician. It was once again aimed at prior ESO musicians now in their final year of University/Music College or in postgraduate education. It was wonderful to welcome back former members in this role and to hear of their progress since leaving the ESO, as well as their plans for a future in the music profession. We also welcomed talented students new to the orchestra in their final year of postgraduate education who were looking to become professional musicians. As with the orchestra members the mentors increasingly come from a wider geographical area across the UK. The ever fuller national reach of the orchestra is part of our ongoing objective to encompass as many areas as possible in our recruitment.
As more opportunities arise in 2023 and 2024 we hope to continue to improve and develop the orchestra’s activities.
English Schools' Orchestra 1st January to 31st December 2022
| Receipts | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Receipts | 1,843 | |
| Other events | 560 | |
| 2022 Course and Concert | 38,890 | |
| Sponsorship | 30,550 | |
| Donations | 301 | |
| Bank interest | 218 | |
| Total Income | 72,362 | |
| Payments | ||
| 2021 Expenses | 106 | |
| Other events | 1,701 | |
| 2022 Course and Concert | 62,140 | |
| Sponsorship/trustee | exps | 662 |
| Insurance | 525 | |
| Office & Admin costs | 1,422 | |
| Misc | 0 | |
| Total Expenditure | 66,557 | |
| Income over Expenditure | 5,805 | |
| Balance bfwd from 1st January 2022 | 85,785 | |
| Plus Income - Expenditure 2022 | 5,805 | |
| Balance cfwd 1st January 2023 | 91,590 | |
| Balance in all accounts | 91,590 | |
| 0 |
English Schools. Orchestra and Choir Income and Expenditure - January 1st to December 31st 2022 Audltor's Certificate I have examined the above Income and Expenditure Account wlth the books, records and vouchers of the English Schools, Orchestra and Cholr and certify the same to be in accordance therewith. To the best of my knowledge and belief the sums properly due have been received and the payments have been properly made. Date Slgned Name Address