The Rehearsal Orchestra History

One rainy day ...

The Rehearsal Orchestra was founded — as the Edinburgh Rehearsal Orchestra (ERO) — at the Edinburgh International Festival in 1957. Harry Legge, a member of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra working with such legendary conductors as Beecham, Rodzinski, Gui, Giulini and Klemperer, had regularly enjoyed the RPO's visits to the Festival and noticed the number of players about during the day waiting for evening concerts. To "keep them out of the rain" he came up with the brilliant idea of forming a rehearsal orchestra to enable them to study the major works they would then hear performed professionally in the evenings!

Harry's partner in this project was Gillian Halse whose flair for organization and the charm with which she encouraged players to join made this a winning team. From the start ERO attracted the attention of the press and the Festival authorities, as well as players. Sir Thomas Beecham agreed to be the orchestra's first patron (followed later by Rudolf Kempe, Sir Charles Groves and Sir Andrew Davis). The original courses lasted the full three weeks of the Festival.

Following the success in Edinburgh, the players demanded a "reunion" in London, and from this developed the series of weekend courses held every year in London and Manchester.

Guest Conductors

Harry Legge conducted the majority of courses from 1957 to 1999. However he had a talent for spotting opportunities for guest appearances. In the 1970's, through Harry's connection with the RPO, the distinguished maestro Rudolf Kempe became interested in the orchestra and conducted RO in Edinburgh and London. Other guest conductors have included Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Charles Groves, Sir Andrew Davis and Sir Simon Rattle. The 2007 50th anniversary year sees Mark Elder join that distinguished company.

The Full Story

Buy a delightful book and help The Rehearsal Orchestra!

See details about Gillian Halse Noel's book Keeping Out of the Rain giving the history of The Rehearsal Orchestra on our RO Publications page.

Soloists

Opportunities are provided for soloists wanting to prepare a concerto with orchestra before a professional engagement. Soloists have included Kennedy, Moray Welsh, James Galway, Peter Donohoe, Julian Lloyd Webber (wanting a run-through of the Miaskovsky cello concerto), and Kyung-Wha Chung (trying out the second Bartók concerto). Innumerable singers have also been involved over the years in operas from Verdi's Falstaff to Puccini's Madama Butterfly and in recent autumns, Wagner's Ring cycle.

Players

Almost every professional orchestra in the UK includes players who have passed through the ranks of the Rehearsal Orchestra. The RO has established itself as a unique resource for talented players of all ages wishing to tackle difficult repertoire without putting their reputations on the line in public performance. The RO never gives concerts — it stretches players to the limit in rehearsal.

A musical charity

The Rehearsal Orchestra is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, supported by all the major conservatoires in the UK and by the Musicians' Union. Players are charged affordable fees for each course and RO relies upon generous support from corporate and private benefactors to cover the full costs.

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