Our Mission

Orion Orchestra was founded to provide young musicians the opportunities and mentorship needed to bridge the gap between music college and their professional careers, while inspiring the next generation through our accessible concerts.

Musical vitality

Orion doesn’t work with young musicians just to help launch their careers; we strongly believe in the vitality of the music that a young orchestra can produce. Our musicians are often playing repertoire for the first time ever - this excites us and our audiences.

Inspiring the next generation

Through our Noisy Notes series, we take a full symphony orchestra where it wouldn’t normally go, and give children with the least opportunity the chance to try out musical instruments for the first time. 

Widening access

We set aside 20% of all of our concert tickets to give away free to schools and other charitable causes, meaning that people who wouldn’t otherwise be able to come to classical concerts get the chance.
 

How we work

With Orion's players selected from the most talented music college students and recent graduates, we give young players experiences working at central London concert venues, giving them the chance to work under the highest professional standards.

Our concert programme aims to cover a broad and diverse repertoire, encompassing all of the skills necessary in a career: from symphonic and operatic, to contemporary and cross-over.

With valuable mentorship from leading international musicians and Orion alumni, we aim to give our players a holistic training in what it takes to start their professional careers.

Since Orion's formation in 2005 by artistic director Toby Purser, notable soloists have included: Joanna MacGregor, Julian Lloyd Webber, Tasmin Little, Imogen Cooper, Susan Gritton, Anne Murray and Dennis O'Neill. Exceptional young soloists have included violinists Nicola Benedetti, Valeriy Sokolov, Jack Liebeck and Charlie Siem, pianists Teo Georghiu, Tom Poster and Panos Karan, percussionist Martin Grubinger, cellists Guy Johnston and Joe Pritchard, tenor Jesus Leon and soprano Laura Mitchell.