About Us

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  • Double bass section playing

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WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE OF

CARDIFF PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

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Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra is recognised as one of Wales's foremost non-professional orchestras, with a reputation for a wide ranging repertoire from film music and light classics to the major works for full symphony orchestra.

The orchestra is privileged to perform a regular season of concerts in St. David's Hall, recently voted one of the top 10 concert halls of the world.  We also perform in a range of other venues throughout South Wales.


Please use the menu to find out more about the orchestra, its music, history, upcoming concerts, how to join the orchestra and how to make contact with us.

We have a series of concerts planned for the 2023/24 season commencing October 2023 that you can see on the 'Future Concerts' page.

We would love to see you at all our forthcoming concerts.


Also, take look at our Facebook page and Twitter feed through the buttons at the top and bottom of every page.


WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE OF

CARDIFF PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra is recognised as one of Wales's foremost non-professional orchestras, with a reputation for a wide ranging repertoire from film music and light classics to the major works for full symphony orchestra.

The orchestra is privileged to perform a regular season of concerts in St. David's Hall, recently voted one of the top 10 concert halls of the world.   We also perform in a range of other venues throughout South Wales.


Please use the menu to find out more about the orchestra, it's music, history, upcoming concerts, how to join the orchestra and how to make contact with us.


Restrictions due to the COVID-19 virus have, sadly, led to the postponement of all rehearsals and concerts in 2020. However, we have plans for a series of concerts in 2021 which you can see on the 'Future Concerts' page. Given how changeable circumstances are currently, please come back regularly to check the latest news on concert dates and venues.


Also, take look at our Facebook page and Twitter feed through the buttons at the bottom of every page.


Michael Bell conducting

Conductor Michael Bell MBE

Michael Bell was born in Neath and studied music at Cardiff University.

 After graduating, Michael formed Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra in 1982 and has conducted the orchestra for 38 years. Michael has conducted an enormous and wide ranging repertoire with CPO, in over 350 concerts, including symphonies by Mahler, Richard Strauss, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Vaughan Williams, Elgar and Shostakovich, as well as major orchestral works by Stravinsky, Ravel and Prokofiev, and many more besides.


 Michael has always had a great enthusiasm for film music, and in 1994 introduced ‘A Night at the Movies’ as an annual feature of CPO’s repertoire. In December 2017 ‘A Night at the Movies’, celebrating the music of John Williams, was performed to the highest audience figures at St David’s Hall for thirteen years.

 In 2010 Michael was invited to conduct the Brecknock Sinfonia at Brecon Cathedral, and has since become the orchestra’s regular conductor. He was invited to conduct the Abergavenny Symphony Orchestra in its summer concert in 2017 and has since returned a number of times to conduct the ASO.

In November 2019 he made his debut with the Hereford Symphony Orchestra and will be returning to conduct the HSO in its next season. 


 In the New Year’s Honours 2018 Michael was awarded an MBE, an award made particularly special to Michael because he was nominated for the MBE by members of CPO.

 Some things about Michael you may not know…he’s always nervous before concerts but enjoys talking to the audience; he doesn’t drive but is a keen cyclist and walker; he is an insatiable collector of CDs but can’t figure out streaming or downloading music; he’s a terrible cook; his favourite tipple is red wine, and favourite meal is food cooked by anyone else! 

Read Michael's interview  on the 35th Anniversary of the orchestra.


Leader  Jill Francis-Williams 


A founder member of Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra in 1982, Jill took over as just the third Leader of the orchestra in June 2009. Originally from Pencoed near Bridgend Jill, also a talented pianist, is a product of the highly successful Mid Glamorgan Youth Music Service under Jeffrey Francis, graduating with Honours from University College Cardiff in 1981 before becoming a teacher herself, nurturing the talents of countless young musicians in Mid Glamorgan, Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil.


A violin playing career, which started with the Mid Glamorgan Youth Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra of Wales and the Orchestra of University College Cardiff, has included membership of Brecknock Sinfonia, Welsh Philharmonic Orchestra, City of Cardiff Symphony Orchestra, St Woolos Sinfonia, Tempo Primo String Quartet and Orchestra De Cymru, previously leading Highfields Chamber Orchestra and Rhondda Symphony Orchestra and currently the Cardiff Palm Court Orchestra in addition to Cardiff Philharmonic.


Musical commitments aside, Jill still finds time to dedicate to her highly supportive family and walking collie, Brân, from her home in Carmarthenshire.


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