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1940
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WSO formed by Dr. Stanley Vann as the Warwickshire Orchestral Society. The first concert, a performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion,is given on 20 March 1940. Activities are suspended in the later years of the War.
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Dr Stanley Vann, front centre, with the Leamington Spa Bach Choir
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8 July 1947
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Inaugural General Meeting held. Stanley Vann is confirmed as conductor.
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3 May 1949
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Harold Dexter is appointed music director following Dr. Stanley Vann’s departure
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Leamington Town Hall
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31 May 1953
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Coronation Concert performed at Leamington own Hall
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18 Nov 1956
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Peter Hurford is appointed conductor in succession to Harold Dexter
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20 Dec 1956
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The Christmas Concert proves to be a marathon, consisting of 19 works.
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11 May 1958
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The WSO perfforms Rodrigo’s Guitar Concerto with a young Julian Bream as soloist.
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12 May 1958
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John Strickson is appointed conductor as successor to Peter Hurford.
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John Strickson
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9 Dec 1962
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Paul Beard, former leader of the London PHilharmnonic Orchestra, becomes guest leader, and later full-time leader of the WSO.
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June 1964
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Kenneth Page is appointed leader in succession to Paul Beard
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19 Mar 1967
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Alan Civil is soloist in performances of Mozart’s Fourth Horn Concerto and Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings..
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10 Mar 1968
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Alfredo Campoli plays to a capacity audience at Leamington Town Hall as soloist in a performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto
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Timothy Reynish
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Jan 1969
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Timothy Reynish is appointed conductor, having been chosen from the 35 applicants who applied for the post.
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15 Mar 1970
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The WSO gives the world premiere of The Green Dragon by Derek Bourgeois, a work commissioned by the orchestra.
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30 May 1970
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First concert in the newly-opened Guy Nelson Hall, Denis Matthews being the soloist in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3
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29 May 1971
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Guy Woolfenden’s first concert with the WSO, as guest conductor.
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15 June 1972
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WSO gives the inaugural concert at the opening of the Royal Spa Centre, Leamington. Denis Matthews is soloist in Timothy Reynish’s final concert.
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Guy Woolfenden
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July 1972
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Guy Woolfenden is appointed conductor in succession to Timothy Reynish.
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1 Nov 1973
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WSO’s first foreign visit, to Sceaux, a suburb of Paris
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Nov 1974
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WSO’s first visit to Leamington’s twin-town, Brühl, near Cologne as guests of the Brühler Chorvereinigung.
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The WSO performs an outdoor concert at Brühl
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7 Oct 1979
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Peter Donohoe makes his debut with the WSO in a performance of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No 1
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13 Oct 1985
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Tasmin Little is soloist in a performance of Korngold’s Violin Concerton.
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Jeremy Ballard
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1993
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Jeremy Ballard is appointed as leader following a number of solo guest appearances
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11 May 1996
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WSO gives a performance of the Verdi Requiem in Coventry Cathedral to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the National Federation of Music Societies.
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16 May 1998
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Nicholas Burt’s Magnificat, Saint Saens Organ Symphony and Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast are performed at Coventry Cathedral. The programme is repeated at the Colston Hall, Bristol a week later.
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9 Oct 1999
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The WSO gives the world premiere of Guy Woolfenden’s Bassoon Concerto. Meyrick Alexander is the soloist.
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11 Mar 2000
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Diamond Jubilee Concert includes a performance of Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony. All previous conductors of the WSO attend, including founder conductor Stanley Vann.
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Stanley Vann after the Diamon Jubilee Concert
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1 Jan 2007
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The WSO’s principal conductor and music director, Guy Woolfenden, is awarded the OBE in the Queen’s New Year honours list, the award being given for services to music.
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