1940

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.

Dr Stanley Vann, front centre, with the Leamington Spa Bach Choir

8 July 1947

Inaugural General Meeting held.  Stanley Vann is confirmed as conductor.

3 May 1949

Harold Dexter is appointed music director following Dr. Stanley Vann’s departure

Leamington Town Hall

31 May 1953

Coronation Concert performed at Leamington own Hall

18 Nov 1956

Peter Hurford is appointed conductor in succession to Harold Dexter

20 Dec 1956

The Christmas Concert proves to be a marathon, consisting of 19 works.

11 May 1958

The WSO perfforms Rodrigo’s Guitar Concerto with a young Julian Bream as soloist.

12 May 1958

John Strickson is appointed conductor as successor to Peter Hurford.

John Strickson

9 Dec 1962

Paul Beard, former leader of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, becomes guest leader, and later full-time leader of the WSO.

June 1964

Kenneth Page is appointed leader in succession to Paul Beard

19 Mar 1967

Alan Civil is soloist in performances of Mozart’s Fourth Horn Concerto and Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings..

10 Mar 1968

Alfredo Campoli plays to a capacity audience at Leamington Town Hall as soloist in a performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto

Timothy Reynish

Jan 1969

Timothy Reynish is appointed conductor, having been chosen from the 35 applicants who applied for the post.

15 Mar 1970

The WSO gives the world premiere of The Green Dragon by Derek Bourgeois, a work commissioned by the orchestra.

30 May 1970

First concert in the newly-opened Guy Nelson Hall, Denis Matthews being the soloist in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3

29 May 1971

Guy Woolfenden’s first concert with the WSO, as guest conductor.

15 June 1972

WSO gives the inaugural concert at the opening of the Royal Spa Centre, Leamington.  Denis Matthews is soloist in Timothy Reynish’s final concert.

Guy Woolfenden

July 1972

Guy Woolfenden is appointed conductor in succession to Timothy Reynish.

1 Nov 1973

WSO’s first foreign visit, to Sceaux, a suburb of Paris

Nov 1974

WSO’s first visit to Leamington’s twin-town, Brühl, near Cologne as guests of the Brühler Chorvereinigung.

The WSO performs an outdoor concert at Brühl

7 Oct 1979

Peter Donohoe makes his debut with the WSO in a performance of Brahms’ Piano Concerto No 1

13 Oct 1985

Tasmin Little is soloist in a performance of Korngold’s Violin Concerton.

Jeremy Ballard

1993

Jeremy Ballard is appointed as leader following a number of solo guest appearances

11 May 1996

WSO gives a performance of the Verdi Requiem in Coventry Cathedral to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the National Federation of Music Societies.

16 May 1998

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.

9 Oct 1999

The WSO gives the world premiere of Guy Woolfenden’s Bassoon Concerto.  Meyrick Alexander is the soloist.

11 Mar 2000

Diamond Jubilee Concert includes a performance of Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony.  All previous conductors of the WSO attend, including founder conductor Stanley Vann.

Stanley Vann after the Diamon Jubilee Concert

1 Jan 2007

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.