Enjoy a magical moment with us
Southern Sinfonia is a professional chamber orchestra and much, much more.
Based in Somerset, we play a diverse and exciting repertoire and present world-class performances of the highest quality across the South of England, all year round. Committed to musical excellence, we are one of the most distinctive chamber ensembles currently performing in the UK.
The Orchestra
Southern Sinfonia’s reputation continues to grow as the leading professional chamber orchestra in the South of England. With Sir Roger Norrington, its Patron and Artistic Director/Conductor, Simon Chalk, the orchestra, established in 1995, is developing its innovative residency at Queen’s College in Taunton, Somerset, alongside its other performance relationships. The Orchestra is characterised by the strength and depth of knowledge of its freelance professional players – from their unique ability to play Baroque instruments at the correct pitch and with informed playing style, to commitment to both well established, contemporary and newly composed music
Southern Sinfonia has made a number of high-profile recordings, most recently the world premieres of Requiems by Matthew Coleridge, Dan Locklair (both on Convivium) and Carl Rütti (Naxos), and the Bach B Minor Mass and Monteverdi Vespers with Ralph Allwood and the Rodolfus Choir (Signum).
Southern Sinfonia, the Chamber Orchestra of Southern England.
The orchestra was formed 30 years ago by violinist Miranda Wilson in her barn at Boxford near Newbury.
It soon picked up a following and Chris de Souza (former Radio 3 Presenter) was appointed Artistic Advisor.
Previous chief conductors have included Steuart Bedford and David Hill.
Our Conductor
Simon Chalk
“Dynamic”… “passionate"… “committed”… “devilish but with a great sense of fun”… “a musician’s conductor”....
Not the words of a music critic but praise from orchestral colleagues around the world.
Simon is Artistic Director and Conductor of Southern Sinfonia, Principal Guest Conductor of the Slovak Sinfonietta (formerly its Chief Conductor) and Guest Conductor of the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted orchestras in over 70 countries, across a plethora of musical genres and has appeared at some of the world’s most iconic venues, the Royal Albert Hall, Sydney Opera House, the O2 in London and Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. He has made numerous recordings including two live DVDs with the international vocal quartet, Il Divo.
He has worked alongside some of the finest soloists including Peter Donohoe, Eugen Indjic, Nicholas Daniel, Catrin Finch, Craig Ogden and musicians from many other musical styles including IL Divo, Lea Salonga, Alfie Boe, Kathryn Jenkins, Russell Watson, Alice Cooper, Roger Daltrey, Barry Manilow and Johnny Mathis.