Sunderland Symphony Orchestra is celebrating it’s 25th birthday in 2025.
Celebrations will include the 25th Anniversary Concert - Saturday, 5 July 2025, 7.00 pm.
The Beacon of Light, Sunderland
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The voluntary orchestra offers support for progression in orchestral engagement across the city. Our impact is recognised as developing orchestral music education and enjoyment through new partnerships in and around Sunderland.
Our orchestra rehearsals take place every Wednesday evening 7:30pm
at St. Mark's Community Association, Sunderland.
Use the contact us page to enquire about membership.
Working with Schools and Community Groups
Sunderland Symphony Orchestra (SSO) works closely with the Sunderland Youth and Community Orchestra (SYCO) and the Sunderland Music Hub (SMH), managed by Together For Children CIC, to offer a
range of participatory outreach music engagement opportunities for children, families, and community groups. Follow THIS LINK to the Sunderland Music Hub to read an interview with Emma Mapplebeck, Cellist with SSO and Musical Director of SYCO and Spotlight testimonials from three young SSO players.
Annual Composition Competition in partnership with the University of Sunderland
Composer Lawrence Chiu played with the orchestra as flautist and piccolo player, before graduating from the University of Sunderland and returning to Malaysia, continuing with composition of chamber music among his musical
works. SSO's Summer Concert on Saturday, 7th July 2018 gave 'Roker Pier' its Première performance. The piece was received with great enthusiasm, inspiring an annual composition competition to be held in partnership with the University of Sunderland.
Inspiring the SSO / University of Sunderland Composition Competition, Lawrence Chiu's Roker Pier, performed by Sunderland Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Paul Judson, has been set to photography and film by SSO Development Manager, Matthew Burge.