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Oadby and Wigston
Civic Orchestra
Conductor: Keith Smith
About the Orchestra
The Civic Orchestra was founded in 1966 to provide a series of instrumental concerts each season within the community. Since its inception it has been under the musical direction and conductorship of Keith Smith. In addition to a wide range of ‘Classical’ music the programmes for each season also include light-hearted, popular events, such as a ‘Summer Prom’ and the annual ‘New Year Viennese Night’. For many years the orchestra has followed a policy of inviting soloists from leading colleges of music. These young instrumentalists and singers have relished the opportunity to perform with an orchestra, and several of them have progressed to have an international career. These have included Dame Sally Matthews - soprano, John Mills – violinist – and the cellist David Cohen. The Civic Orchestra has often performed compositions by Leicestershire composers, and several works have been written specially for the ensemble. These composers have included Terence Dwyer and Geoffrey Tomlinson.
2025/26 Concerts
Future concert dates:
11th October 2025
Autumn Fantasy Concert - see below
3rd January 2026 - New year Viennese Celebration (Venue to be announced)
28th February 2026 - 60th Anniversary Concert (Venue to be announced)Autumn Fantasy Concert with star soloist Bozidar Vukotic - Conductor Keith Smith
11th October 2025 - 7.30pm
St Thomas' Church
South Wigston
Tickets £12.00, OAP concession £10
School students free.
Tickets available at the door.We are delighted to welcome soloist Bozidar Vukotic to play Elgar’s Cello Concerto.
Bozidar Vukotic was born in London and began to play the cello at the age of seven. Having graduated from the University of East Anglia, he studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Stefan Popov and was awarded the coveted Premier Prix. He then continued his studies with William Pleeth and completed his training with Alexander Kniazev at the Moscow Conservatoire.
Bozidar made his debut solo recording for EMI Classics playing Howard Goodall’s ‘The Seasons’ and most recently released a recording of Stravinsky and Schnittke for
SAMMS recordings, along with the pianist / composer Alissa Firsova. He has performed as soloist with the English Chamber Orchestra, and played solo continuo cello parts in concertos with Pinchas Zuckerman. As a founder member of the Tippett Quartet, he regularly performs on BBC Radio 3 and in all the major London concert halls. His latest recordings with the quartet were awarded Gramophone’s Recording of the Month and were nominated for an International Classical Music Award.
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The Civic Orchestra was founded in 1966 to provide a series of instrumental concerts each season within the community.
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