TFO is a limited liability company. It is a self-funding project run by volunteers with a passion for music, music education & film music. All profits raised by TFO are used to build a library of original music for film, TV & video games to help preserve this fabulous repertoire for future generations.
HISTORY
The Film Orchestra (TFO) is a UK based amateur orchestra for intermediate / advanced musicians with a passion for performing music for film and TV. It seeks to bring together musicians from across the generations to play exciting and challenging music in a sociable environment. It is the ambition of the orchestra to perform at a variety of venues and festivals, both indoor and out with back projections, light shows etc. Due to the size of the orchestra (close to 100 members aged 9-83 in July 2013), it is anticipated that outdoor venues will be most appropriate.
TFO was founded by Jane Whittle in July 2012 following a discussion with Peter Sheeran, chief executive of the English Symphony Orchestra. The original idea was to give young orchestral musicians the opportunity to extend their knowledge and experience by sitting alongside ex- and semi- professional orchestral players in performing the exciting repertoire of film music. Social media was deemed to be the way forward in reaching the young musicians of the future and a Facebook group The Film Orchestra was set up to gauge interest.
The Film Orchestra group attracted a much greater interest than anticipated from film music buffs of all ages and abilities and has drawn enquiries from across the UK and indeed across the world. Twitter -@TheFilmOrchUK, blogs from thefilmorchestra.wordpress.com and LinkedIn have all helped spread the news of the project worldwide. Support for the project has come from amateur and professional musicians alike. ESO musicians themselves have become actively involved in developing this rapidly expanding project. Film makers, film composers, conductors and music educators from the UK and US have been in touch support, sharing their knowledge and experience. UK composer and music presenter Howard Goodall is the orchestra’s patron.
TFO met for the first time in February 2013 when 59 musicians came together in St Mary’s School hall, Worcester to play through Star Wars, The Dambusters March, Pirates of the Caribbean, Lord of the Rings etc. The 14-piece string section lost out to the 14-piece brass section but the abundant woodwinds never gave up – what a sound!! The second meeting at Malvern College in May 2013 drew in a larger string section with many young string players joining from the ESO Intermediate Orchestra.
The Film Orchestra to date has received no funding other than an annual membership fee from each of its musicians and some friends of the project. An organising committee of volunteers has been formed to coordinate the vast duties of running an orchestra.
Music has been borrowed & deals have been struck so that all the money raised from the TFO membership goes into running the orchestra until it can stand on its feet.
The debut performance by The Film Orchestra took place at The Swan Theatre, Worcester on Saturday, August 24th as part of the Worcester Festival 2013. The evening was conducted by Thomas Payne ably supported by orchestra leader Lesley Watts. Worcestershire-based film and media composer Hilgrove Kenrick compered the event, drawing on his first hand knowledge of the industry, its composers, musicians and producers whilst International film music photographer Phil Watkins from charity based initiative 'The Passionata Project' also attended the event to capture images of the debut of this new and exciting project.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The interest in the TfO ideals of
only playing original music for film, TV, video games
encouraging all ages to play music together
encouraging adults to get back into music making
giving young people the opportunity to enjoy ensemble music making
giving all musicians a platform to enjoy playing and broaden their skill base
has led to an overwhelming demand for seats within the project.
Consequently TfO has set up a number of graded orchestras where less-experienced musicians can develop their skills to enable them to enjoy their music, progress their skills and strive towards playing at the top of the TfO pyramid.
TfO Children’s Orchestra for under 19s; under grade 5s welcome.
Conductor: Lee Clarke-Butler
Rehearsals: 10am - 12 noon on the 2nd Sunday of each month at The Elms School, Colwall WR13 6EF
TfO Community Orchestra, Malvern for approx. grade 4+.
Enquiries from all ages and instruments welcome to this all-encompassing community orchestra.
Conductor: Peter May
Rehearsals: 12:30 - 3pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month at The Elms School, Colwall WR13 6EF
TfO Community Orchestra, Cheltenham for approx. grade 5+.
Enquiries for vacant seats welcome for this orchestra with standard setting.
Conductor: Alan MacRae
Rehearsals: 2 - 4:30pm on the 2nd Sunday of each month
at Churchdown Community Centre GL3 2JH
THE FILM ORCHESTRA TEAM
TfO Principal Conductor: David Curtis
TfO Orchestra Leader: Marie Roberts-Watkins
TfO Orchestra Manager: Lee Clarke-Butler
Sound - Mark Skyrme: Skylight Sound
TfO Community Orchestra, Cheltenham Conductor: Alan MacRae
TfO Community Orchestra, Cheltenham Leader:Caroline Broekman
TfO Community Orchestra, Cheltenham Manager: Jane Pepperell
TfO Community Orchestra, Malvern Conductor: Peter May
TfO Community Orchestra, Malvern Leader: Joni Foster
TfO Community Orchestra, Malvern Manager: Carla Good
TfO Children’s Orchestra Conductor: Lee Clarke-Butler
TfO Children’s Orchestra Leader: Elise Jenkins
TfO Children’s Orchestra Manager: Carla Good
TfO Safeguarding Officer: Flic Heeley
TfO Health & Safety Officer: Marie Roberts-Watkins
Website - Gavin Erry
Music Advisor & Compere - Hilgrove Kenrick
Legal Advisor & Company Secretary - Andrew Whittle
Managing Director of The Film Orchestra Ltd - Jane Whittle