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Founded in 1919 by Claud Powell, the GSO established itself throughout the inter-war
years as an amateur orchestra of distinction. Famous composers came to conduct,
notably Elgar with his violin concerto, Vaughan Williams with his fifth symphony and
Roger Quilter with his Children's Overture. Other guest conductors have included Adrian
Boult, Arthur Bliss and Charles Groves. After Claud Powell's death in 1959 Ralph Nicholson
took over with his inimitable combination of warm-hearted humour and fine musicianship;
in 1990 the baton passed to Darrell Davison, under whose expert and dynamic direction
new heights have been scaled.
The last decade has been a period of particularly impressive development. The orchestra
has grown in numbers and in reputation; both the standard of playing and the difficulty
of the works played have risen; the GSO is now the only Guildford orchestra regularly
offering a full-scale programme of 19th and 20th century symphonic
music. The musical development of young people has long been a priority with the GSO:
its 'Tidings of Joy' concerts at the Cathedral see a large children's choir performing
Christmas songs they have composed, and in February or March of each year five young
instrumentalists of exciting promise are featured playing concerto movements in the annual
Young Artists' Concert.
The GSO sees itself very much as a community orchestra, with
close links to local charities who benefit from the retiring collection at each concert. Before
the closure of the Guildford Civic Centre, GSO played a series of popular Family Concerts
promoted by Guildford Borough Council.
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