NSO
A Magical Christmas Cracker
Sunday 15th December
3:00 pm • Spinney Theatre
Get Ready for a Magical Christmas Adventure!
Dust off your wands and join us for our Magic-Themed Christmas Cracker Concert .
This year, William Thallon will be our compere and narrator, guiding us through a spellbinding journey, complete with owls in flight and Quidditch games as the orchestra performs selections from John Williams’ Children’s Suite from Harry Potter. Plus, enjoy the classic Sorcerer’s Apprentice, narrated in a way you’ve never heard before! But the real magic awaits with the laugh-out-loud The Scary Fairy Saves Christmas — a fantastically witty original tale by Red Dwarf and Eastenders star Craig Charles, paired with a bold, cinematic score. It’s a Christmas story like no other!
And that’s not all! Enjoy festive favourites, a mince pie, and some mulled wine or juice at the interval. It’s the perfect way to start the holiday season!
Tickets are on sale now! Don’t miss out — grab yours today
Concerts
Saturday, Nov 16
Christ Church
- Johann Sebastian Bach (arr. Stokowski) - Toccata & Fugue, BWV 565, D minor
- Richard Strauss - Four Last Songs, TrV 296
- Gustav Holst - The Planets
Sunday, Dec 15
Spinney Theatre
With Compere and narrator William Thallon
To include:
- Iain Farrington – The Scary Fairy Saves Christmas
- John Williams – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Children’s Suite Selections - Hedwig's Theme, Nimbus 2000, Quidditch, Harry's Wondrous World
- Frank Bridge – A Christmas Dance (Sir Roger de Coverley)
- Paul Dukas – The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
- plus Christmas favourites, mulled wine or juice, and a mince pie!
Saturday, Mar 01
Spinney Theatre
- John Adams – The Chairman Dances; Foxtrot for Orchestra
- Maurice Ravel – Piano Concerto in G Minor
- Sergei Rachmaninov- Symphonic Dances, op. 45
Saturday, May 03
Christ Church
- Grażyna Bacewicz – Overture
- Antonin Dvořák - Concerto, Violin, op.53, B.96, A minor
- Sergei Prokofiev - Symphony no. 7
Saturday, Jun 14
Spinney Theatre
- Richard Strauss - Introduction from “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (2001: A Space Odyssey)
- John Williams – Suite from “Jaws”
- Howard Hanson – Symphony no 2 “The Romantic” – (Alien)
- Ennio Morricone - L'Ultima Diligenza di Red Rock from “The Hateful Eight”
- Malcolm Arnold – No Love for Johnnie: Suite
- Joe Hisaishi - Symphonic Variation “Merry-go-round” from "Howl's Moving Castle"
- John Williams - Three Pieces from Star Wars
Sunday, Jul 13
TBA
A concert and afternoon reception exclusive to the Friends of the NSO and guests. We will again feature the NMPAT soloists competition winner.
About us
Founded in 1893, the Northampton Symphony Orchestra is widely regarded as one of the United Kingdom's top amateur symphony orchestras. Our membership is drawn from excellent amateurs, teachers, former professional musicians and students in and around Northamptonshire. Most members have achieved at least Grade VIII on their instrument.
With Musical Director, John Gibbons, we perform regularly in Northampton's many classical music venues with top professional soloists in repertoire that encompasses all styles of classical music. Rehearsals usually take place on a Wednesday evening during school term time.
We are supported by an active and flourishing Friends' scheme that provides many exclusive benefits for supporters.
The Northampton Symphony Orchestra's excellence in amateur music making has led to invitations to play in various local music festivals (such as the one celebrating local composer, Malcolm Arnold and the Northampton Music Festival) and collaborations with other local music ensembles.
Friends of NSO
It is said you can’t buy friendship, but you can buy exclusive membership to the NSO Friends’ Scheme. Why not pay for a friend to become a Friend? It’s a great gift to give.
For a minimum donation of £25 a year, you can become a Friend of the orchestra. There are a number of exclusive benefits available through the Friends’ scheme, and your contribution plays an important part in funding our concerts and securing the orchestra’s future. As a Friend, you will receive:
- Two free tickets to the Friends’ concert and buffet
- A discount on all concert tickets (including the season ticket)
- Regular NSO newsletters about forthcoming concerts
- A free programme each concert
- Your name printed in our programmes and website
A heart-felt thank you goes to