THE NEW ENGLISH CONCERT ORCHESTRA

The New English Concert Orchestra - The Orchestra of the Battle Proms

Leader: George Ewart   Manager: Philip Head Assistant Manager: Stuart Essenhigh Administrator: Carole Lindsay-Douglas

The New English Concert Orchestra (NECO) was founded in 1988 by their conductor Douglas Coombes and his wife Carole Lindsay-Douglas. Originally it gave mainly family and children’s concerts, sponsored by British Telecom, with the chief aim of introducing young people to a wide variety of music and instruments, and encouraging them to play and sing with the orchestra. The orchestra employs a good mixture of outstanding players and those just starting out in the profession, and this blend is the core of the ethos of the NECO. The work of the NECO has now spread to giving a variety of other concerts including accompanying choral societies, giving school concerts and playing for various functions.

In 1997 the NECO took part in the very first Battle Proms Concert in Battle Abbey, Sussex, and since then they have played in every concert in the series. Over the years the orchestra has worked with JSL Productions in concerts given in the grounds of such stately homes as Althorp Park, Attingham Park, Battle Abbey, Blenheim Palace, Borde Hill, Burghley House, Hatfield House, Highclere Castle, Loseley Park, Ragley Hall, Stoneleigh Abbey and Stowe Landscape Gardens. Every concert has included Beethoven’s Battle Symphony and it has now been said that the NECO has played this work more times than any other orchestra.

In a number of the Battle Proms and in concert halls, the orchestra welcomes the opportunity of working with young soloists. It was in November 2004 that the orchestra made its London debut at St. John’s Smith Square, accompanying the concerto debut of the young violinist Victoria Goldsmith.

In 2005 the orchestra took part in a unique concert in Birmingham when they appeared at a Barclays Bank Conference, with individual members playing an introduction to various speakers throughout the day, before coming together to give a short concert at the end of the conference.

HIRING THE ORCHESTRA

If you are interested in hiring the New English Concert Orchestra, The New English Chamber Orchestra or the New English Concert String Orchestra or just a small ensemble from the orchestra (such as a string, wind or brass quartet) please direct enquiries to:

HIRING ORCHESTRAL MUSIC

Many of the special arrangements played by the orchestra have been created by Douglas Coombes and are listed HERE

Contact hire@lindsaymusic.co.uk for a quote and availability.

E-mail:                                                                                      or Tel: (+44) (0)1767 260815