During the last ten years the Oxford Philomusica has become, in the words of the Oxford Times, ‘a musical resource for the city and beyond’. In October 2002 the Orchestra became the first-ever Orchestra in Residence at the University of Oxford, and its all-year round service to town and gown alike has attracted consistent critical praise and loyal and growing public support. Highlights from the Orchestra’s first decade include the unique 2006 Mainly Mozart Festival – an epic journey of twenty-seven celebratory concerts marking the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, an outstanding recording of The Creation, and the annual staging of the International Piano Festival and Summer Academy, where some of the world’s most sought-after teachers and performers, as observed by the New York Times, ‘turn piano lessons into performance art’. ... read full bio

During the last ten years the Oxford Philomusica has become, in the words of the Oxford Times, ‘a musical resource for the city and beyond’. In October 2002 the Orchestra became the first-ever Orchestra in Residence at the University of Oxford, and its all-year round service to town and gown alike has attracted consistent critical praise and loyal and growing public support. Highlights from the Orchestra’s first decade include the unique 2006 Mainly Mozart Festival – an epic journey of twenty-seven celebratory concerts marking the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth, an outstanding recording of The Creation, and the annual staging of the International Piano Festival and Summer Academy, where some of the world’s most sought-after teachers and performers, as observed by the New York Times, ‘turn piano lessons into performance art’.

Beyond Oxford, the Oxford Philomusica is rapidly developing a national and international touring programme. A London presence has already been established with appearances at the Barbican and Queen Elizabeth Halls and, more recently, at the Cadogan Hall. Further afield, the Orchestra has visited Switzerland, France, and Greece, and a major tour of the United States is planned for the autumn of 2011.

This rapid rise in the Orchestra’s standing has been founded on uncompromising artistic standards, maintained by some of the very best orchestral musicians in the London/Oxford Thames Valley under the inspiring and meticulous leadership of the Orchestra’s Founder and Music Director Marios Papadopoulos. Since its inception the Orchestra has enjoyed endorsement of its mission from a remarkable roster of distinguished artists and supporters. Vladimir Ashkenazy, Patron of the Oxford Philomusica, first appeared with the Orchestra in February 2001 as soloist and conductor and has been a regular visitor ever since.

The Oxford Philomusica has frequently appeared in the presence of British Royalty, including HRH The Prince of Wales and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, and has also established an annual fund-raising concert and dinner in the Palace of Westminster. In April 2002 the orchestra was honoured at a reception at 10 Downing Street. The Orchestra has presented the annual Churchill Memorial Concert at Blenheim Palace for the last two years and has a residency at Ditchley Park, regularly providing music for international conferences.

Education and community work is a central part of the Orchestra's mission. As part of the University Residency, the Orchestra collaborates with the University of Oxford Faculty of Music in educational programmes for the benefit of the student community, and its dedicated team of specialists maintains an ongoing programme of work in schools, hospitals and community centres. In June 2007 the Oxford Philomusica won the Oxford Times Charity and Community Award in the Oxfordshire Business Awards 2007 in recognition of its far-reaching work in the community, including its artistic leadership of the celebrated Blackbird Leys Choir. The Orchestra has recently formed a partnership with Oxfordshire County Council to provide performance opportunities and tuition to the hundreds of talented young musicians in the area.

As it prepares to enter its second decade, the Oxford Philomusica enthusiastically accepts its Arts Council-recognised role to fill ‘an identifiable regional need’, and to play its full part in the provision of first-rate orchestral music for the nation.