A large music ensemble from Lanarkshire that has outgrown most venues is set to perform a special festive concert in Rutherglen later this year. The Lanarkshire Cecilian Orchestra, now comprising 60 members, has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, making it challenging to find suitable stages to accommodate its increasing audience. The orchestra, which holds three concerts annually, will bring its Christmas concert to Stonelaw Parish Church, with additional performances in spring and summer.
Established in Blantyre in 1956, the Lanarkshire Cecilian Orchestra, named after Saint Cecilian – the patron saint of music, is now a registered charity. Led by a trio of professional musicians, Martin Barnett, Caitlin Hollinger, and Mark Wilson, the orchestra boasts a diverse repertoire, including chamber music, classical pieces, light classical works, shows, and film music. Recent concerts have featured selections from popular films and musicals such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Trek, West Side Story, and Jesus Christ Superstar, alongside classical symphonies and concertos by renowned composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Vivaldi.
Wendy Thorley-Ryder, bassoonist and media officer for the orchestra, highlighted the challenge of finding venues to accommodate the orchestra’s growth, with the addition of a larger choir during Christmas concerts further complicating the search. The orchestra has outgrown previous venues like the Glow Centre in Motherwell and a church in East Kilbride, prompting the need to seek new performance spaces. With a significant increase in the number of musicians and choir members, reaching 60 orchestra members and a 70-strong choir, the group faces logistical hurdles when planning concerts.
Lanarkshire’s only amateur orchestra, the Lanarkshire Cecilian Orchestra welcomes musicians from various regions, although the majority are from Lanarkshire, including members from Cambuslang. The orchestra’s evolution over the years reflects its growing popularity and influence within the local music scene, necessitating larger venues to accommodate its expanding roster of performers. As the orchestra continues to thrive and attract more members and audiences, finding suitable performance spaces remains a key consideration for its future concerts.
For those interested in joining the orchestra or attending their upcoming concert at Stonelaw Church in Rutherglen, tickets are available for purchase online. With a diverse range of musical genres and a commitment to delivering high-quality performances, the Lanarkshire Cecilian Orchestra looks forward to sharing its passion for music with audiences in Rutherglen and beyond.