NEW amateur Dorset orchestra Magna Sinfonia launches this spring and confirms Frank Zielhorst as guest conductor

Dorset’s latest music venture is based in Bournemouth and inspired by three talented young music graduates with a passion for music-making of the highest quality.

An orchestra run by musicians for musicians, Magna Sinfonia’s programmes and rehearsal experiences will focus on the pleasure of playing orchestral music and performing with professional guest conductors and soloists.

Local founders Ben Jennings, Chris Block and Alex Segrave have managed to raise 50 per cent of their £750 of start-up costs through crowd-funding website Kickstarter, and are looking for additional support from the local community to hit their target.

Chris Block, musician and one the Magna Sinfonia founders said “There is such a great tradition of amateur music-making in the local area and we are hoping to build on this and attract the best local amateur and semi-professional players. We will hold three concerts a year and will use different conductors at each performance, as we know this provides a really valuable and enriching experience for us as musicians.”

The orchestra is now inviting musicians of Grade 8+ to register via the website for their free taster rehearsal on Saturday April 9, 9.30am to 12.30pm at St Mark’s Church of England Church Hall, Talbot Village, Bournemouth.

Rehearsals start in May, their first concert will take place in June 2016 under the baton of guest conductor Frank Zielhorst. Described as the one of the Netherlands most promising young conducting talents, Frank is currently in post with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra as their Young Conductor in Association.

To register for the free taster rehearsal, pledge support or to find out more about the Orchestra, visit www.magnasinfonia.org