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Bardi Wind Celebrate VE Day 80 at De Montfort Hall

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10th June 2025

Sunday’s Bardi Wind Orchestra concert delivers exactly what was needed for a stylish but meaningful VE DAY80 commemoration. 

One of the City’s main events to celebrate VE Day80 was a concert given by the Bardi Wind Orchestra under the baton of Music Director and Conductor David Calow at De Montfort Hall on Sunday.  The BWO have given charity concerts, in conjunction with the Oadby and Wigston Lions Club at DMH over the last 16 years but this was one of the most memorable ever, with a carefully chosen programme reflecting the war years with melodies that were evidently very familiar to most of the audience.

It was one of the largest audiences for a BWO concert in recent years and they were expertly guided through the programme by Martin Ballard who had marshalled a remarkable range of facts about the pieces played, from music which accompanied actual wartime films, to much loved Eric Coates themes from BBC Radio and from more up to date films depicting the war. He also set the music into context with facts about how the war affected Leicester itself.

Vocal items came from David Morris and Jenny Saunders including We’ll Meet Again, and handkerchiefs emerged from pockets more than once. Lt Colonel (retd) Bryon Brotherton MBE was the solo piper in an arrangement of Amazing Grace and later returned to talk about the work of the chosen charity, the Army Benevolent Fund of which he is Chairman of the Leicestershire and Rutland Committee.

It would be difficult to pick out any one piece of music as a highlight, as there were far too many, but two memories of the occasion that will linger are the standing ovation by the whole audience for 100 year old RAF Veteran Philip Kendal (who once built a stage for a concert given by Vera Lynn!) and the sight of virtually every Mayor and other Dignitaries  in Leicester, Leicestershire and Ruland wearing their chains having a photograph in the interval reception.

The rousing and accomplished finale of Coates’ Dam Busters March sent a very happy audience on their way home. 

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New Horizons Season Finale A Triumph

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20th May 2025

A huge audience attended the final concert of the Bardi Orchestra’s 2024/25 ‘New Horizons’ De Montfort Hall season.

Audiences have been building substantially over the whole season, but this concert attracted over 1400, and we were worrying that some of our usual ‘late bookers’ might miss out! The concert was conducted by 27-year-old Tom Fetherstonhaugh, an assured and talented rising star who is already making a name for himself.

The concert began with a spirited performance of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto by Fenella Humphreys, the musical rapport between her and Tom, and the Orchestra, ensured that even at incredible speed not a foot (or a bow) went wrong. 

The whole of the second half was taken up with a performance of Holst’s The Planets such as has never been seen in DMH before. A huge orchestra was carefully shoehorned on to the stage, with a large percussion section and such rarities as a bass oboe and a bass flute. On each side of the stage several carefully selected images of each of the planets were projected accompanied by coloured lighting effects throughout the hall. The last movement of The Planets features a wordless off-stage chorus of upper voices, and we were delighted to be joined off-stage by singers from Leicestershire Chorale who faded away to silence at the end of the piece – a really magical moment before the audience erupted into loud applause. A memorable afternoon which will stay long in the memory of those who were there. 

The afternoon saw the launch of Bardi’s 2025/26 season for which tickets (with some generous subscription discounts) will be on sale at the end of this week, we look forward to seeing you all again next season!

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A stellar season finale not to be missed

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7th May 2025

The Orchestra are gearing up for an amazing finale to their New Horizons season at De Montfort Hall on Sunday 18th May.  

Our fourth guest conductor Tom Fetherstonhaugh brings with him a wide range of conducting experience. The first half of the concert consists of Tchaikovsky’s ever popular Violin Concerto with soloist Fenella Humphreys. The whole of the second half is taken up with a performance of Holst’s The Planets when the Orchestra are joined by the Upper Voices of Leicestershire Chorale for the final movement.  They performed this work with us an amazing 15 years ago, so it is fitting that they are back with us again. The Planets requires the largest number of orchestral players of the season (for starters think six French horns, two sets of timpani, two harps and an organ).  

The Bardi are also supported by Leicester’s own National Space Centre for this concert as they have helped in producing visual projections of each planet to complement the music in the second half. With atmospheric lighting effects on stage too, it will be a performance not to miss!  

Tom Featherstonhaugh is Artistic Director of Fantasia Orchestra, with whom he made his BBC Proms debut in August 2024 conducting two performances at the Royal Albert Hall. He founded the orchestra in 2016, and they have developed a busy schedule at festivals and venues across the country. Assistant Conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra between 2022–2024, this year he returns to Bournemouth along with performances with the Britten Sinfonia, Ulster Orchestra, Orchestra of Opera North and makes his debuts with the BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata, National Symphony Orchestra (Ireland) Royal Northern Sinfonia, and the Bardi Symphony Orchestra of course!

As of last week in excess of 1,100 tickets had been sold making this the top selling concert of the season, and for a number of years at De Montfort Hall. A fitting finale to what has been a rewarding and very exciting exploration of ‘New Horizons’ for the Orchestra in 2024/25.

Click here to book your tickets here for The Planets on 18th May

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Isata Kanneh-Mason the Star for record Bardi DMH audience

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24th March 2025

There was a real sense of anticipation in the air on Sunday afternoon when the largest audience so far of the 2024-25 season began to appear at De Montfort Hall.

A queue formed outside (thank goodness it was fine weather!) as we discovered that the concert had drawn the largest number of seats sold not just this season, but for over 10 years at a Bardi classical concert at De Montfort Hall. All of this was probably due to the sparkling programme of music on offer and, of course, the much-anticipated appearance of the internationally renowned pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason.  

Guest conductor for this, the third concert in the Bardi’s New Horizons season, was Toby Purser. Head of Conducting at the Royal College of Music, Toby brought with him a vast array of experience, conducting most of the high-profile orchestras in the UK and much further afield, and an involvement in a number of opera festivals and seasons. He is also the Artistic Director of the Peace and Prosperity Trust which supports charitable projects for young artists in the Middle East. 

The rapport between Orchestra and Conductor was evident from the start of the concert with clear enjoyment of the pieces.  Isata simply brought the house down with a stunning performance of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3, she debuted with Bardi 11 years ago with many of the audience recalling that appearance.

An amazing experience for a March Sunday afternoon!
See you all at our stellar season finale on May 18th for The Planets.

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Isata Kanneh-Mason joins the Bardi for a thrilling afternoon of music

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17th March 2025

The all-day rehearsal at the weekend, in advance of Sunday’s Bardi Symphony Orchestra concert proved to be a really exciting ear-opener.  

The programme includes a wonderful mix of lush romantic music; excitement right from the opening bars of the much loved Overture to Glinka’s opera Ruslan and Lyudmila, to the closing bars of Stravinsky’s The Firebird.  

The centrepiece is, of course, an opportunity to hear the slightly less frequently performed Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 3 played by topflight international pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. This is a great coup for Bardi and many players (and probably audience too) remember predicting a great future for Isata when she made her Leicester debut with the Orchestra in 2015. How right everyone was!

Guest Conductor for this concert is Toby Purser who is currently Head of Conducting at the Royal College of Music but leads an illustrious conducting career alongside this.  Should you wish go and listen to the concert you are advised not to delay getting in touch with the De Montfort Hall Box Office as tickets are selling exceptionally well.

Sunday 23rd March 2025 at 3pm
Isata Kanneh-Mason Plays Rachmaninov

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Bardi Wind Celebrate VE Day 80 this June

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21st February 2025

On Sunday 8th June, join the Bardi Wind Orchestra for their 19th annual De Montfort Hall charity gala concert, this year supporting the Army Benevolent Fund as the country celebrates VE Day 80!

To mark this important historic occasion, the Bardi Wind will be performing evocative music from classic war films including The Dam Busters, Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List, Spitfire Prelude, 633 Squadron and The Great Escape as well as favourites from the war-time era by Glenn Miller and Vera Lynn.

Formed in 1992, the Bardi Wind Orchestra have been performing charity concerts across Leicester and Leicestershire for over 30 years. This year they are once again joined by the Oadby and Wigston Lions Club, a long-time partner with the Orchestra in their fundraising efforts for The Army Benevolent Fund, the Army’s national charity which supports soldiers, past and present and their families.

Join us for an afternoon of music and song celebrating this historic anniversary and supporting a great cause.

Bardi Wind Orchestra

We’ll Meet Again: A Concert Celebrating VE Day 80

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Bardi Symphony Orchestra Workshop Day 2025

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18th February 2025

The Bardi Symphony Orchestra held their annual Workshop on Saturday. Conducted by leader Adam Summerhayes, the players enjoyed a very rewarding day getting to grips with Prokofiev’s Symphony No.5. 

The idea of the day was to rehearse a challenging work that the orchestra had not done before which concluded with an exciting complete run through of the 45 minute symphony. The workshop was held in Holy Trinity Church on Regent Road in Leicester, a familiar venue to the Bardi and the staff were, as always incredibly helpful. 

It was also a social day for the players who enjoyed a nice lunch together and afterwards there was general agreement that a good day of music making had been had by all. A small group of supporters of the orchestra who had watched the run through were very complimentary and said they couldn’t believe that they had witnessed such a polished performance given such a short rehearsal time. Here’s to the next one…

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Congratulations Bardi Young Musician 2025, Prakash Easwar for a fantastic winning performance

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28th January 2025

Saturday 25th January saw the latest in the Bardi Young Musician Competition concert series which was again held at Holy Trinity Church on Regent Road in Leicester.

An enthusiastic audience witnessed 2025 winner Prakash Easwar play French composer Paule Maurice’s Tableaux de Provence suite for Alto Saxophone and orchestra. A student at Leicester Grammar School, the talented 15-year-old saxophonist produced a virtuoso performance of musicality and technical prowess, with the resulting cheers and applause fully justified.

The 2025 Young Musician award was then presented to Prakash by the Bardi Orchestra Manager Robert Calow.

Conductor Paul Hilliam, and the symphony orchestra were also on top form in a classical programme including Beethoven’s Prometheus Overture, Haydn’s ‘London’ Symphony No.104 and the beautiful Five Variants of Dives & Lazarus for Strings and Harp by Vaughan Williams.

The Bardi Orchestra is proud to be continuing this competition which showcases local instrumental music students.

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Meet Prakash Easwar, our Bardi Young Musician 2025

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17th January 2025

On January 25th, at Holy Trinity Church, Regent Road, you can watch a star of the future performing with the Bardi alongside other classical favourites.

For his prize-winning performance, Bardi Young Musician 2025 Prakash Easwar, performs a charming, rarely heard suite for Saxophone by French composer Paule Maurice. Written between 1948 and 1955, Tableaux de Provence (Pictures of Provence) is a programmatic suite dedicated to French saxophone virtuoso, Marcel Mule. The movements describe the culture and scenery of Provence, south east France, where the Mules, Paule Maurice and her husband, composer Pierre Lantier, spent vacation time together. 

A 15-year-old academic and music scholar at Leicester Grammar School, Prakash is a passionate musician who plays the violin, saxophone and piano. Supported by the school’s music department and inspired by his saxophone teacher, John Barker, Prakash holds Grade 8 qualifications in both piano and violin and has recently completed his ARSM diploma in saxophone, achieving a high distinction. He is an active member of the Big Band and First Orchestra, enjoys performing Bollywood, folk and jazz music, and has played violin with the Market Harborough Choral Society. Prakash has won several piano competitions at Leicester MusicFest and regularly performs in local cultural celebrations.

In addition to his musical pursuits, Prakash balances his interests with a passion for sports, particularly cricket and tennis. He is a member of his School 1st Team Cricket and plays for Kibworth Cricket Club. He finds inspiration in his violinist brother and hopes to pursue music further alongside a medical career, aspiring to become a doctor while keeping music as an integral part of his life.

Prakash’s performance is programmed alongside, in the first half, Vaughan Williams’s sumptuous Five Variants of Dives and Lazarus one of his most popular works with audiences and the composer himself, who said he loved the tune all his life. Opening with Beethoven’s The Creatures of Prometheus Overture, the concert concludes with the last of Haydn’s 104 symphonies, the ‘London Symphony‘.

Click here to book your tickets today for this concert showcasing a star of the future!

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