An Orchestra Like No Other. Classical music needs brilliant young advocates to communicate its power and worth in the 21st century. Southbank Sinfonia brings together 32 outstanding graduates from all over the world to prepare them for this role.

Every year its players, each supported by a bursary, undertake an intensive and wide-ranging nine month programme of performance and professional development. This comprises performances across Britain and Europe involving orchestral repertoire, chamber music, opera, dance and theatre, alongside development sessions embracing leadership and teamwork, and opportunities to be role-models, inspiring many younger musicians on London’s Southbank and beyond.

In such lively bands as Southbank Sinfonia, bright, open-minded young players are redefining everything about classical music concerts, from where they take place, to what you hear and how you behave… give this brilliant new breed of bands a try. You may be watching a revolution.

Richard Morrison, The Times

A distinctive and integral part of the programme is the orchestra’s creative partnerships with leading performing arts organisations including the Royal Opera, National Theatre, BBC Concert Orchestra, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and acclaimed artists such as Patrons Edward Gardner and Vladimir Ashkenazy. The orchestra is proud to be based at St John’s Waterloo, in the heart of London, where its regular free Rush Hour concerts give many people their first ever experience of live orchestral music.

To enable players to devote themselves fully to the experience, every place is free, and every player receives a bursary. A registered charity, Southbank Sinfonia receives no public funding and is indebted to its many individual donors, trusts and foundations, and corporate supporters who believe in the potential of its young musicians.

Find out more about Southbank Sinfonia.