The longest established professional Chamber Orchestra in the North West, the Northern Chamber Orchestra (NCO) has a longstanding reputation for outstanding performances and world-class collaborations. Striving for excellence and musical innovation, the NCO presently curates a season of eight core concerts hosted at The King’s School and St Michael’s Church in Macclesfield, as well as its Christmas Concerts at Tatton Park. The NCO consistently draws internationally renowned soloists of the highest calibre to its stage. The upcoming 2025-26 season is no exception, featuring esteemed soloists such as Steven Osborne OBE and Alec Frank-Gemmill, alongside many other distinguished players. By embracing its local area and beyond, the NCO deepens its legacy of connecting people through musical exploration, enriching the North West’s cultural landscape and fostering fresh appreciation for classical music.
The NCO regularly takes its music on the road, bringing exceptional performances to audiences across the North of England. As a key partner in the Orchestras Live initiative, the NCO reaches rural communities, including the Lake District.
Comprising of twenty-five musicians, the orchestra boasts an ensemble of distinguished chamber players, many of whom frequently step into the limelight as soloists. Our orchestra is led by the talented team of Zoë Beyers as Music Director and Sarah Brandwood-Spencer as Associate Director. Their creative experience and dynamic approach allow our orchestra to reach new audiences and expand our horizons. Through collaborations with prestigious entities such as Orchestras Live, Chetham’s School of Music, Lake District Music and leading Music Hubs, the NCO is immersed in an array of high-profile partnerships. It is deeply committed to an extensive learning and development programme that extends to schools, colleges, and music groups in various concert venues. This commitment aligns with the orchestra’s ethos of fostering engaging and inspirational projects tailored to address specific needs. Notably, the NCO is dedicated to nurturing emerging talents, as exemplified by its support of a fourteen-year-old Jennifer Pike in 2003 and the nineteen-year-old Jess Gillam. Collaborations with Chetham’s School of Music have facilitated remarkable learning experiences, allowing gifted music students to rehearse with and share the stage with the NCO’s accomplished musicians, fostering an enduring learning and performance partnership.
The orchestra’s remarkable influence extends beyond live performances, with over thirty critically acclaimed recordings in its discography. While showcasing expertise across a diverse repertoire, the NCO embraces opportunities to premiere contemporary compositions by esteemed composers such as Adam Gorb, Anthony Gilbert, and David Ellis, thereby contributing to the evolution of musical artistry.
