The Airedale Symphony Orchestra has a long and distinguished history, dating back to its founding in 1898, when it was established as the Keighley and District Orchestral Society. https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/11410056.keighley-orchestra-attracted-big-names/
Over the decades it developed a strong reputation as a leading community orchestra in West Yorkshire, performing regularly across the region and collaborating with prominent soloists and choirs.
In 1982, the orchestra adopted its present name to reflect its wider geographical identity within Airedale. Since then it has continued to grow in stature, marking milestones such as its centenary in 1998 with major performances and tours, and maintaining a tradition of presenting both core classical repertoire and new works.
Today, the orchestra remains a vibrant part of the local cultural scene, rehearsing in Baildon and performing frequently in venues such as King’s Hall in Ilkley. We performed at the opening ceremony for the UK Bradford City of Culture 2025. The piece, Bradford Sunrise (Rise!) was composed by our conductor, Ben Crick. This event drew crowds of over 10,000 people to the Mirror Pool to kick off the year-long City of Culture festivities.
Over the decades it developed a strong reputation as a leading community orchestra in West Yorkshire, performing regularly across the region and collaborating with prominent soloists and choirs.
In 1982, the orchestra adopted its present name to reflect its wider geographical identity within Airedale. Since then it has continued to grow in stature, marking milestones such as its centenary in 1998 with major performances and tours, and maintaining a tradition of presenting both core classical repertoire and new works.
Today, the orchestra remains a vibrant part of the local cultural scene, rehearsing in Baildon and performing frequently in venues such as King’s Hall in Ilkley. We performed at the opening ceremony for the UK Bradford City of Culture 2025. The piece, Bradford Sunrise (Rise!) was composed by our conductor, Ben Crick. This event drew crowds of over 10,000 people to the Mirror Pool to kick off the year-long City of Culture festivities.
Recent Seasons
2025-26
November 2025 | King's Hall, Ilkley
- Britten: Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
- Errollyn Wallen: Mighty River
- Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5
- Conductor: Ben Crick [Previous A...rt details | Excel]
December 2025 | St George's Hall, Bradford
- Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn: The Nutcracker Suite
- Prokofiev: Troika
- Polar Express
- Leroy Anderson: Sleigh Ride
- Great Yorkshire Chorus collaboration
- Conductor: Ben Crick [Previous A...rt details | Excel]
March 2026 | King's Hall, Ilkley
- Jennifer Higdon: All Things Majestic
- Korngold: Violin Concerto
- Dvořák: Symphony No. 7
- Soloist: David Greed
- Conductor: Ben Crick [Previous A...rt details | Excel]
2024-25
November 2024
- Wagner: The Flying Dutchman Overture
- Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 4
- Sibelius: Symphony No. 2
- Soloist: William Green
- Conductor: Ben Crick [Previous A...rt details | Excel]
March 2025
- Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral"
- Ben Crick: Soundscapes
- Conductor: Ben Crick [Previous A...rt details | Excel]
June 2025
- Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet
- Anna Clyne: Dance
- Bernstein: Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
- Soloist: Adam Cathcart
- Conductor: Ben Crick [Previous A...rt details | Excel]
2023-24
March 2024
- Rossini: William Tell Overture
- Márquez: Conga del Fuego Nuevo
- Jennings: Killer on the Road
- Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 "From the New World"
- Conductor: Ben Crick [Previous A...rt details | Excel]
June 2024
- Shostakovich: Festival Overture
- Grieg: Peer Gynt Suite No. 1
- Mahler: Symphony No. 5
- Conductor: Ben Crick
Milestones
1998
- Performed Beethoven's Symphony No. 9
- World premiere period featuring Kinghorn's Airedale Variation
- Mahler Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection"
2008
- Leeds Town Hall performance of The Armed Man with Leeds Philharmonic Society
2011
- Carmina Burana at Leeds Town Hall
2013
- World premiere of Kinghorn's Bassoon Concerto
2023
- Appointment of conductor Ben Crick
