'EVERY seat in the house sold out in advance. There was a returns waiting list of those still hoping to attend this eagerly anticipated concert.' Read the full review in the Ilkley Gazette here.

'Shakespeare’s immortal love story shows that life is a storm of contradictions - grief and joy, violence, peace and eventual healing. A philosophy embodied in Anna Clyne’s “Dance” composed in 2019. This is a concerto in all but name, for solo cello and large orchestra.' Our own Adam Cathcart was truly amazing playing with such emotion and grace. Everyone was buzzing about this new piece.

'Leonard Bernstein famously transports Romeo and Juliet to New York ..... in the 1950s. The Symphonic Dances from West Side Story condense the story into just 25 minutes of breathtakingly brilliant orchestration. Ben Crick and the ASO wondrously captured the kaleidoscopic colours and above all, the infectious crackling energy in Bernstein’s Latin jazz infused music.'

We all loved the Mambo! Some of us had even taken dance lessons to really get into the spirit!

'After ecstatic applause from a capacity house, what better way to end a stunning evening than with the vibrant, storming Conga del Fuego by Mexican composer Arturo Marquez.' Played by our own amazing trumpeter Shannon.