CBSO Memories

Become part of our online community through sharing your CBSO feedback and memories with us. We welcome all contributions whether they be memories from over 50 years ago or from a concert you attended last week.

If you have any memories you would like to share with us, please contact information@cbso.co.uk.

If you would like to help us provide future generations of classical music-lovers with memorable CBSO moments please click here for more information.

"Over the last forty or so years we have watched and listened to the CBSO grow and develop. It has been, and will continue to be, a huge privilege. Thank you all."
Thelma and Michael Brazier

"I've enjoyed some wonderful evenings over 50 years and particularly during the past 15 years in various parts of the world in some great opera houses watching and listening to Wagner's works. Lohengrin is a particular favourite [...] But never Mr Nelsons have I enjoyed or been so thrilled by this miraculous work as I was on Saturday evening. The orchestra and chorus played and sung as if their lives depended upon it, and were fronted by a fine cast of soloists."
Audience member following 12 June Lohengrin performance.

"All the children and staff from St Peter's had a fabulous time at the Symphony Hall! They loved singing with all the other children and were mesmerized by the Symphony Hall itself! The organisation of the day was excellent. It has been such an amazing experience for our children and has inspired many of them to audition [for the CBSO Children's Chorus]...As well as inspiring us all at St Peter's to keep singing! I am so pleased that we joined the project. The children have loved working with David [Lawrence] and all the staff have gained confidence and skills to continue singing in school."
A teacher from St Peter's RC School, following the SingUp performance on 17 May.

"Dear CBSO, I am writing to thank you for the amazing concert. My favourite part was when the four trumpeters took their jackets off and revealed their superman suits. I thought the best piece of music was the sorcerer's apprentice because it had a good story to it. Right now I am learning piano, but I would like to learn the trumpet and the violin. It was my first time i've been to Symphony Hall and I enjoyed it very much. Thank you again."
Audience member aged 8, following 16 May family concert.

Audio Clip  An audio contribution from CBSO concert-goer Anne O'Leary (pictured below).
Anne O'LearyAnne O'Leary was invited to see Puccini's La Bohème at Symphony Hall in November when a colleague organised a ticket. She had never been to a CBSO concert before and was a bit nervous about going on her own. Anne came to the concert through a colleague who is a CBSO Ambassador - where concert goers introduce new people to the CBSO.
Find out more about becoming an Ambassador for CBSO Concerts.

Bill HalesBill Hales is a Patron and this season celebrates 60 years as a subscriber.
‘It's been a thrill to see the Orchestra develop since those early days and they really are one of the tops now. None of the others compare - this is my Orchestra. In fact, nothing stops me coming to a concert. When my wife Rita was heavily pregnant, she started having pains on a Thursday afternoon. I cleared off to my concert - I can still remember the music - Richard Strauss' Don Quixote and Schubert's Ninth Symphony. Some other subscribers who sat next to me at the time couldn't believe it when I told them and said ‘what are you doing here? You should be at home looking after your wife.' To be fair, when I got home she was alright really. And our second son was born at eight o'clock the next morning. I must admit, we laugh about it now but I felt terribly guilty at the time.'