Based in Newport, Gwent, the St Woolos Sinfonia is Orchestra in Residence at Newport Cathedral. We strive to bring the joy of orchestral and chamber music to the people of Newport and to the wider community in South Wales.

Many of our players are professional musicians, including from BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Welsh National Opera, freelancers and teachers of their instruments. We also welcome talented players from other professions to perform with us as well as undergraduate and postgraduate music students.

We are fortunate in having the gifted New Zealand conductor, Tianyi Lu, as our Principal Conductor. Read more about Tianyi and about the Orchestra in ABOUT US

Limited places still available - book now to avoid disappointment

See FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Calling all students!

We are offering tickets to our Come and Sing day on Saturday 27th April at a discounted price of £10 (with valid student ID). For more information and booking details, see FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Dr David Lloyd-Davies

It is a great sadness for us at the St Woolos Sinfonia that Dr David Lloyd-Davies died recently after a long illness. David had played the ‘cello in the orchestra in the past (photo from 2011, with David seated front row, right). He was, together with his wife Jennifer, a loyal supporter of the orchestra for many years. An ecclesiastical historian by profession, David was passionate about music all his life and would cherish every opportunity to engage in making it. His genuine kindness and dry wit will be greatly missed. Sonia Hammond, SWS Principal Cellist, played from Bach’s ‘Cello Suite No 1 at David’s funeral service - the music which he left open on his stand at home

Comments from players and singers after our uplifting performance of J.S. Bach’s cantata Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, Sunday, 10 Dec 2023, at Newport Cathedral

“It was a pleasure to take part” “Delighted with the opportunity to make great music with talented musicians” “A lovely musical event” “So fitting to be part of a service with the music you chose” “It’s been a pleasure working with you all” “It was such a lovely start to the festive season - really special” “It was a true joy to take part and feel the spirit of the season”

The orchestra was joined by the St Woolos Sinfonia Chorale, a choir of invited, experienced singers from the Cardiff/Newport area.

Who took part in the St Woolos Sinfonia Chorale?

Invited singers from: BBC National Chorus of Wales, Cantorion Ardwyn, Cantemus Chamber Choir, Cardiff Bach Choir, Llandaff Cathedral Choral Society, Sine Nomine, Welsh Camerata

For more details see PAST EVENTS

St Woolos Sinfonia Autumn Concert Saturday 11th November 2023, 7pm at Newport Cathedral.

Rising star, Emilie Godden, made her second visit to Newport to conduct the St Woolos Sinfonia, after her very successful debut concert with the strings of the orchestra in April. The all-Mozart programme featured the clarinet concerto in A Major K.622 (with SWS principal clarinet, Robert Watson, as soloist), the overture Der Schauspieldirektor and Symphony No. 36 K.425 (‘Linz’).

Emilie was recently the Leverhulme Conducting Fellow at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in association with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. She is mentored by Martyn Brabbins. Through the association with BBC SSO, Emilie has regularly assisted Chief Conductor Ryan Wigglesworth. She has also assisted Martyn Brabbins, Antony Hermus and Teresa Riveiro Bohm. As part of the Fellowship, she has taken part in masterclasses with BBC SSO, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Red Note Ensemble.

Her recent engagements include performances of Eleanor Alberga’s Nightscape featuring RCS students and members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in Glasgow and Edinburgh, the European premiere of Stephen Goss’ Concerto of Colours with guitarist Nicolas Goluses, and two concerts at the 2022 St Endellion Summer Festival in Cornwall.

Emilie has also worked as assistant conductor for Grange Park Opera, opera at St Endellion and RCS Opera.Upcoming engagements include a Radio 3 recording and a concert performance with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. As a member of the first violin section of the BBC National Orchestra of Wales since 1999, Emilie is experienced in performing a broad range of symphonic repertoire over two decades.

Thursday 5th October 2023

Our French café jazz trio set the tone for a lovely evening of French music and wine tasting led by Tom Innes of Fingal-Rock Wines, Monmouth. There was dancing in the aisles in Newport Cathedral.

Thanks to everyone who supported the event