"...The idea of a "charity orchestra" put me in mind of an anodyne evening of soppy and sloppy hits. This wasn't the case. This Orchestra proved to be a fire-breathing ensemble capable of almost anything ... "
MusicOMH.com

"...The concert was crowned by a performance of The Rite of Spring that was absolutely outstanding. The rich acoustic of St John’s is ideal for the overwhelming power and sensitivity which lies within this extraordinarily original masterpiece, every element of which was admirably conveyed.
Musical Opinion (Jan 2009)

Next Concert:

Saturday May 30 2009, 7:30pm
St. John's, Smith Square, SW1


Strauss
Don Juan
Szymanowski
Violin Concerto No. 1
Shostakovich
Symphony No. 5

Alina Ibragimova - Violin
Michael Alexander Young - Conductor

Charities Philharmonia was formed in 2006 and has established itself on the London music scene as an institution with a unique mission: forming a close alliance with one UK charity producing concerts solely to raise funds and awareness for the charity. Our vision is to provide outstanding music for outstanding causes.

The concerts provide a distinctive opportunity for gifted musicians to use their skills to raise funds and awareness for the charity, and to enable audiences to take pleasure in innovative concerts whilst supporting exceptionally worthwhile causes. The orchestra consists of professional musicians and selected graduates from the London Colleges of music, directed by award winning conductor Michael Alexander Young.

For the forthcoming series of concerts, the orchestra has chosen to work with the Dreams Come True, a UK charity that makes the dreams of terminally or seriously ill children become a reality.

Charities Philharmonia has previously performed seasons of highly successful concerts in aid of Cancer Research UK (2006/7) and the NSPCC (2007/8), receiving excellent reviews and responses from both critics and audience alike. All concerts are performed at St. John's, Smith Square, renowned for one of the finest acoustics in London,

The orchestra is run solely on a not-for-profit basis and all those involved are donating their time.