Gifford Ensemble

Gifford Ensemble Formed in 2019, a friendly small orchestra in Stoke Gifford, Bristol. Rehearsals Sunday evenings. We look forward to meeting you!

The Gifford Ensemble began in 2019, when local residents of Stoke Gifford, realising there was no local orchestra for the Stokes area, decided they’d better start one. The group gave its first informal concert in 2019 to an appreciative audience of friends and neighbours. The Ensemble is currently a small group, but our ambition is to grow into a full orchestra. We are looking for players of grade

6 or equivalent standard, particularly strings. If you’re interested, please get in touch and come for a trial rehearsal – it’s a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere with an emphasis on enjoying the music! Rehearsals are at 7.15pm on Sunday nights in the Trust Hall, North Road, Stoke Gifford. Members pay £4 per rehearsal to cover venue hire costs – but we hope to reduce that as our membership grows. Note: All of The Gifford Ensemble's policy documents, including the Constitution and Privacy Policy, can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rw0Kl450pPPdImYkKWDk-kpO_iqmjEcJ?usp=drive_link

We are currently looking for violins🎻 and a clarinettist to join our ensemble 🎼We are a friendly group that rehearse Sun...
13/07/2026

We are currently looking for violins🎻 and a clarinettist to join our ensemble 🎼
We are a friendly group that rehearse Sunday evenings 7.15-.8.45 during term time and would love to welcome new members.
Please get in touch via [email protected]

(Picture with my no 1 fan) Welcome to another of our getting to know our Gifford Ensemble members.1. What instrument do ...
20/01/2026

(Picture with my no 1 fan)
Welcome to another of our getting to know our Gifford Ensemble members.

1. What instrument do you play in the Gifford Ensemble?

My name is Janine and I play the violin in Gifford Ensemble. I am also the leader and look after the social media page.

2. How old were you when you started playing it?

I started playing the violin when I was 10 years old and was very fortunate that I received free instrumental lessons at school through Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council.

3. Can you share one of your best musical memories

The main one on the violin has to be being part of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales during their 60th Anniversary in 2006. We played at the Welsh proms at St David’s Hall in Cardiff with Julian Lloyd Weber as the soloist, it was really special.

The best musical memory for me personally was getting to conduct 300 primary school children at the Colston Hall (now Bristol Beacon) in 2016. It is probably the most nervous I have ever been, mostly because if messed it up I would have never lived in down in school! I could feel my legs shaking just walking to the front but then when I started to bring the band in and then the children successfully with ‘I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony’ it was a truly magical moment.

4. Do you have a particularly funny musical memory?

In my final year of Uni, I was the leader of the orchestra so you got to do the whole walk on without anyone else, receive applause, bow and sit down etc. Well unlucky for me I got injured in a football match a couple of months before (don’t ask!) so was on crutches awaiting ACL knee reconstruction. My knee would give way from under me at any given moment hence the need for crutches, but I was determined I wasn’t going to do the walk with crutches so decided to do it alone. I started my walk but then realised it was a lot longer to the chair then I thought and could feel my knee wanting to give way so I basically did a ridiculous half walk/half run very awkwardly until I finally made it to my chair. Even though there were some raised eyebrows, I did not fall flat on my face, so was worth it!

14/01/2026

Open Rehearsal: Experience the Power of Bach with Bristol Choral Society

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to stand in the heart of a massive choir, surrounded by powerful harmonies? Now is your chance. Bristol Choral Society invites singers of all voice parts to a special Open Rehearsal at the historic Council Chamber in City Hall.

We will be diving into the dramatic intensity of Bach’s St John Passion, performed in its original German. This is more than just a practice session; it is an opportunity to receive expert vocal tuition from our acclaimed musical director, Hilary Campbell, and to feel the undeniable joy and energy that only a large-scale choral setting can provide.

Whether you are a seasoned singer or looking to return to the choral world, come and lift your voice with us in one of Bristol’s most grand settings.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, 21 January 2026

Time: 7.15pm – 9.30pm

Location: Council Chamber, City Hall, College Green, Bristol

Entry: Completely free and no need to book—just turn up at 7pm to grab a score and a seat ready to start at 7.15pm

It has been a while since the last one but welcome to our getting to know our Gifford Ensemble members post.1. What...
08/01/2026

It has been a while since the last one but welcome to our getting to know our Gifford Ensemble members post.

1. What instrument do you play in the Gifford Ensemble?

My Name is Zena and I play the Clarinet (Bb and A) in the Gifford Ensemble. I am also on the Committee as joint secretary for the group.

2. How old were you when you started playing it?

I was 11 years Old when I started to play the clarinet (properly) had been taking piano lessons before that. Bristol City Council provided free music tuition in secondary schools...The years I used to sneak into my big brother's room when he was out and try to get a note out on his clarinet don't count. Mum used to be on watch for his return. Shush - Don't tell him!!!
I also play Alto & Soprano Sax, piano and recently taken up the flute. Used to play the drums and steel pan too and still known to sing from time to time.

3. Can you share one of your best musical memories?

I auditioned and successfully became a member of the Avon Schools Symphonic Wind band (ASSWB) and had the privilege to play at the Epcot Centre - Disneyland Florida during our 2 week American Tour - I was around 16 or 17 years old at the time.

4. Do you have a particularly funny musical memory?

My school was lucky to have our annual Christmas Concerts at the Colston Hall. As a leaving 6th former, the performance piece I chose was Flight of the Bumblebee by Rimsky-Korsakov. The concert hall was sold out, and I had clocked my family in the audience waiting for my solo. It's safe to say I got so excited the adrenalin took over and I played that piece faster than I ever did in rehearsal! Unfortunately, to the disbelief of my head of music who was on piano accompaniment and she was not happy!
When I got the end, she gave me such a look (and I won't tell you what she whispered to me)... I just burst out laughing on stage!

Thank you to everyone who supported us this afternoon at our concert, we had a lovely time performing for you. We hope y...
14/12/2025

Thank you to everyone who supported us this afternoon at our concert, we had a lovely time performing for you.
We hope you are now ready for Christmas ☺️
It was lovely to see Claire Hazelgrove MP again this year.
Have a great Christmas Everyone 🎼

🎼Looking forward to our feel good Christmas Concert next Sunday. Everyone welcome 🎻
06/12/2025

🎼Looking forward to our feel good Christmas Concert next Sunday. Everyone welcome 🎻

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