Sinfonia Viva

04/09/2026

“What felicity it is to hear a tune again which has made one happy!” It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen loved music, in fact, she owned a library of more than 600 different songs and piano pieces. Today, Sophie Rosa, Ian Buckle and Olivier Award-winning actor Juliet Stevenson (Emma; Truly, Madly Deeply) invite you to a musical evening at home with the Austens.

Hear the melodies that enlivened Jane’s world: the dances she enjoyed, the sonatas that delighted Regency society and the pieces that she played at home herself. And savour her own thoughts and feelings, with readings from her candid and gloriously witty correspondence with her beloved sister Cassandra.

Like Austen’s own novels, the atmosphere is friendly but the unspoken emotions embrace whole worlds. Expect both sense and sensibility as music by Beethoven, Mozart, Bach and Cramer (some familiar, some rediscovered) is interwoven with the words and private confessions of this most beloved – and brilliant – of English novelists. As Austen herself put it, “Accomplishments, such as they are, should be cultivated, not as the means of distinguishing oneself, but as the means of making oneself agreeable.” That is our only wish tonight, and we would be delighted to have your company. May we request the pleasure..?

Sophie Rosa | Violin
Ian Buckle | Piano
Programme includes music by Weber, Beethoven, Cramer and J. S. Bach

Tuesday 13 October 2026, 2pm
Museum of Making
https://www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk/event/the-music-of-jane-austen/



Derby Museums

19/08/2026

We're on the look out for new Board members.

Established in 1982, Sinfonia Viva is the only professional orchestra in the East Midlands - an area including six counties and covering 6,500 square miles. From our administrative base in Derby, we have a national reach through our concerts and creative community projects, across in person performances and projects, and digital delivery. Innovation, creativity, participation, and collaboration are hallmarks of the Orchestra’s work, driven by our overarching aim to enable as many people as possible to engage with orchestral music.

Deadline to apply: 5pm Monday 21 September

If you would like to arrange a time for a conversation above the role, or have any additional questions about the
organisation or recruitment process, please contact [email protected]

Find out more: https://www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk/who-we-are/work-with-us/trustees-recruitment/

14/08/2026

Welcome to Sinfonia Viva’s new concert season. This year features beloved orchestral and chamber music classics alongside lesser-known gems by Vivaldi, Finzi and Mozart’s contemporary Antonio Salieri.

We will be welcoming internationally renowned artists throughout the year, including accordionist Miloš Milivojević, soprano Jessica Cale, violinist Michael Foyle, and BAFTA-nominated actor Juliet Stevenson CBE (in a Jane Austen-themed programme).

Sinfonia Viva’s own exceptional musicians will be celebrated across the year. Leader, Sophie Rosa, will perform concertos by Bach, Vivaldi, and Mozart, while Principal Clarinet, Matt Dunn, takes centre stage in works by Finzi and Mozart.

From our Handel & Bach concert under Luke Jerram’s installation Helios (a seven-metre replica of the sun) to a weekend of extraordinary musical performances to celebrate Derby Cathedral’s 100th Anniversary, this season brings you some of the most amazing music in fantastic venues.

Find out more at https://www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk/whats-on/

We can’t wait to share these performances with you.



Arts Council England Derby Cathedral

28/07/2026

Don't miss an unforgettable evening of orchestral music and film favourites in the heart of Darley Park, Derby.

We're again the orchestra for the The Darley Park Concert, an opportunity for family and friends to come together for an unforgettable evening of music and light. This year’s programme will feature music from dramatic films and magical musicals, including Apollo 13 and Beauty and the Beast, alongside firm classical favourites by Mozart and Tchaikovsky.

Perfect for all ages, it's one of Derby's favourite family-friendly events, all building to the spectacular pyrotechnic display that lights up the night sky. ✨
Don't miss this much-loved summer tradition – book your tickets today! 👉

Sunday 23 August 2026 | Gates will open at 4pm and the concert starts at 6pm.
https://www.derbylive.co.uk/whats-on/the-darley-park-concert-2026/

Derby LIVE

One of the highlights of Derby's summer is the Darley Park Concert - a spectacular evening of classical music and fireworks.

27/07/2026

We really enjoyed Leap Year in Lincoln yesterday. We all had a wonderful time exploring classical music with the children who came along.

We loved having a chat with some of the families after the event. They said to us, "It was amazing. I felt lots of emotions during the performance. I liked hearing the different instruments being played."

Leap Year will be at Derby's Museum of Making this Wednesday (29 July) for another playful family concert packed with beautiful music, big imaginations and plenty of laughs, so come along!

Wednesday 29 July 2026
1.30pm & 3.30pm
Museum of Making

Book your tickets today: https://www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk/event/leap-year-at-derby-museum-of-making/



Derby Museums MishMash Productions Arts Council England Fantastic for Families

22/07/2026

Just ONE WEEK to go!

Leap Year is nearly here!

Join us for a summer holiday adventure full of live music, playful storytelling and magical moments for the whole family.

Aimed at children aged 5–11 and their grown-ups, Leap Year is where music, mischief and imagination come together.

Wednesday 29 July 2026
1.30pm & 3.30pm
Museum of Making

Book your tickets:
https://www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk/event/leap-year-at-derby-museum-of-making/

We can’t wait to welcome you!



Derby Museums MishMash Productions Arts Council England Fantastic for Families

18/07/2026

A family musical adventure is heading your way!

Leap Year arrives at Derby’s Museum of Making on Wednesday 29 July!

Travel through the months of the year in a world of music, mischief and imagination. From snowy January moments to summer sunshine, every chapter brings new characters, playful surprises and unforgettable sounds.

Families tell us Leap Year is a wonderful way to introduce children to classical music with a relaxed atmosphere and a performance everyone can enjoy together.

Two performances available:
1.30pm & 3.30pm
Museum of Making

Book here:https://www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk/event/leap-year-at-derby-museum-of-making/

Recommended for children aged 5–11



Derby Museums MishMash Productions Arts Council England Fantastic for Families MishMash Productions Arts Council England Fantastic for FamiliesDerby Museums

11/07/2026

Since our exciting On The Move workshops back in the spring term, our creative music lead James Redwood has been busy turning the children’s original songs into some incredible arrangements ready for our final concert!

We’ve also had two brand new songs from Hazel Gould commissioned especially for the performance, along with some inventive arrangements of classical works linked to our project theme of transport and travel. The children have been practising hard and we’re almost ready to go!

On Wednesday 15th July we’ll be joined by participating schools and a five-piece ensemble from Sinfonia Viva, as we premiere these new works and present a fun-filled concert for all the family! Tickets are free if you’d like to join us and there’s still time to get involved: Just visit our website to book. Hope to see you there!

https://www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk/event/on-the-move/



Rolls-Royce plc Derby City Council East Midlands Railway Derby Cathedral Music Derby Museums

08/07/2026

Something magical is coming to the Museum of Making…

Leap Year is a fun, friendly and unforgettable introduction to live music. It's full of stories, laughter, imagination and moments to join in!
Meet our brilliant musicians: Sophie on violin, Matt on clarinet and Gareth on bassoon, as they bring this musical adventure to life.

Wednesday 29 July 2026
Choose from 1.30pm or 3.30pm
Museum of Making

Come for the music… and make time to explore the museum too!

Book now: https://www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk/event/leap-year-at-derby-museum-of-making/



Derby Museums MishMash Productions Arts Council England Fantastic for Families

07/07/2026

In March, our amazing On The Move participants worked with creative music leader James Redwood, double bassist Dave Ayre, and clarinettists Helen Blamey and Matt Dunn to create their own original songs forIn March, our amazing On The Move participants worked with creative music leader James Redwood, double bassist Dave Ayre, and clarinettists Helen Blamey and Matt Dunn to create their own original songs forDerby Museums the project!

Oakwood Junior School invited us to ‘Fly With Me’, taking inspiration from their aeronautical workshops with Rolls Royce. They conquered their fears of flying and were feeling “fearless, excited and brave” enough for an amazing performance to the rest of their year group in their final session!

Firs used their trip with East Midlands Railway as a focus, and set off on a ‘Train Adventure’! Throughout the song we meet the conductor, who “helps you travel with ease”, and the dispatcher, “the keeper of the rules” at the station; we also have an insight from “the coolest invention is history”, the train itself! We were also delighted to welcome Mrs Moore and Mrs Blurton, Firs’ resident clarinettists, into the ensemble, and we’ll look forward to hearing them play in the final concert too!

https://www.sinfoniaviva.co.uk/event/on-the-move/



Rolls-Royce plc Derby City Council East Midlands Railway Derby Cathedral Music Derby Museums