NSO
A Christmas Cracker
10th December, 2023 • 3pm • Spinney Theatre
Join us for our annual Christmas Cracker as we explore fantastical worlds and tales. Hear compere David Birch tells the stories of The Gruffalo and Sugar Plum on the Run alongside music from film favourites of Mary Poppins and Frozen. Enjoy a mince pie and mulled wine and hear many of your festive favourites!
About us
Founded in 1893, the Northampton Symphony Orchestra is widely regarded as one of the United Kingdom's top amateur symphony orchestras. Our membership is drawn from excellent amateurs, teachers, former professional musicians and students in and around Northamptonshire. Most members have achieved at least Grade VIII on their instrument.
We perform regularly in Northampton's many classical music venues with top professional soloists in repertoire that encompasses all styles of classical music. Rehearsals usually take place on a Wednesday evening during school term time.
We are supported by an active and flourishing Friends' scheme that provides many exclusive benefits for supporters.
The Northampton Symphony Orchestra's excellence in amateur music making has led to invitations to play in various local music festivals (such as the one celebrating local composer, Malcolm Arnold and the Northampton Music Festival) and collaborations with other local music ensembles.
Concerts
Sunday, Dec 10
Spinney Theatre
Join us for our annual Christmas Cracker as we explore fantastical worlds and tales. Hear compere David Birch tells the stories of The Gruffalo and Sugar Plum on the Run alongside music from film favourites of Mary Poppins and Frozen. Enjoy a mince pie and mulled wine and hear many of your festive favourites!
Saturday, Mar 02
Christ Church
Bernstein, Symphonic Dances from West Side Story • Prokofiev, Violin Concerto No. 2 • Bax, Symphony No. 1
Saturday, May 11
St. Matthew's Church
Elgar, Froissart Overture • Grieg, Piano Concerto • Laura Rossi, Jailhouse Graffiti • Brahms, Symphony No. 4
Saturday, Jun 29
St. Matthew's Church
Borodin, Prince Igor Overture • Beach, Piano Concerto • Bruckner, Symphony No. 7
Explore this season

Leonard Bernstein
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
2nd March 2024
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Rococo Variations & Eugene Onegin Polonaise
14th October 2023
Jean Sibelius
Symphony No. 1
14th October 2023
Amy Beach
Piano Concerto
29th June 2024
Arnold Bax
Symphony No. 1
2nd March 2024
Malcolm Arnold's
Rinaldo and Armida
14th October 2023
Johannes Brahms
Symphony No. 4
11th May 2024
Anton Bruckner
Symphony No. 7
29th June 2024
The Gruffalo
Narrated by David Birch, with music by Philip Mackenzie
10th December 2023
Friends of NSO
It is said you can’t buy friendship, but you can buy exclusive membership to the NSO Friends’ Scheme. Why not pay for a friend to become a Friend? It’s a great gift to give.
For a minimum donation of £25 a year, you can become a Friend of the orchestra. There are a number of exclusive benefits available through the Friends’ scheme, and your contribution plays an important part in funding our concerts and securing the orchestra’s future. As a Friend, you will receive:
- Two free tickets to the Friends’ concert and buffet
- A discount on all concert tickets
- Priority booking
- Regular NSO newsletters about forthcoming concerts
- A free programme each concert
- Your name printed in our programmes
A heart-felt thank you goes to