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Spa Orchestra centenary
The legendary
Scarborough Spa Orchestra is marking its centenary this summer –
and to celebrate prices have been frozen.
The season begins on Sunday 3 June and runs
for 15 weeks throughout the summer.
A Spa spokesman said: “Daily, weekly and,
particularly, season ticket deals offer amazing value. This year of
all years is the perfect time to experience this unique musical
entertainment and discover what people have been talking about for
the last 100 years.”
The Spa has been Scarborough’s home of good
music for more than 170 years, ever since the ladies and gentlemen
of high society who came to take the waters began to expect some
entertainment. For many years this was provided by local musicians
and then by brass or military bands.
It wasn’t until 1912 that the idea of a
full orchestra was born with the arrival as musical director of
Alick Maclean, fondly known as The God of Scarborough, so great was
his influence and the affection in which he was held throughout the
town.
Maclean reigned for 24 seasons, and what he
created then is still the reason for huge numbers of visitors
making Scarborough their summer destination of choice – just to
hear the Spa Orchestra play their nine different concerts every
week.
And now the Spa Orchestra has reached its
100th year, the essence of what Maclean created still
remains – a warm and friendly rapport with the audience and music
played to the highest standards of performance by skilled
professional musicians.
Programmes have changed greatly over the
years, but the core of popular classics and the very best in light
music still draws the crowds.
The centenary pattern of concerts – and
prices – will be as last year: 11am in the Sun Court Sunday to
Thursday, and 7.45pm in the Grand Hall Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday
and Thursday.
Many special events are planned throughout the season, often
as part of the Thursday night Gala programme and culminating in
Lesley Garrett’s appearance with the Spa Orchestra on Saturday 8
September.