About Us
Bristol Ensemble – The Orchestra for the West of England
Since its foundation in 1994, by violinist and Chief Executive Roger Huckle, the Bristol Ensemble has been at the forefront of musical life in Bristol and the Southwest.
Versatility is one of Bristol Ensemble’s greatest attributes. Bristol Ensemble is a collective of specialists that collaborate to provide the highest calibre of performance for a wide range of audiences.
From the music of the 17th century, performed on original instruments, through to contemporary composition and experimental music, the ensemble has a busy schedule of concerts in Bristol and the West of England, in addition to its regular concert series in Henleaze and Nailsworth. It is also the resident orchestra with If Opera in Bradford-on-Avon
“Bristol is fortunate to have such a fine orchestra as this”
Bristol Live
Over the past quarter of a century, Bristol Ensemble has presented countless world-class performances and has collaborated with many of the finest international performers.
Notable partnerships have included Nicola Benedetti, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Freddy Kempf, Peter Donohoe, Andrei Gavrilov, Chloë Hanslip, Matthew Barley, Alan Schiller, Willard White, Emma Kirkby, James Bowman, Andy Shephard, Wayne Marshall, Leslie Garrett, Emma Johnson, Natalia Lomeiko and Gabriel Prokofiev.
Bristol Ensemble Session Orchestra
Orchestral Recording Sessions for Film, TV, Video Game and Live Concerts.
Bristol Ensemble Contemporary
Making exciting contemporary music more accessible.
Bristol Ensemble Baroque
Period instrument orchestra exploring the repertoire of 17th and 18th century composers.
Bristol Ensemble Choral
Creating a thrilling atmosphere for your choral event.
Equally at home in the recording studio as well as the concert hall, Bristol Ensemble has had a long-standing relationship with the BBC Natural History Unit, providing numerous soundtracks such as the David Attenborough series Life in Cold Blood, along with countless commercial engagements. Recent recordings include music for award-winning productions such as Aardman Animations Star Wars Vision (I Am Your Mother), Channel 4’s Any Human Heart, and the 2021 Aardman Animation film Robin Robin.
Bristol Ensemble is committed to its charitable work within Bristol and the wider community. It regularly works with local charities presenting fundraising concerts and events, and its Preludes Music team works tirelessly delivering musical opportunities to more than 3000 children each year.
MEET THE PLAYERS
WE’RE ON A MISSION
Preludes Music, the education arm of the Bristol Ensemble, works in areas of Bristol that are experiencing high levels of economic disadvantage and aims to put music at the heart of every child’s education. By doing so we improve confidence, co-ordination, speech and language and benefit all other areas of their learning.
Management
Roger Huckle
Chief Executive
roger.huckle@bristolensemble.com
Simon Kodurand
Artistic Director
simon.kodurand@bristolensemble.com
Judith Ogden
Publicity Manager
publicity@bristolensemble.com
Kat Kleve
Digital Marketing Manager
marketing@bristolensemble.com
Penny Rawlings
Preludes Music Creative Director
penny.rawlings@preludesmusic.com
Charlotte Dunling
Preludes Music Project Manager
charlotte.dunling@preludesmusic.com
Molly Zoeller
Development Coordinator
development@bristolensemble.com
BOARD
Charles Wyld
Chair of Trustees
Andrew Gustar
Treasurer
Danielle Radice
Trustee
Sonja Nisson
Trustee
Professor Mark Tooley
Trustee
Simon Cook MBE
Trustee
Penny Rawlings
Trustee