About Us

Bristol Ensemble – The Orchestra for the West of England

Bristol Ensemble is a dynamic collective of specialist musicians dedicated to delivering the highest calibre of performance to a wide range of audiences. Founded in 1994 by violinist and Music Director Roger Huckle, the ensemble has been at the forefront of musical life in Bristol and the Southwest for over three decades.

 

Versatility is one of Bristol Ensemble’s greatest strengths. Its repertoire spans from 17th-century music, performed on original instruments, to cutting-edge contemporary composition and experimental music. The ensemble maintains a vibrant schedule of concerts across Bristol and the West of England, alongside its regular concert series in Henleaze and Nailsworth, and as the resident orchestra with If Opera in Bradford-on-Avon.

“Bristol is fortunate to have such a fine orchestra as this”

Bristol Live

Since its foundation, Bristol Ensemble has collaborated with many of the world’s finest performers, including Nicola Benedetti, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Freddy Kempf, Peter Donohoe, Andrei Gavrilov, Chloë Hanslip, Matthew Barley, Alan Schiller, Willard White, Emma Kirkby, James Bowman, Andy Sheppard, Wayne Marshall, Lesley Garrett, Emma Johnson, Natalia Lomeiko, and Gabriel Prokofiev.

Equally at home in the recording studio, Bristol Ensemble has contributed to numerous soundtracks for film and television, including award-winning productions for the BBC (Life in Cold Blood), Aardman Animations (Star Wars Vision – I Am Your Mother, Robin Robin), and Channel 4 (Any Human Heart).

Bristol Ensemble is deeply committed to its charitable work within Bristol and the wider community. Its Preludes Music initiative provides transformative musical experiences to more than 4,000 children each year and partners with local charities to present fundraising concerts and events.

As the orchestra for the West of England, Bristol Ensemble remains at the heart of the region’s musical life, delivering musical excellence, inspiring audiences, and shaping the future of classical music in the region through its innovative approach to performance and education.

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 
Founder & Music Director
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

Simon Cook MBE
Trustee

Penny Rawlings
Trustee

Jan Swann
Trustee

Jenny Hemming
Trustee