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.

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.

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