Aurora Orchestra

Aurora creates vibrant musical adventures that share a passion for orchestral music with the broadest possible audience. Whether on the concert platform, in the classroom, in a nightclub, or online, we combine world-class performance with innovative presentation and cross-art form collaboration to create powerful new ways of experiencing and participating in music. Since its launch in 2005, Aurora has pioneered a new brand of ‘Orchestral Theatre’ – collaborative orchestral performance infused with elements of staging, movement, theatrical lighting, design and storytelling. As part of this approach we have presented whole symphonies entirely from memory, as the first orchestra in history to stage concerts in this way. This unique practice has unlocked a range of theatrical, interactive and educational experiences for audiences of all ages, engaging a demonstrably broader audience than is typical for classical music, and sparking a new orchestral performance movement across Europe. Based in London as Resident Orchestra at Southbank Centre and Resident Ensemble at Kings Place, we have developed a national footprint through our touring, broadcast and education programmes. We are committed to improving opportunities in our local communities for children to express their creativity, and have forged partnerships with local authorities and music education hubs in Camden, Islington and Westminser to deliver high-quality arts-based learning for children in EYFS, KS1 and SEND settings, as well as CPD for teachers. More recently we have built on this work in schools to develop our boldest project to date – a new learning programme designed to support music teaching in classrooms nationally. Through our trailblazing Orchestral Theatre work we also play a talent development role, redefining the possibilities of orchestral performance for a new generation of players and providing unique CPD opportunities across multiple art forms for our freelance instrumentalists.