sinfonia ViVA

About the Orchestra

ViVA was founded in 1982. As a national Orchestra based in the East Midlands, it is recognised for its enlightened and imaginative approach to music making on stage and in the community - making live orchestral music accessible to all.

ViVA has an integrated approach to concert giving, outreach and audience development work, performing in a wide range of venues from established concert halls to leisure centres. The Orchestra participates regularly in the main concert series of the region and has a busy schedule of outdoor summer concerts. Smaller chamber groups from within the Orchestra provide access to classical music for communities in more rural areas. ViVA’s diverse education and outreach programme often includes new works 'devised' by local people working with specialist composers and ViVA musicians.

ViVA is first and foremost a classical chamber orchestra that has evolved into a music-making Company of quality, diversity and energy with four distinct strands of activity:

• sinfonia ViVA: performing music from over four hundred years as well as newly commissioned works for chamber orchestra
• chamber ViVA: music-making in combinations from duos to octets
• education ViVA: working in, with and for the community
• work ViVA: addressing management and training issues in the workplace through music

ViVA has toured to Ireland (including performing as part of the Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture programme) and Berlin, has broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and has been part of a project for Granada Television. In addition, ViVA made its London debut in May 2009 as part of an Indian music festival in London's Kings Place, building on its partnership with top Indian classical violinist Kala Ramnath. The Orchestra also appears on the latest Gorillaz album Plastic Beach.

André de Ridder has been ViVA's Principal Conductor since 2007 and continues to lead the Orchestra with his dynamic and eye-catching programmes combining the familiar with the new.

ViVA has been participating in one of only five national Department for Education Music Partnership Projects, working in the Daventry area of Northampton.

The 2010-11 season will see the first fruits of Anna Meredith's position as Composer in the House, a scheme supported by Royal Philharmonic Society and PRS for Music Foundation.

In February 2011, the Orchestra will be the host for the Association of British Orchestras' national conference in Derby.

2008/09 Financial Statements

sinfonia ViVA receives funding from Arts Council England and Derby City Council. Composer in the House is a Royal Philharmonic Society and PRS for Music Foundation initiative.

Feedback on any ViVA event is welcome – see the Contacts page for our postal address, emil and phone details, or use the Feedback form here on our website.

Viva Chamber Orchestra Ltd is a company limited by guarantee registered in England  No.1879552
Registered address: 22-26 Nottingham Road, Stapleford, Nottingham
Registered Charity No.291046. VAT No.385367024