New Preston Symphony Orchestra celebrates official launch

PXL_20240312_122920411.jpg.jpg

The New Preston Symphony Orchestra has officially launched. 

A strategic corporate partnership with Porsche Centre Preston and a successful online crowdfunding campaign have combined to trigger the orchestra's foundation.

The official launch bridges a gap of over fifty years since the Lancashire city’s last orchestral ensemble disbanded in the 1960s. The new Preston Symphony Orchestra has already recruited over 40 classical musicians and has started rehearsing every week in Longton. 

Orchestra leaders hope to reveal the date for their inaugural concert within weeks. Once advanced negotiations with a local venue are finalised, the concert could happen as soon as this summer. The event promises to be a significant addition to Preston's cultural calendar, offering a new platform for Prestonians to rediscover classical music with community engagement in the city's heart.

Until this point, Preston was the only major city in the UK without an orchestra, a fact that the new orchestra is proud to overturn. Alexander Roe MBE, Preston Symphony Orchestra marketing and publicity manager, said: “It’s incredible that fifty years have passed without a Preston-based orchestra. That means that two generations have never known an orchestra based in the city! That’s why we're so thrilled to bring this community celebration of classical music back after such a long hiatus.

"The launch of the Preston Symphony Orchestra is a dream realised for many of us. It's not just about the music; it's about reviving Preston's cultural heartbeat and inspiring future generations.

Enthusiastic support in the online crowdfunding campaign has invigorated The formation of the orchestra. The leaders hope the launch will rekindle a new love for classical music in the city and beyond.

The collaboration with Porsche Centre Preston underlines the potential for corporate partnerships to foster cultural and artistic development. It also illustrates a successful model of mutual support between the arts and the business sector.

Amy Lancaster-Hall, marketing manager at Porsche Centre Preston, said: "When we heard that Preston was the only UK city without an orchestra, we couldn't believe it. We knew we had to do something to help. Supporting the arts is important to us. The orchestra represents innovation, excellence, and passion - values we share at Porsche. We are proud to participate in this historic new cultural chapter for Preston."

Porsche Centre Preston already has a strong interest in supporting local arts. Last year, the ‘Porsche Centre Preston 911 Creative Challenge’ invited entrants to submit entries inspired by the Porsche 911. The competition was open to local amateur artists of all ages and organised as part of a larger celebration marking the Porsche 911's 60th Anniversary.  The competition received entries from a wide variety of artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, video, and photography. 

Enjoyed this? Read more from Bowker Motor Group

Latest news

1

Breck to start £15m Blackpool affordable homes and retail development Cropper Road, Blackpool

Breck to start £15m Blackpool affordable homes and retail development

14 Oct 2025

2

New help for Blackpool businesses to access growth money John Fallon speaking at the meeting

New help for Blackpool businesses to access growth money

14 Oct 2025

3

Fuuse raises further £6m as it heads to profitability COO Nik Southworth, CEO Michael Gibson, CFO Sonia Davies.

Fuuse raises further £6m as it heads to profitability

13 Oct 2025

4

Preferred developer named for strategic site Barnfield named as preferred developer for site

Preferred developer named for strategic site

13 Oct 2025

5

Warden completes hospital improvement work Warden Hospital

Warden completes hospital improvement work

13 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Chamber Business Lunch – October
LBV Hub Networking
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Chamber Business Lunch – October

Lancaster Golf Club, Lancaster, LA2 0AJ

11:00 - 13:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin