Milton Keynes City Orchestra is the only professional orchestra in Milton Keynes. The Orchestra gave its first performance under the baton of Founder Conductor Hilary Davan Wetton in 1975. Since then, it has built a national reputation, establishing itself as the live classical music resource for Milton Keynes and surrounding areas. It plays an important part in the cultural life of the city, engaging with the education sector, the business community and as a valuable arts resource. The Orchestra presents an annual concert season with a series of concerts at Milton Keynes Theatre. This season’s highlights include: “Last Night” – a programme featuring some of the iconic works associated with flag waving and promenading, Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture & Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance; and programmes featuring Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony & Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, all under the baton of Principal Conductor Sian Edwards. The Orchestra has also launched “Chamber Roots”, a new series of small orchestra concerts, at Stantonbury Campus Theatre, featuring Yamaha soloists and chamber works. Members of the Orchestra regularly work within the community enabling people of all ages and experiences to participate in music making though practical workshops, composition projects, family and schools concerts and other creative projects. The Orchestra frequently collaborates with the Danesborough Chorus and Milton Keynes Chorale; and smaller ensembles regularly perform throughout the city.