LULLABIES AND LEGENDS
2026-02-07 19:30 - 22:00 (Europe/London) | Market Harborough Methodist Church, Northampton Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9HG, United Kingdom
Step into a world of magic, mischief, and memory as the Market Harborough Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Bell, brings timeless tales to life. Humperdinck’s glorious Hansel and Gretel Overture opens the evening in true Brothers Grimm style, full of wonder — and a hint of adventure. Ravel’s shimmering Mother Goose Suite whisks us into a land of sleeping princesses and enchanted gardens, before Grainger’s jaunty Children’s March sets off on a carefree journey “over the hills and far away.” The evening closes with Prokofiev’s poignant Seventh Symphony — music born from a children’s radio play, blending innocence and nostalgia into a final chapter where the magic still lingers.
INFORMATION FOR MHO PLAYERS

Humperdinck, Engelbert- Hänsel und Gretel: Prelude <1890–1893> 3[1.2.pic] 2 2 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp+2 — str
Ravel, Maurice – Ma Mère l’Oye (Mother Goose): 5 pièces enfantines (Suite) <1908–1910> 2[1.2/pic] 2[1.2/Eh] 2 2[1/cbn.2] — 2 0 0 0 — tmp+3 — hp — cel — str
Grainger, Percy -Children’s March (Over the Hills and Far Away) <1918> 2[1.pic] 2[1.Eh] 2 2 — 4 3 3 1 — tmp+4 — hp —pf — str
Prokofiev, Serge -Symphony No.7, op.131, C-sharp minor <1951–1952> 3[1.2.pic] 3[1.2.Eh] 3[1.2.bcl] 2 — 4 3 3 1 — tmp+4 — hp — pf — str

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2026

Sunday 18 January 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Tuesday 20 January – STRINGS – Venue TBC
Sunday 25 January 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 30 January – 7.30-9.30pm WIND – Methodist Church
Sunday 01 February – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 6 February – 7.30-9.30pm – Methodist Church
Saturday 07 February – 2.00-5.00pm – CONCERT 7.30pm

SYMPHONIC STORIES
2026-07-04 19:30 - 22:00
Step into a world of vivid imagination and sweeping landscapes with the Market Harborough Orchestra’s Symphonic Stories, conducted by the charismatic Stephen Bell on Saturday 4th July 2026. From the delicate brushstrokes of Respighi’s Three Botticelli Pictures to the sun-drenched vistas of Grofé’s Mississippi Suite, each piece paints a striking musical scene. The journey culminates in Rimsky-Korsakov’s powerful Antar Symphony – a gripping tale of exile, love, and mystical transformation. Join us for an evening where music becomes myth, and every note tells a story.
INFORMATION FOR MHO PLAYERS

Ottorino Respighi – Trittico Botticelliano (Three Botticelli Pictures), P.151 <1927> -1 1 1 1 — 1 1 0 0 — 1perc — hp — cel, pf — str
Ferde Grofé – Mississippi Suite <1925> – 3[1.2.pic] 2[1.2/Eh] 2[1.2/bcl] 2[1.2] — 4 3 3 1 — tmp+3 — hp — str
Rimsky-Korsakov – Symphony No.2, op.9, F-sharp minor (Antar, Symphonic Suite) <1868–1897> – 3[1.2.3/pic] 2[1/Eh.2] 2 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp+3 — hp — str

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE 2026

Sunday 14 June – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Tuesday 16 June – 7.30 – 9.30pm – STRINGS – Congregational Church Lark Room
Sunday 21 June – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 26 June – 7.30 – 9.30pm – WIND – Methodist Church
Sunday 28 June – 1.45 – 4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 3 July- 7.30-9.30pm – Methodist Church
Saturday 4 July – 2.00 to 5.00pm, CONCERT 7.30pm

THE SYMPHONIC CINEMA
2026-10-17 19:30 - 22:00
The Symphonic Cinema launches the MHO’s new season with a thrilling celebration of film music at its very best. This programme brings some of the most iconic scores ever written to Market Harborough, performed in their full symphonic glory. From the awe and wonder of Jurassic Park and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to the unforgettable themes of Star Wars, John Williams’ music reminds us why his sound worlds have shaped generations of cinema lovers. Alongside these classics sits Bernard Herrmann’s gripping Suite from Psycho, music of extraordinary tension and atmosphere, and Joe Hisaishi’s luminous The Legend of Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke. At the heart of the concert is Shostakovich’s exuberant Suite for Variety Orchestra, brimming with colour, wit and energy, including the famous Waltz No. 2, known to many from Eyes Wide Shut. A night of drama, nostalgia and symphonic spectacle, this concert promises a powerful opening to the season.
FOR MHO PLAYERS
John Williams – Theme from “Jurassic Park” – 3(1.2.picc) 3(1.2.CA) 3(1.2.bass) 3(1.2.3/contra) 4331 Timp +3 Hrp Pno strings
Bernard Herrmann -Suite from “Psycho” (Prelude-The City – The Madhouse – The Murder – Finale) – Strings
John Williams -Music from the Star Wars Saga

Imperial March – 3(1.2.picc)2(1.2/CA) 2 2 4331 Timp +2 hrp pno/celeste strngs
Princess Leia’s Theme – 3(1.2.picc)2(1.CA) 3(1.2.bass)2 4331 Timp +2 hrp pno/celeste strngs
Across the Stars – 3(1.2.picc)3(1.2.CA)33(1.2.3/contra) 4231 Tmp+1 hrp pno Strings
Jedi Steps and Finale – 3(1.2.3/picc)3(1.2.3/CA)3(1.2.3/bass)3(1.2.3/contra) 4431 Timp +3 hrp pno/celeste strngs

Joe Hisaishi – The Legend of Ashitaka from “Princess Mononoke” 2,2,3(1.2.bass),2 – 4,3,3,1 – timp+4perc – pno,hp – strings
Dmitri Shostakovich – Suite for Variety Orchestra no. 1 – 2[1.2/pic] 1 2 1 — 3 3 3 1 — 4sx[2asx, 2tsx] — gtr, accordion — tmp+2 — hp — pf, cel/pf — str – perc: bd, cym, sus cym, sd, tri, tambn, glock, xyl, vib (note – guitar, accordion, piano, and celeste will be rationalised into 2 keyboard parts)
John Williams – Adventures on Earth from “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial” -3(3pic)2(2ca)23(3cbn)/4331/timp.3perc/hp.pf(cel)/str
2026 REHEARSALS

• Sunday 27th September, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
• Tuesday 30th September – STRINGS – Venue TBC
• Sunday 4th October, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
• Friday 9th October, 7.30–9.30pm – WIND – Methodist Church
• Sunday 11th October , 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
• Friday 16th October, 7.30–9.30pm – Methodist Church
• Saturday 17th October, 2.00–5.00pm rehearsal, CONCERT 7.30pm

CALL OF THE WILD
2027-02-06 19:30 - 22:00
Call of the Wild is a programme inspired by nature, movement and the elemental forces that shape both landscape and human imagination. Delibes’ Sylvia opens the evening with music rooted in woodland myth and pastoral colour, full of grace, energy and rhythmic vitality. Hamilton Harty’s With the Wild Geese follows, evoking the pull of migration and freedom in a work of sweeping momentum and emotional power. The concert culminates in Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony, a towering statement of Nordic symphonic writing, inspired by the natural world and crowned by the famous horn calls of its final movement, one of the most exhilarating moments in orchestral music. This is a concert of expansive sound, deep atmosphere and thrilling orchestral drive.
FOR MHO PLAYERS
Léo Delibes – Sylvia: Suite – 2[1.2/pic] 2 2 2 — 4 4[2tp, 2crt] 3 1 — tmp+3 — hp — str – perc: sd, tri, cym, bd
Hamilton Harty – With the Wild Geese – 3[1.2.3/pic] 3[1.2.Eh] 3[1.2.bcl] 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp+3 — hp — str perc: cym, sus cym, bd, sd
Jean Sibelius – Symphony No.5, op.82, E-flat major – 2 2 2 2 — 4 3 3 0 — tmp — str
REHEARSALS

Sunday 17 January 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Tuesday 19 January 2027 – STRINGS – Venue TBC
Sunday 24 January 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 29 January 2027, 7.30–9.30pm – WIND – Methodist Church
Sunday 31 January 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 5 February 2027, 7.30–9.30pm – Methodist Church
Saturday 6 February 2027, 2.00–5.00pm rehearsal, CONCERT 7.30pm

CONTINENTAL TOUR
2027-06-26 19:30 - 22:00
Join the Market Harborough Orchestra for a musical journey across Europe and beyond. Nielsen’s radiant Helios Overture opens with the blazing energy of sunrise, followed by Dvořák’s charming Czech Suite, rich with the warmth and dance rhythms of Bohemia. Soloist Jake Humphrey leads a thrilling side-trip to Armenia in Arutiunian’s celebrated Trumpet Concerto, a work of sweeping lyricism and dazzling virtuosity. The evening concludes in southern Spain with Turina’s vibrant Sinfonía sevillana, alive with colour, rhythm, and Mediterranean warmth. A vivid and uplifting celebration of Europe’s musical landscapes.
FOR MHO PLAYERS
Carl Nielsen – Helios Overture, op.17 – 3[1.2.3/pic] 2 2 2 — 4 3 3 1 — tmp — str
Antonín Dvořák – Czech Suite, op.39, B.93, D major – 2 3[1.2.Eh] 2 2 — 2 2 0 0 — tmp — str
Aleksandr Arutiunian – Trumpet Concerto – 2[1.2/pic] 2 2 2 — 4 2 3 1 — tmp+3 — hp — str perc: bd, cym, sd, tri
Joaquín Turina – Sinfonia sevillana, op.23 – 3[1.2.3/pic] 3[1.2.Eh] 3[1.2.bcl] 3[1.2.cbn] — 4 3 3 1 — tmp+2 — hp — cel — str perc: bd, cym, sus cym, tri, sd, cast, glock
REHEARSALS

Sunday 6 June 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Tuesday 8 June 2027 – STRINGS – Congregational
Sunday 13 June 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 18 June 2027, 7.30–9.30pm – WIND – Methodist Church
Sunday 20 June 2027, 1.45–4.30pm – Methodist
Friday 25 June 2027, 7.30–9.30pm – Methodist Church
Saturday 26 June 2027, 2.00–5.00pm rehearsal, CONCERT 7.30pm
