Welcome to FORTISMERE PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Fortismere MUSIC Centre
Join in with Orchestra
Fortismere Community Symphony orchestra brings players of all ages together to create high-calibre music in a friendly and collaborative environment. The orchestra includes students, parents and teachers from Fortismere School, as well as members of the wider community of musicians in North London. We focus on large-scale works, as well as playing with well-renowned soloists from around the world. We suggest a minimum level of Grade 7 or some ensemble experience for string players.
We rehearse 7 - 9 pm on Tuesdays in Fortismere School. For term dates, see the Rehearsal page.
Rehearsals for our next concert on Sunday, 15th June starts on Tuesday, 25th March. We are inviting new string players and percussionists to join us for this fabulous programme. Contact fmcinfo@fortismere.org.uk if interested.
OUR NEXT CONCERT is on Sunday, 15 June at 7:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Church, N10 2DD.
Programme:
Music from Star Wars, ET & Superman
J Strauss II: The Blue Danube (2001: A Space Odyssey)
Mars and Venus from Holst’s The Planets
R Strauss: Horn Concerto No. 1
Past Concerts
Thomas Gregory
Community Symphony Orchestra Musical Director
Thomas Gregory is a cellist, conductor and composer who has been teaching and working in Haringey for over two decades. He is a prolific composer of educational material, with hundreds of compositions and arrangements accommodating a broad range of levels and instrumental combinations. He is best known for Vamoosh, an extensive series of tutor books for young instrumentalists, that has reached as far as China and Australia. He was formerly Head of Strings for Haringey Music Service where he still directs ensembles, and is currently cello tutor and ensemble coach at the Centre for Young Musicians at Morley College. Thomas performs regularly as soloist, ensemble and orchestral cellist. Though born in Denmark, Thomas grew up near Archway in North London. He studied the cello at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the University of Michigan.
Alexander Casson
Leader
Alex has gained considerable experience in recent years as a soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. After graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2016, he received a full scholarship for a two year Artist’s Diploma at Michigan State University, where he studied with Dr Walter Verdehr. In 2020 Alexander received his Masters in Violin Performance from the Royal Academy of Music, where he was taught by Jack Liebeck.
Highlights during Alexander’s studies have included being awarded the Bridgewood and Nietzert string quartet prize (2015) and learning from international artists such as the Emerson String Quartet, and the Fidelio Piano Trio. Most recently he was a member of the Southbank Sinfonia’s 2022–2023 Orchestral Fellowship.