NCWO is a community symphonic wind orchestra based in Warrington. The membership of around 45 players is drawn from throughout the north west of England. Whilst a number of members make their living from music, the group is essentially non-professional.

• To further the enjoyment of wind band music for members and the general public by performing regular concerts. The music performed at concerts should balance the preferences of members with the musical tastes of the public, whilst giving prominence to original compositions for wind band.

• To further musical education and appreciation within the local community including schools and youth groups.

• To recruit keen wind players and percussionists from the community and from further afield.

• To maintain and improve the playing and musicianship of members, and to perform wind band music to a high standard.

• To encourage the composition of original works for wind band through the commissions fund.

The NCWO has developed to the point where it is now regarded as one of the finest ensembles of its type in the UK. In April 2006 the NCWO was honoured to give the European premiere of Daron Hagen’s opera Bandanna, along with soloists from the RNCM and the Manchester Chamber Choir, in the presence of the composer.

We are affiliated to the British Association of Symphonic Wind Bands and Ensembles (BASBWE) and play a prominent part in its activities This has included performances at the annual International Wind Festival at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester in 1999 and 2002, and regular success in the National Concert Band Festival at both regional and national level, including consecutive Gold Awards at the 2004 and 2005 National finals. The NCWO is also a member of Making Music – the National Federation of Music Societies.

In November 2002 the orchestra performed at the opening celebrations for Pyramid, Warrington’s new arts centre. The concert included the premiere of a new work commissioned for the occasion by the Irish composer, Fergal Carroll. In October 2003 the NCWO launched a concert season at Pyramid which has established a regular base for the orchestra.

Other performances are given at a wide range of venues, and successful tours of Belgium took place in 2001 and 2003 and Ireland in 2004.

A wide range of music is performed by the group, although there is a particular commitment to music written for the modern wind orchestra in the past 30 years. The organisation is now noted for its adventurous programming and has taken part in several commissioning projects. You can read more about these on the Commissioning page.

This interest in commissioning and performing new music was an important factor in the decision of the Arts Council of England in May 2000 to award the NCWO over £21,000 of National Lottery funding towards the purchase of new instruments.

The NCWO is extremely grateful to Arts Council England and the Cultural Development Service of Warrington Borough Council for their financial support.