Third Orchestra reforms after three-year hiatus

The Third Orchestra will reform this week after a three-year hiatus. The inclusive orchestra’s rebirth will be celebrated with a concert inspired by the poetry of black American poet Ursula Rucker and T. S Eliot's Little Gidding.

Based in London, which is home to one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world, the orchestra reflects the city’s demographic, with 50% of its members being Black, Asian and ethnically diverse. The orchestra aims to ‘dissolve boundaries between cultures and build acoustic bridges between style and genre.’

Members are also balanced in terms of gender and across generations with members ranging from 20-72 years of age. It was one of the first organisations to sign PRS for Music’s Keychange Initiative.

Orchestra founder Peter Wiegold said: ‘All of the musicians want to take the work to more people, to play with them, to converse with them... Above all, in these challenging times, we all want people to feel the joy and passion of music-making. Knowing it can transport us, and how it can deepen our souls, our humanity, our common humanity.’

The orchestra has evolved from the work of Club Inégales. Following its creation by composer, music director and performer Peter Wiegold and the late John Cumming, the orchestra made its debut with a Barbican centre residency in February 2019. Its relaunch on Thursday (5 May), will take place in London’s Grand Junction with a broad variety of instruments including Syrian oud and Chinese erhu.

Alongside this concert the orchestra has also launched The Third Orchestra Foundation, to support the growth of the orchestra and promote its values, projects and partnerships across the globe. Crowdfunding for the foundation’s launch recently surpassed £15,000.

You can find out more about the Third Orchestra here.

You can find more information about the orchestra’s relaunch concert here.