Willoughby Symphony Orchestra’s (WSO) 2025 season approaches – featuring nine concerts encompassing classical masterpieces, heart-stopping film presentations, and festive celebration.
Whether you’re up for a bit of Beethoven, want to spend ‘A Night At The Oscars’, or you’re a big Disney fan, there’s something for everyone.
The subscription series begins with Beethoven’s ‘Triple’ concerto, performed by Estivo Trio. WSO will navigate exciting landscapes along the Moldau river, as legendary flautist Jane Rutter joins the orchestra for a stunning version of Vaughan Williams’ ‘Lark Ascending’.
In line with WSO’s mission to make music accessible to all, the 2025 offering has something for even those who aren’t huge fans of classical music – ‘A Night At The Oscars’ is the perfect way to celebrate iconic film scores from Hollywood blockbusters.
Check out our piece on the 2025 programme.
All in all, it’s a programme with a love of the art of music at its very centre, helmed by Artistic Director Nicholas Milton – who also picks up the baton as conductor for a handful of the productions throughout the year.
Here, WSO’s Artistic Director Nicholas Milton tells us more about what we can expect in 2025.
What’s coming up in 2025?
A fantastic season of concerts. Highlights include what will surely be a mind-boggling performance of Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, with the famous 'Ode To Joy' Finale – the most popular work of the classical repertoire. But also some real treats are in store for our public. A performance of Mahler’s First Symphony, and terrific world-class soloists. I am particularly excited about Jonathon Ramsay performing with us: he’ll play the trombone concerto of Nino Rota, more famous as the composer of the music for 'The Godfather' film franchise. Jonathon is a local boy who last year became the principal trombone of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra – an unbelievable incredible achievement. I am also so thrilled that my wife Rosa Donata Milton will be joining me again for a film music gala concert.
What sorts of things do you look for when you’re putting a season together?
Programmes that will excite and astound visitors with the glorious sonority of a symphonic orchestra. The programmes have the broadest possible spectrum of styles, but every concert is similar in that the performance will take the listener on a boundless, amazing adventure, a discovery tour that is always surprising, exciting, and at every concert there are different aspects to admire and to wonder about.
What’s the biggest challenge in doing it?
The biggest challenge is simply selecting works across a season that tell a story. A story with music styles ranging from Mozart through to contemporary, soloists of various backgrounds performing repertoire that demonstrates the dedication that our musicians have devoted to their craft. . .
There will be five subscription concerts. Tell us a bit about those and who they’re for.
In addition to our special gala concerts ('An Evening At The Oscars' and 'The Spirit Of Christmas'), the five subscription concerts feature extraordinary symphonic and choral music. The music in these five concerts features so many wonderful vistas – and the concerts are really designed for everyone. People who have been attending symphonic concerts all their lives will be challenged and delighted, the repertoire they hear will be familiar and not so familiar. But all of it, performed by our magnificent orchestra and choir – will be enjoyable and revelatory. And equally, audiences who have NEVER attended a concert will surely be, I would say, even more delighted. Symphonic music is for everyone. It can be enjoyed by the mind, the heart and the soul, and it is a universal language that speaks to us all.
One of the events this year sees an iconic animated film coming to life through music! What can you tell us about this?
These film events are highlights of the year, and 'The Lion King' will be a must-see event. Hearing the music performed live to the film is unlike any cinema experience you’ll ever have! It’s so much richer and more exciting. In addition to 'The Lion King', we will perform film music in what will surely be a sell out concert, 'An Evening At The Oscars'. So, these two performances will really bring cinematic glory to the Concert Hall.
What do you love most about what you do?
Being on stage with the fantastic musicians of the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra, sharing our love of music with audiences that are just as committed and passionate about our orchestra and our special music-making as we all are. I have been with the orchestra since my youth, and it remains one of the profoundest joys and privileges of my life working with this organisation.
And what are you hoping audiences take from the 2025 offering?
To have their hearts opened and their souls enriched by incredible music performed by an orchestra that plays with unique engagement, enthusiasm, and brilliance, in concert presentations that are fun and relaxed in a concert hall that is amazing!
How would you summarise it, in three words?
Inspirational, thrilling, extraordinary!
The 2025 Willoughby Symphony Orchestra season begins with ‘Beethoven Triple’ in February.
