Since its inception the Society had used an orchestra to accompany its choral concerts. Named leaders of the Orchestra are known from 1899. Originally the orchestra itself comprised a mixed local ensemble of good amateurs ‘stiffened’ with professionals sought for the particular concert to provide a competent band.
In the 1930s during Sir Hamilton Harty’s period as Conductor his own associated orchestras (particularly the Hallé) were used and the local forces disbanded to the dismay of those so affected. In 1941 it was attempted to reform the local players into a more permanent orchestra that would rehearse weekly. Concurrently the suggestion of forming a junior training branch was raised. Thus, from the 1941-42 season the Society could boast of its own two orchestras. Members of which were by subscription members of the Society.
Non-choral concerts by the two orchestras followed alongside the choral concerts accompanied by The Harmonic Orchestra. A separate orchestral conductor was appointed to undertake the instrumental rehearsals and concerts staged by both orchestras whilst the Society’s Conductor handled the choral presentations. Some concerts from 1949 onwards were rarely accompanied by visiting London and provincial civic orchestras; amongst those were the London Philharmonic and (City of) Birmingham Symphony.
From the 1970s, the Society was invited by the City Council and/or the County Council to participate in concerts as part of their concert season including the Nottingham Festival concerts. Orchestras included the CBSO, RPO, and the LSO. Often these concerts during May and June extended the Society’s usual end to the choral season in March.
Junior Harmonic Orchestra, Nottingham Albert Hall, 1955
The Junior Harmonic Orchestra (JHO) had its own concert season which extended well beyond the Harmonic Society Choral and Orchestral concert seasons. The JHO’s conductor was generally a local man; indeed, Percival Leeds was at the helm from 1946 to 1976. An upcoming young local conductor, Nicholas McGegan, acted 1976-79 as the JHO conductor (assisting John Moore) and the Harmonic Orchestra rehearsal conductor. He has gone on to be an international conductor of early classical music in particular.
However, the writing was on the wall by the mid-1970s. Audience expectations of even higher standards of performance and the competition from visiting national orchestras giving concerts in Nottingham brought the closure of both the Harmonic Orchestra in 1976 and Junior Harmonic Orchestra in 1979. The JHO found it could not compete with the Nottinghamshire Schools of Music which became the main draw for young players. The New Harmonic Orchestra was established each year 1976-1979 on a professional basis and except for one or two players were not members of the Society.
From 1979 onwards the Harmonic Society Choir has engaged professional orchestras particularly the Orchestra da Camera; on several occasions the Director of Music has assembled a small orchestra of professional players to accompany the choir, notably for concerts in Southwell Minster.
