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Created by Lichfield based violinist, Alexander Laing, DECO aims to fill a gap in the provision of accessible classical music in the area. Our debut concert is on January 31st (details further down the page).

Lichfield, of course has its hugely successful festival each July, but outside festival time, there are few opportunities to hear top flight professional musicians performing popular orchestral music in the area.��

So, one of the aims of DECO is to bring the standard of classical music enjoyed by festival goers to a wider audience, including people who have not experienced live classical music before.��
One of the main target groups is schoolchildren and other youngsters - with school groups being offered the chance to attend the pre-concert rehearsal for free to see an orchestra at work.��
To stay fresh and interesting classical music needs young people to take an interest in it and play it.�� We really hope that with children’s tickets for the actual performance being only £5, many young people will take the opportunity to come along (and bring their parents too!).��

Flexible playing

DECO will evolve into different combinations of players for different concerts.���� For example, seven members of DECO performed at a Baroque Classics evening in November (2008); and DECO will be “strings only” for the performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at the second concert on 2nd May 2009.��

But more than just flexibility, meaning that a wide range of music can be produced, we have been working on two aspects which we hope will make the orchestra a vital part of Lichfield's cultural life. We already feel very committed to the city, even naming ourselves after one of its most famous sons, Erasmus Darwin. First, because DECO is made up of a vibrant blend of gifted young professional musicians at the start of their careers (alongside established players), concert-goers will hear an exciting fusion of musical talents.

Secondly, DECO’s home and base is Lichfield Cathedral which, as well as having excellent acoustics, is an inspiring venue in which to hear classical music.��

The buzz around DECO has already attracted big names in the classical music world – so much so that Simon Blendis, who leads the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the acclaimed Schubert Ensemble, has consented to be a guest soloist with us.

Full orchestra

For the debut concert, at 7.30pm on Saturday 31st January 2009 in Lichfield Cathedral, the programme will be Mozart’s Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, Mozart’s Violin Concerto No 3, and Beethoven’s Symphony No 1.��
Simon Blendis, who leads the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the acclaimed Schubert Ensemble, is the guest soloist for Mozart’s violin concerto.������

Tickets are £15 adults, £12 concessions (students and OAPs) and just £5 for children.�� Available from deco@darwinensemble.co.uk

Come along - you'll be at the beginning of something big!