THE Middlewich Concert Orchestra celebrates its 20th anniversary next year and they are now preparing for the next concert in under two weeks.

Sitting in on the rehearsal was a fascinating experience as I was able to see first-hand the talent of each individual musician and the amount of organisation that goes into a concert like this.

The group practices once a week in the Middlewich Methodist Church and they are currently preparing to bring the music of Vienna to the town on Saturday, December 1.

One thing that was abundantly clear to me was the level of respect that the musicians hold for the conductor, Edwina Wolstencroft.

Edwina featured in the Women’s Power Hour top 40 list of women having an impact on the music industry.

Edwina, ranked at 27, is in the list with esteemed company such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, SIA and Nadine Shah.

Edwina, editor and diversity lead at BBC Radio 3, said: “We have a planning committee which selects the music and orders it.

“My role as conductor is to convey the intentions of the piece with my hand gestures.”

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Edwina took over the role of conductor from the president of the orchestra, David Thomas, 74.

David is one of two professional bassoon players in the orchestra and it has been a part of his life for almost 20 years.

David spoke to The Guardian about how an advert in the newspaper was the start of the Middlewich Concert Orchestra.

David said: “The orchestra started in September 1999 when a lady called Linda Youd thought that Middlewich needed an orchestra, so she put something in the newspaper trying to arrange a meeting.

“The first meeting of the orchestra was more like a strings quartet. I think there was only about six people who showed up.

“We did manage to find some smaller pieces that were appropriate and over a few months the orchestra gradually started to grow.

“Our first performance was the mayor’s annual dinner in early 2000 and we only had 10 members at the time.

“We did have a conductor at first but shortly before our first concert he realised he had other commitments.

“I had a little bit of experience in conducting and we could not rearrange the mayor’s dinner so I decided to do it.

“I stayed as the conductor for 11 years as the orchestra started to flourish.

“During this time we did occasionally bring in guest conductors so I could play.”

David is experienced in orchestral music and has been a part of orchestras and taught music globally.

David said: “I was professional musician in the 60s in Ireland playing in an orchestra there and after that I moved to New Zealand and taught music there in different schools.

“I was there for about five years before moving back to Cheshire in the 70s.”

Tickets for the performance are on sale now. For adults it is £8, for seniors it is £7 and students tickets are £5.

There is also the option by a family ticket for two adults and two children under the age of 18 for £17.

Tickets are available on the door or by emailing secretary@middlewichconcertorchestra.org.uk.

The event is free for under 12s.