Founded as part of the Waddell School of Music over 140 years ago, The Waddell Orchestra is delighted to host a special Fundraising Gala Concert on Saturday 26th March at St. Vincent’s Chapel EH3 6SW, to which all are warmly invited. An evening of wonderful music making from many of Edinburgh’s most talented young string players is guaranteed.
The concert will feature both the Waddell Junior Orchestra and the Waddell Senior Orchestra in an exciting programme of music from both the orchestral and solo string repertoire. There will be music by Corelli, Kabalevsky, Vivaldi, Walton and Warlock amongst others. A special highlight of the evening will be a performance of Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in G Major with violinist Tamás Fejes (Assistant Leader of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra) as soloist.
Tamás Fejes
The Waddell Orchestra was originally part of the Waddell School of Music – founded by eminent Edinburgh violinist Mr. William Waddell, who himself studied in Leipzig under the legendary violinist Ferdinand David of Mendelssohn Violin Concerto fame. The Waddell School of Music was first housed at 137 Princes Street long before McDonalds moved in and initially it ran a 50-strong choir known as The Waddell Choir. Within a few years William Waddell had opened his Violin School and the first orchestra – known as “The Edinburgh Ladies Orchestra” – was formed.
William Waddell had two daughters, Mary (Maimie) Waddell and Ruth Waddell who went on to study violin and singing (Maimie) and piano and cello (Ruth) at the Royal College of Music, London, in 1908. On their return to Edinburgh, Maimie and Ruth assisted their father as teachers in the Waddell School, and in due course the sisters took over the running of the school themselves. Maimie died in 1967 and Ruth went into partnership with Winifred (Winnie) Gavine and Katherine (Kitty) Gregorson, running the school almost until her own death in 1980.
The running of the orchestra – including the Junior Orchestra originally founded in 1926 – was taken over by Kitty Gregorson, Mary Williamson and Edna Arthur followed by Paddy Murray and Alison Rushworth until 2016. Since then, the Waddell Orchestra has been striving to preserve its incredible legacy under new leadership.
The Orchestras rehearses weekly and present four orchestral concerts each year, alongside chamber music recitals and participation in the Edinburgh Competition Festival. Many of Scotland’s leading musicians have worked with the orchestras – providing the young players the opportunity to learn from many of Scotland’s foremost professional players. Recent guest tutors include Tamás Fejes (Assistant Leader, Royal Scottish National Orchestra), Mark Bailey (Principal Cellist, Scottish Ballet), Angus Ramsay (Principal Violin, The Orchestra of Scottish Opera), Jane Atkins (former Principal Viola, Scottish Chamber Orchestra) and Justine Watts (Leader, Scottish Ballet).
In the Summer of 2021, The Waddell Orchestra held a highly successful series of Strings Summer Schools for children of all ages and abilities; working with guest professionals in orchestral playing, chamber music and solo masterclasses.
Our soloist for the evening, violinist Támas Fejes was born in Szeged, Hungary. At the age of 10 he won second prize in the Janoz Koncz National Violin Competition. He studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest and while there he gave numerous recitals and was invited to make several appearances on radio and television. A scholarship enabled him to continue his studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Tamás has led and co-led various orchestras in Europe whilst continuing to perform recitals, concertos and chamber music in the UK, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, USA and Hungary. For almost ten years he was co-principal for the Philharmonia Orchestra in London and is currently Assistant Leader of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Recent performances include the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in Belgium and recitals of the complete works of Brahms for Violin and Piano and solo works for violin including Ysaye, Bartok and Bach. In 2006 Tamas founded the Fejes Quartet with whom he performs across Europe. They released their debut CD in 2011 and in 2014 they recorded Christopher Wright’s Four String Quartets for the Nimbus record label, released later that year to critical acclaim. His repertoire includes all the major violin concertos from Baroque to 20th Century and at the end of 2016 he recorded Bach’s complete Sonatas and Partitas for unaccompanied violin, released under Discovery Music and Vision label. Tamás launched the CD in two performances at the RSNO Centre to great critical acclaim.
This upcoming Fundraising Gala Concert aims to raise vital funds to ensure the future of the Waddell Orchestra for hopefully another 140 years whilst honouring the incredible legacy of Mr. William Waddell, whose musical vision for Edinburgh’s young string players continues to this day. There will be interval refreshments, home baking and a raffle with a range of fantastic prizes to be won.
Tickets are priced at £10.00 for Adults and £8.00 for Children (under 16yo). Please note that tickets must be purchased in advance by emailing waddellorchestra@gmail.com – there will be no tickets available to purchase “on the door”. Starting at 7.30pm (with doors opening no earlier than 7.15pm), this concert will be presented in complete compliance with all Scottish Government Covid-19 guidance and regulations – providing audience members with peace of mind that they are in a safe environment.
Waddell Orchestra Fundraising Gala Concert
Saturday 26th March 2022 – 7.30pm
St. Vincent’s Chapel – EH3 6SW
Tickets: Adults £10.00 / Children (under 16yo) £8.00
Advance booking only via: waddellorchestra@gmail.com
