A Note of Hope for Yorkshire Day

Ben Crick, conductor of the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra (YSO), was commissioned by Welcome to Yorkshire to write a new composition to celebrate Yorkshire Day on August 1, 2021.

At Cause UK, we were proud to sponsor this project and create a film in partnership with Gary Lawson, as well as lead on the media launch.

Clair, MD of Cause UK and special advisor to the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra, said: “We’re really excited to support the YSO as a leading cultural voice for the North after such a difficult time for the arts and musicians in the pandemic.”

Cause UK secured Alan Bennett as Patron of the YSO, and will be supporting their programming in the coming months.

An exclusive preview of the piece, ‘Yorkshire for All’ has been released for Yorkshire Day. It aims to celebrate the true diversity of the region and demonstrate that the arts, in particular classical music, is accessible and inclusive to all communities in Yorkshire.

The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra (YSO) was specifically reformed this year to support freelance northern musicians hit hard by the pandemic. It will play the piece live at The Great Yorkshire Proms at Harewood House, where the orchestra makes its debut appearance on September 4, alongside guest stars Sir Willard White and Aled Jones.

Jamie Hudson, a leading figure in the arts, social enterprise and community sector, came up with the idea of reviving the orchestra with the acclaimed Skipton musician, composer and conductor, Ben Crick.

Jamie Hudson, co-founder of the YSO, said: “It’s fantastic to work with Welcome to Yorkshire, and I’m delighted to announce its tourism chief, James Mason, will be our newest Patron of the Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra.”

James Mason joins fellow Patrons Alan Bennett and the Bard of Barnsley, Ian McMillan.

James Mason said: “Music has the power to break down barriers, bring people together, and make hearts sing. The piece is entitled, ‘Yorkshire for All’ to reflect the down to earth, open, friendly spirit of our county. We take pride in ensuring everyone who visits receives a warm Yorkshire welcome.”

Composer Ben Crick is known for performances in unusual places, and once had a chamber orchestra perform outside Sainsbury’s in Leeds Station.

Ben Crick said: “’Yorkshire for All’ is a 90 second journey taking audiences from the start of Covid to rising from the ashes, with a bit of a triumphant finish. That’s the journey our orchestra has been on. As well as blowing the trumpet literally for Yorkshire, it’s a note of hope, not just for our musicians who are desperate to get back to live performances, but for audiences, who now need the uplifting, transformative power of music.”

The Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra will perform ‘Yorkshire for All’ alongside classical favourites at The Great Yorkshire Proms on 4 September. You can then catch them again as they support Queen Symphonic on 5 September, as part of the Picnic Proms at Harewood House in Leeds.

For tickets go to https://www.vivolive.co.uk/harewood

Photo credit: Guzelian Media

Film credit: Gary Lawson