About the Orchestra
The Port Sunlight Orchestra is based at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight. Regular Monday evening rehearsals are held in the Lyceum Building during a season extending from September to the end of April. With origins in the last decade of the 19th century (initially as the Port Sunlight Band) the PSO is one of the village's oldest institutions.
Regular rehearsals began in 1899 and the Orchestra first played in public in 1900, accompanying a performance of Handel's Messiah. Rehearsals were suspended during the 1914-1918 war but resumed soon afterwards. The Orchestra played at the formal opening of the Lady Lever Art Gallery (by Princess Beatrice) on December 16th 1922. The tradition of Sunday afternoon concerts in the Gallery established soon afterwards has been maintained virtually ever since.
The Orchestra's traditional repertoire of light classical music reflects its origins: the Lady Lever Gallery was originally conceived not just to house Sir William Lever's art collection and as a memorial to his wife, but as a place for the people of Port Sunlight to meet and find enjoyment - the activities there even included dancing until the practical problems inherent in juxtaposing works of art and a vibrating dance-floor led to its being disallowed. Since 1998, under its present conductor Eric Jennings, formerly principal trombone in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra has broadened its scope to include more of the classical repertoire proper, without losing sight of its traditional role in providing musical entertainment.
The Orchestra has about 35 core members and a sufficient number of associates to assist at concerts and make a wide repertoire possible. Four concerts at the Gallery with one or two external engagements constitute a typical season. Though proud of its association with Port Sunlight as part of the Lever heritage, the PSO today draws its members from all over and even outside the Wirral.
