A conductor is preparing to raise his baton for a final performance with a Cumbrian orchestra.
On June 25 music director Leon Reimer will conduct the City of Carlisle Orchestra for the last time.
Leon, who has been with the orchestra for seven years, is moving to Copenhagen to be closer to his family and pursue his career in Denmark.
He said: “When I originally took the role of music director and conductor with the City of Carlisle Orchestra, I envisaged staying for a year and never imagined that would turn into seven.
“It’s been a hugely rewarding experience and I believe we’ve learned a great deal from each other. I shall miss working with the musicians in Carlisle and the enthusiastic, loyal audiences we have attracted, but I know they will be as welcoming to their new conductor as they were to me, and I wish them all the very best and a successful season.”
Leon has facilitated the relaunching of the orchestra’s connections with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the process by which he came to Carlisle, and details are currently being finalised to contract another Master of Music Conducting student to take up the baton.
The new conductor will be the fourth to come to Carlisle following in the footsteps of Leon, Ryan Bancroft and Hannah Quinn.
The concert starts at 7.30pm and will be held in St John’s Church, London Road, Carlisle.
The programme features a tribute to Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee with The Three Elizabeths Suite by Eric Coates, followed by local composer Phillip Wood’s Cumbrian Dances while the final work in the performance is Cesar Franck’s Symphony in D Minor.
Tickets are £8 in advance from members of the orchestra or Bookcase in Castle Street, Carlisle, or £10 on the door. Under 18s are free.
For more information on the City of Carlisle Orchestra, visit www.cityofcarlisleorchestra.co.uk
