About this event

Middlesbrough Open Orchestra and Thursday Orchestra present ‘Past, Present and Future’

Expect original compositions and group favourites, new faces and old friends, and a night of brilliant music.

We’re delighted to have Middlesbrough Open Orchestra back performing on home soil and are excited to welcome Thursday Orchestra for their debut performance.

Middlesbrough Open Orchestra is a collaboration between Musinc, Beverley School, Priory Woods School and Tees Valley Music Hub. Students from Beverley School and Priory Woods School have weekly music sessions in school as well as coming together regularly to play as an orchestra at Middlesbrough Town Hall.

The young people play music from a wide range of genres, including classical, contemporary and pop. They particularly enjoy creating soundscapes and original compositions alongside their orchestra leader, Ben Hopkinson.
Since its inception, Middlesbrough Open Orchestra has been gaining both regional and national recognition for championing inclusive music making. The orchestra has performed at events such as Music For Youth’s Together For Music Festival 2025 in Birmingham, Music & Drama Education Expo 2023 in London, Music Mark National Conference 2022 and North East Culture Awards 2022 in Newcastle, and Middlesbrough Council Civic Awards 2021.

Thursday Orchestra is a new ensemble for Disabled and Neurodivergent young musicians aged 16-25. The orchestra is a place for experienced and aspiring young musicians to come together and make music! The group meets weekly at Middlesbrough Town Hall, and all musical instruments and abilities are welcome.

Access information

Toilets and facilities
For more details about our facilities and accessing the different spaces at Middlesbrough Town Hall please visit https://boxoffice.middlesbrough.gov.uk/middlesbrough-town-hall/your-visit-to-middlesbrough-town-hall/accessibility-at-middlesbrough-town-hall/

Pushchair policy
Due to Middlesbrough Town Hall’s fire regulation policies pushchairs, prams & car seats must be left in our dedicated ‘buggy parking’ zone on the carriageway and cannot be taken into any of the event spaces. Unfortunately, we cannot take responsibility for items left there, but we do our best to keep an eye on them.

Relaxed setting
All our family events take place in a relaxed environment, and have the following features:
– There’ll be lower volume levels throughout the event
– Our spaces have consistent lighting, with low level auditorium lights on throughout
– Our musicians and facilitators have relaxed attitude to noise and moving around the space
– A quiet, chill out space will be available should you need a break

Ear defenders
Our younger visitors can find a busy venue and loud musical activities quite overwhelming. A limited number of ear defenders are available from the Box Office – by the main entrance on Albert Road. See us as early as possible to secure a pair.