HISTORY

The Orchestra was founded in 1982 and throughout its history Con Phillips has been the Musical Director and arranger of most of the orchestra's music.

We have played host to accordion orchestras from Germany and fronted a hospitality evening for a visiting choir from Finland. During our tour of Holland in August 2001 the Orchestra were invited to perform at the "Rotterdam 2001 Cultural Captial of Europe" celebrations.

Some of the prestigious venues that the Orchestra have played at have included:
The Symphony Hall, Birmingham
The International Centre, Bournemouth
The Arts Centre, Jersey
City Hall, Cardiff
National Assembly for Wales, Cardiff
The Grand Theatre, Swansea
St David's Hall, Cardiff
Brangwyn Hall, Swansea
Schouwburgplein, Rotterdam
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.

Our appearances have included anything from opening a motorway underpass with the world famous Morriston Orpheus Choir, to helping Joan Collins raise money for brain-injured children.

The Orchestra were voted "Team of the Week" by Classic FM Radio Station in recognition of the hundreds of thousands of pounds that we have helped to raise over the years for both local and national charities.

In 2005 we played in Ilfracombe and Exeter, helping to raise funds for two cancer charities and in 2008 we played at the Kingsbridge Music Festival.

Keyboard players and pianists, who would like to learn the accordion are most welcome to try one of the Orchestra's accordions or come along to our Wednesday evening practices in Hafod, Swansea. In 1998 we were fortunate enough to receive a grant from the Arts Council of Wales Lottery Unit to buy a range of accordions, so there is no need to buy one - simply try one!

We also welcome other instrumentalists.