Chiswick students join ‘admirable’ orchestra for concert

St Peter’s Church at Acton Green will host a ‘veritable forest of strings’ this March as 80 musicians gather for a world premiere of new contemporary music.

The Nonesuch Orchestra, described by former Master of the King’s Music Dame Judith Weir as ‘admirable’, is bringing its 2026 Side-by-Side Project to Chiswick. The concert on Sunday 8th March will showcase the results of workshops held with talented young musicians from Chiswick School, West London Free School, and Twyford CofE Academies.

The highlight of the evening is the world premiere of ‘There was a tree’, a new suite for double string orchestra commissioned from composer Tim Watts.

The performance is unique for its ‘Side-by-Side’ format, where students play alongside professional musicians. The programme will also feature:

• Original works composed by students from Chiswick School, Twyford CofE High School and Park High School (Stanmore)
• ‘Strum’ (2012) by acclaimed American composer Jessie Montgomery.

The concert is part of the CoMA (Contemporary Music for All) Festival 2026 and is designed to be family-friendly, lasting approximately 75 minutes. Admission is free, with a retiring collection to support the orchestra’s educational work in London schools.

Nonesuch Orchestra Concert: ‘There was a tree’Sunday 8th March, 5:00pm (Doors open 4:30pm for tea and cake)St Peter’s ChurchActon GreenSouthfield Road, Chiswick (W4 1BB)https://www.nonesuchorchestra.org.uk/concerts