Events

Grand Union's priority is live performance, and over the last 25 years we have toured all over the UK and to many parts of the world.

Upcoming shows

Returning after an extended winter break, the Grand Union Orchestra’s first major project is What the River Sings, a special event for the BBC's 2012 celebration Music Nation.

What the River Sings – Grand Union Orchestra and Youth Orchestra with Water City Festival Orchestra, Hackney Voices, Hackney Empire Community Choir

Sunday March 4th, 4.00pm

Trinity Buoy Wharf, Orchard Place, London London E14 0JY

Tickets £10, £5 concessions (on general sale from February 12th 2012)

Spectacular show featuring East London performers celebrating 500 years of trade and migration in a historic location.

Autumn highlights

Our autumn schedule was built around two high-profile shows by the Grand Union Orchestra and the release of a new CD of If Paradise. Some very enthusiastic reviews have been appearing – for If Paradise at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, 11.11.11 at the Hackney Empire and for the CD. They were complemented by two events featuring the Grand Union Youth Orchestra – a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street and the début of Grand Union: The Second Generation – and a brand new project at the Vortex. These projects are still in the repertoire, and new shows will be announced over the next few months.

If Paradise - Grand Union Orchestra

Sunday 25th September, 7.30pm

Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX

Tickets £20, £15, £10 - buy tickets online or call 0844 875 0073

Revival of classic Grand Union Orchestra show, launching a new CD. Reviews of the original tour from the Guardian and All About Jazz. Listen to tracks from the show The Perfumes of Paradise Blues and Collateral Damage, and view video excerpts.

Grand Union Youth Orchestra

Sunday 2nd October, 1.00pm

Wilton’s Music Hall, Grace’s Alley, London E1 8JB

www.battleofcablestreet.org.uk | 020 7375 0441

Commemorating the 75th anniversary of this historic East London event.

11.11.11 – Grand Union Orchestra and guests

Friday 11th November, 7.30pm

Hackney Empire Theatre, 291 Mare Street, London E8 1EJ

www.hackneyempire.co.uk | 020 8985 2424

The music of the liberated and the most liberated of musics – celebrating jazz and the art of improvisation on Armistice Day.

Grand Union Orchestra

Friday 2nd December, 8:30pm

Vortex Jazz Club, 11 Gillett Square, London N16 8AZ

www.vortexjazz.co.uk | 020 7254 4097

Tickets £12

Launching a brand new project bringing together improvising musicians from many different traditions world-wide.

Human Rights in Migration: Differing Perspectives

Thursday 8th December, 6:00pm

Oxford House, Bethnal Green

Event information in Facebook

Grand Union Orchestra are pleased to have been invited Praxis to perform at their upcoming event "Human Rights in Migration: Differing Perspectives".

Grand Union Second Generation Band

Sunday 11th December, 7.30pm

Rich Mix Centre, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA

www.richmix.org.uk | 020 7613 7498

Senior members of the Grand Union Youth Orchestra make their début in a new band, creating a new wave of cross-cultural music-making.

Current shows

For full details of our available shows, the latest line-up of the Grand Union Orchestra and our current Learning and Participation programme, go to press and bookings.

Grand Union main image Quote from The Scotsman

Latest news

We’re back!

Grand Union Orchestra part of BBC/2012 Festival Music Nation programme - first date of spring programme announced.

Praise for 11.11.11 at the Hackney Empire

Read appreciative review in JazzWise magazine and watch this space for more news and reviews.

If Paradise CD Online

You can now buy If Paradise and other GUO recordings online with all major credit and debit cards.

Shows currently available

Grand Union shows produced since January form the backbone of our programme for 2012.

On-line composition masterclass

Tony Haynes starts a new blog talking about his music, with practical tips for musicians.

Supported by the Arts Council England