Todmorden has a long musical tradition with both vocal and instrumental societies, on record,from 1815. In 1869 the Todmorden Harmonic society, and Musical Union amalgamated to form the Todmorden Musical Society. Concerts were given in various halls and churches until Todmorden Town Hall was built and opened in 1875. For one of the oldest pictures of the orchestra, click here.
1915 Todmorden Orchestra and Choral Society formed separately but since then have given regular concerts together.
Over the years, in times of difficulty, there have always been individual members and local benefactors who have helped to keep the orchestra out of the red. More “recently” Drs John, and his son Northage, de Ville Mather, both past presidents, gave enormous support to the orchestra and several individuals, lending them instruments and in some cases, giving them their 1st lessons to start them off on their life long playing enjoyment/ future profession. Some of these became well loved local players, some even of international renown!
Notable Conductors: F.Leach for nearly 30 years, Ben Horsfall,1962-1986, violinist in the Halle. He transformed the orchestra's playing and its repertoire, and was noted for his helpful tips, amusing tales and witty repartee. He also led smaller groups, light and chamber, to support charities etc. He was made an honorary citizen of Todmorden in 1985. Jack Bednall, choir master of the choral society from 1972, took over for a year after Ben's death. Jack continued to conduct all performances of the Messiah, and was the orchestra's president until his death in 2000. He was a man of wide human experience, musicianship and great warmth. He and Ben were able to cement a really good relationship between the two societies which has continued to the present time. Laurence Killian energised the orchestra with his flare and enthusiasm from 1987-91.
More recently a series of young conductors from RNCM and Manchester University have brought their own fine musicianship and rigour, which has greatly enhanced, and extended the standard of playing, and repertoire. Thanks especially to Garry Walker, Jeremy Carnall, and lastly Chris Swaffer 2000-06 who took us well beyond our own expectations with increasingly challenging works culminating in his last gala concert of Beethoven's 9th, Choral Symphony, and Shostakovich's 1st Symphony, which he had planned for the following year, which was so ably taken over by our present conductor Nick Concannon Hodges in 2006.