It’ll be a family affair when Gwent Chamber Orchestra celebrates 50 years of music making with an anniversary concert at Brecon Cathedral on Saturday, June 14 at 7:30pm.

When composer and pianist Huw Watkins MBE takes his seat to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No 19, amongst the players will be his father and founder member, John Watkins.

Conducting and leading the orchestra will be husband and wife Stephen Broom and Julia Watkins. Julia was also a founder member of the orchestra whilst at school in Brynmawr.

A graduate of the Royal College of Music, Huw Watkins has been a regular soloist with the orchestra since his schooldays in Blackwood. He’s much in demand as a performer with prestigious orchestras including Manchester’s Hallé, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and London Sinfonietta. As a composer his works have been performed at the BBC Proms.

Both Stephen Broom and Julia Watkins played for the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and went on to pursue successful professional careers in London.

For more than 20 years, Stephen was the Principal Viola at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and Julia was a freelance violinist playing with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Royal Opera House amongst many others.

Gwent Chamber Orchestra was founded in 1975 by David Gedge, then the Director of Music at Brecon Cathedral, initially to support the Brecon Cathedral Singers and Choir.It is made up of professional, semi-professional and talented amateur players and now plays music from the chamber music repertoire across south Powys and north Gwent.

Gwent Chamber Orchestra rehearsing for a lunchtime concert at Brecon Cathedral in July 2022
Gwent Chamber Orchestra rehearsing for a lunchtime concert at Brecon Cathedral in July 2022 (.)

Alongside Mozart’s Piano Concerto no 19 in F major k459, the programme will include music played at the orchestra’s first concert on 21 June 1975: Elgar’s Serenade for Strings and Schubert’s Symphony no 5 in B flat major.

Stephen Broom said: “As the venue of the orchestra’s first ever concert, Brecon Cathedral is GCO’s spiritual home.

“Almost 50 years on from that inaugural performance it’s fitting that we’re returning to the place where it all began to play some of the same music.

“We’re also delighted that the talented friend of the orchestra Huw Watkins is able to join us for our golden anniversary celebrations.

“The fact that the concert will also be a family affair makes it extra special.”

Tickets for the event will cost £15 on the door.