The English Schools’ Orchestra returns to Cadogan Hall for its 28th Annual Concert. This year the Orchestra is led by guest conductor, Lewis Gaston. Lewis works as a conductor both in the UK and abroad, and has been recognised in International competitions and masterclasses.

Lewis has chosen this year’s entirely British programme to mark the coronation year of King Charles III.

The concert opens with Walton’s energetic Crown Imperial march which was composed for the coronation of King George VI in 1937 and more recently performed at the wedding of Prince William in 2011.

The Orchestra then performs Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem, written in 1940 for the celebration of 2,600 years of the Japanese Empire. Rejected by the Japanese government because of its sacred theme, the Sinfonia has become a popular British concert favourite.

The second half features one of Elgar’s most celebrated works – his First Symphony in A flat major.