The History
The Bathgate Concert Orchestra started life in 1952 under Jimmy Lawrence (organist at the
High Church, Bathgate) playing as a small group at church socials etc. As
our membership increased we became known as the Lawrence Orchestra. In
1966 our first annual concert was held in the High Church Hall, under the
baton of Campbell Stockman and led by Jimmy Armstrong. One year later, in
1967 the Orchestra was renamed and became known as The Bathgate Concert
Orchestra As a group and individual members we have assisted in school
operettas, church activities and with the Bathgate Operatic productions.
The Annual Concert 1970
The Orchestra has since been directed by such names as Michael McKenna,
Alan Chalmers and for a short spell by Avril Femie and Richard Watson. Our
longest-serving conductor Hugh Haggarty (organist as St John’s Church,
Bathgate) directed the Orchestra for some fourteen years.
The Annual Concert 1972
Our present Musical director is Marco Marzella who took over the baton in
October 1997. Under Marco’s enthusiastic direction the Orchestra has now
more than fifty musicians on stage for the Annual Concert which is usually
held in May, in the Regal Community Theatre, Bathgate. Although the
leaders of the Orchestra have changed over the years the names of George
Melville, Jimmy Walker, William Anderson spring to mind, one other name
that has been associated with us since our inception is that of Alex
Haggarty. Alex was in fact leader of the Orchestra for over seventeen
years. Our present leader is Angela Smith. Archie Smith from Falkirk (no
relation to Angela) is at present our Deputy Leader.
Recently we have been fortunate in securing a substantial grant from the
“ Awards for All” Lottery Fund. This has enabled us to take delivery
of a new superior double bass, two new pedal timpani, along with an
orchestral bass drum together with other instruments which will enable us
to enhance future performances.
In the autumn of 1998 the Orchestra gave two performances of Mozart’s
opera Der Schauspieldirektor with the professional company “Opera Minora”
from Amsterdam. These performances were held in the Howden Park Centre,
Livingston.
copyright Opera Minora
In celebration of the new Millennium the Orchestra along with Bathgate Menzies Choir performed two special concerts, one in St Mary’s RC. Church Bathgate, and also at St Michael’s Church, Linlithgow. These concerts featured music from Handel’s Messiah along with other Inspirational favourites. Robert Tait was our guest Conductor for these special evenings, which proved to be a resounding success with enthusiastic and capacity audiences on each occasion.
The Orchestra performs Christmas Concerts and other fundraising events throughout the year as well as the principal annual concerts which take place in the Bathgate Regal Theatre in the month of May. The May Concert is such a popular event that two evenings are now scheduled since 2002.
The Orchestra has increased the education and training content of its regular activities by working with RSNO since 2004 to provide development workshops and sectional rehearsals. This coaching and smaller group training helps to raise the standard of the individual players and also gives the Orchestra a genuine enthusiasm for continuous improvement.