Report from Mumbai Chamber Orchestra

　I am so pleased to inform you of our new member from India.
I visited Mumbai (Bombay) last November in order to attend the 45^th anniversary concert for the Bombay Chamber Orchestra (BCO).
　BCO was organized in 1962 by Ms. Jini Dinshaw.  It continues to pursue its twin objectives of promoting good music and encouraging local talent to develop.  So far, BCO is the only orchestra which regularly holds orchestra concerts in India

　For nearly a half century, BCO has regaled Mumbai audiences with over 200 concerts, including many with international guest conductors and soloists, as well as performing in several other cities in India and Sri Lanka. Some of the eminent musicians and musical companies who have performed with the orchestra include:  pianists Walter Gieseking, Kendal Taylor, Piers Lane, Galina Vracheva and Irina Chlourindina; violinists Lord Yehudi Menuhin Nigel Kennedy, Christina Edinger, Bijan Khadem Missagh and Leon Spierer; the Verdehr Trio; the Sadlers Wells Ballet Company; and the Viennese Light Operatic Company.

　The orchestra receives the support of various cultural organizations, including the British Council, the Max Mueller Bhavan and the Alliance Françoise.  These organizations have loaned or donated instruments, provided practice facilities, and sponsored visiting musicians and teachers. However, the orchestra receives no financial support from the government. BCO offers free coaching to young students interested in studying orchestral instruments while aiming to create an environment and incentives to encourage young talent to continue working at the instruments of their choice.  Every time BCO holds a concert, they must invite musicians from foreign countries for instruments such as oboe, bassoon, horn, and double-bass.  At the same time, BCO organizes workshops by visiting international musicians who can speak in English so that they can communicate well.  During my visit, there were several instrumentalists who were students or graduates from the Royal Academy of Music in the UK  Even though they stayed less than two weeks, local students were taught the correct basic techniques of playing the instruments.  Instruments were also loaned to students, as students and their parents often find it too costly to invest in instruments.

　Last year, the National Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI) formed using professional musicians from Kazakhstan and European countries.  They also took away six BCO members who have been training for a long time with BCO.   However, SOI does not hold regular concerts but organizes performances for special occasions.  (There are three music schools in India, but not one of them has an orchestra.)

　Ms. Dinshaw who is the founding trustee told me that BCO has been facing a problem:  lack of intensive training for young students as well as instruments and their maintenance.

　After listening to the marvelous ethno-modern 45^th anniversary concert at TATA Theatre, I really felt that BCO is making a great contribution for society.  The atmosphere of the concert with a British conductor and a Russian pianist was just as if I were in Europe

Joe Yamaji  

                                      WFAO Asia Representative

The Bombay Chamber Orchestra Society

Ms. Jini Dinshaw, Founding Trustee

Mr. Alaric Diniz

Jt. Hon, Secretary

Venkatesh Chambers, 4^th Floor

Prescot Road, Mumbai 400 001

TEL / FAX; +91-22-2207-3274

E-mail: bcoindia@yahoo.co.in

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