Aurora at 20

Aurora celebrated its 20th anniversary on 15 April 2025.

Little did we know as we played the opening notes of our first concert at the Wathen Hall in Barnes, organised over a kitchen table, that Aurora would still be flourishing 20 years later. Thousands of performances behind us, in clubs, cathedrals, concert halls and outdoor spaces across the UK and beyond, the music we love playing has reached hundreds of thousands of you. Thank you for being a part of our journey, here’s to the next 20.
Nicholas Collon, Principal Conductor

A look back over the years

Four people are smiling at the camera and waving. One is leaning on the floor, three are standing up. One holds a flute, the other is standing by a harp and the third holds a balloon.

Performing from memory

In July 2014 at the BBC Proms, we were the first-ever orchestra to perform an entire symphony from memory. That ground-breaking first performance of Mozart’s 40th Symphony at the BBC Proms has been followed by other memorised performances of Mozart’s 41st; Beethoven’s Third, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Ninth symphonies; Brahms’ First Symphony; Shostakovich’s Ninth Symphony; Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique; Stravinsky’s Firebird and The Rite of Spring.

Our memorised performances

Remove the music stands, and the music becomes even more powerful.

Find out more about why we memorise

Creative Learning

A group of people dressed in bright colours stand in front of a rainbow. They are all holding different instruments and smiling at the camera.

Creative Learning has always been at the heart of our programme.

Aurora Orchestra’s creative learning programme, Aurora Classroom, supports teachers to bring rich musical education and experiences to all children. The Aurora Classroom programme encompasses:

  • digital resources for primary and secondary school
  • flexible cross-curricular resources for SEND settings
  • training for teachers from our team of experts
  • world-class programme of live activity for children and young people.