Members' Reception: Meet the Viola Section

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is hosting a members' reception on Wednesday 26 May 2027, and this one is all about the viola section. It's part of the CBSO's members' events, which are exclusive gatherings where members get to meet the people behind the music—orchestra staff, players, conductors and soloists. The focus here is the viola section, so you'll be spending the afternoon with the musicians who sit right in the middle of the string section, the ones who hold down the inner voices and bridge the gap between the violins and the cellos.

These events are designed to give you a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on before a performance, the kind of stuff that usually stays hidden from the audience. It's a chance to step inside the orchestra and hear from the players themselves, rather than just watching them from a seat in the hall. Beyond that, it's a social thing—you'll be in the room with other members, so there's plenty of space to swap stories about the orchestra's past, present and future performances with people who follow the CBSO as closely as you do.

One thing to keep in mind is that places are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so if you're keen, it's worth getting your name in early rather than leaving it. The reception takes place at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on Wednesday 26 May 2027, starting at 1:30pm.