The Bombay Chamber Orchestra
The Bombay Chamber Orchestra is India's finest orchestra and has made a significant contribution towards developing young talent and bringing Western classical music to Indian audiences.
The Bombay Chamber Orchestra (BCO) Society was founded in 1962 as an educational trust primarily to offer free coaching to the young musical talent of this city in the technique of orchestral playing. This primary aim has often included teaching the basics of music and the techniques of playing various instruments. In fulfilling its primary aim of increasing awareness in and educating young musicians in the joys of music, the BCO has also extended to its many students, the facility of loan of instruments since these are either not easily available in India or are prohibitively expensive. It has tried, in some ways, to fill in the great void as a result of there being no school or academy that caters to the development of western music in the city of Mumbai. The BCO also conducts workshops under professional musicians from around the world, as there is a crying need for teachers of certain instruments, especially in the case of cello, doublebass and wind/brass instruments.
The BCO performs 5-6 concerts each year with international and local conductors and soloists.It has performed with eminent musicians like Lord Yehudi Menuhin, and with the Sadlers Wells Ballet Company of London and the Light Operatic Company of Vienna. Visiting musicians are only too happy to collaborate with the BCO, inspite of the orchestra's inability to pay them any fee or honararium. The orchestra depends solely on the generosity of its advertisers and donors to meet all its expense for it receives no grants nor subsidy. In fact, it is commendable that the orchestral members, who are either students or working in different non music related professions, reherse on Sunday mornings and early mornings on weekdays(rehersals begin at 7 am!. This dedication is purely driven by the love for making music, without any monetary considerations.
The orchestra has come a long way and its future success is heavily dependent on support from various sources who share this vision. We are therefore, making an appeal to help us by releasing an advertisement in our concert souvenirs or by donating towards our educational objects. The BCO Society is a registered charitable organisation under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act and all contributions will be eligible for a deduction as prescribed under the Act. Given the difficulty in procuring good quality musical instruments in India, we would appreciate donations of musical instruments, particularly, wind and brass instruments. Also, we would be happy to have training under and perform with professional musicians or conductors in future. Although we would not be able to make travel arrangements or give an honararium, we would gladly provide hospitality for the visiting musicians.
