The Sanctuary Orchestra will give its first concert under its new name in December 2024; the third 'Sanctuary at Christmas' concert given since 2019.

Formerly Central England Ensemble (CEE), which was started in 2001 by Music for Sanctuary founder Anna Downes, CEE ran for 23 years and gave over 120 concerts. Click here to read more about the orchestra's history.

Statement from Founder Anna Downes:

Back in 2001, aged 24, I founded Central England Ensemble. I wanted to create an orchestra which was of a high standard for people like myself to play big orchestral repertoire in, BUT which also had the unique slant of promoting the work of Midlands' composers; my Father was the internationally acclaimed composer Andrew Downes, who was at the time Head of the Department of Composition and Creative Studies at Birmingham Conservatoire. I wanted to promote his amazing work and that of his talented then current and former students. I'm incredibly proud that in every single one of the 120 plus concerts we did between 2001 and 2024, met that aim. But things change. Dad's music lives on via many other channels, including the work of Central England Camerata and The Andrew Downes Performance Prize. Before the pandemic, CEE did have a modest but loyal audience base. The post-covid cultural landscape has meant that we've struggled since then. Our players tend to be of a high standard and play in many other groups as well as doing occasional professional work so we don't attract a core audience that a weekly rehearsing orchestra might. So I've made some crucial decisions about the future of the orchestra. In 2019, I founded www.musicforsanctuary.org - a concert series that fundraises for homeless charities. The concerts have been given by soloists, chamber ensembles, community and school groups and two by CEE. Since 2019 we have raised in excess of £23,000 for the homeless, food banks and those affected by the housing and cost of living crises With immediate effect, CEE becomes The Sanctuary Orchestra. Each Music for Sanctuary season will finish with a Gala Concert such as the one this December. Together with all the wonderful artists who contribute to Music for Sanctuary, the amazing musicians of the former Central England Ensemble will now come under the same umbrella, working towards the same aims. I do hope you will join us on 8th December for our first concert as The Sanctuary Orchestra
Best wishes,
Anna