BOURNEMOUTH Symphony Orchestra has been bringing world-class music to the town and beyond since May 22, 1893.

The bandstand in the Lower Gardens is an important part of the orchestra’s history; it represents the orchestra’s beginnings as a municipal band of musicians.

There were originally two bandstands: the Pier bandstand, built in 1885, and the Pine Walk stand, in the Gardens, built in 1884.

In 1876 the Italian Band, conducted by Pietro Dardine, came from Bath to Bournemouth. They wore Italian uniform and lasted 16 years until the first Corporation Military Band was formed by Signor E Bertini, early in the summer of 1892. This band played twice a day on the Pier.

Their services were retained until May 1893 when Sir Dan Godfrey’s band was formed; however, several of the previous bands’ musicians joined the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra (BMO) and stayed with them for many years.

When Godfrey was appointed leader of the new orchestra, he had a contract of £95 a week to run a band of 30 musicians, clothe them in appropriate uniform and obtain the music to play. One of Godfrey’s most remarkable judgements in the recruitment of the new band was to ensure a large number of musicians could double on strings and other instruments, meaning that this was a military style band and the foundation of a symphony orchestra.

It was at the Bournemouth Pier bandstand that the military band concerts were played three times a day in summer and twice in winter.

The Pier Bandstand was also the scene of concerts by a section of the BMO or Bournemouth Municipal Band conducted by Captain Featherstone. It was the venue for several BMO/Godfrey broadcast concerts in 1934.

Unfortunately this structure no longer stands, after the pier was partially blown up in WWII.

In fact, neither of the original bandstands are still in place. The Pine Walk bandstand in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens was originally a rustic bandstand but it was replaced with the current structure in 1933.

The importance of the bandstand to the orchestra’s history became clear in 1954 when the BMO was renamed the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Sir Charles Groves was principal conductor and although the orchestra was no longer run by the council, part of their new agreement was that BSO musicians would continue to perform in the Pine Walk bandstand. Groves conducted a number of BSO concerts at the bandstand for Bournemouth audiences to enjoy.

To mark the BSO’s 125th anniversary, BSO musicians are returning to the bandstand in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20. BSO ensembles BSO Brass and the Mini BSO will be performing free concerts for everyone to enjoy.

BSO Brass is made up of five members of the the brass section. This concert is on May 19, 11am, and offers the opportunity to experience and hear BSO musicians in a different setting as well as showcasing professional the musical excellence and versatility of the BSO brass players.

The Mini BSO is a quintet comprising all four families of musical instruments. In this performance, on Sunday, May 20, at 11am, the Mini BSO will introduce the instruments of the orchestra in a fun and family-friendly manner, with lots of opportunities for audience participation.

The BSO is looking for amateur ensembles who would like to perform all kind of music in the afternoons of Saturday, May 19 and Sunday 20.

If you’re in an ensemble and would like to play in Bournemouth’s historic bandstand, contact Ben Jennings on 01202 644717 or bjennings@bsorchestra.co.uk