BOURNEMOUTH Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2024/25 season to mark the arrival of its new chief conductor. 

Mark Wigglesworth will replace Ukrainian Kirill Karabits and join principal guest conductor Chloé van Soeterstède. 

This new season also marks the orchestra’s fifth year of live broadcasting from the Lighthouse in Poole — as it shares performances around the globe.  

Mr Wigglesworth said: “This upcoming season reflects the BSO’s fundamental belief that live music is for everybody, hearing no boundaries and seeing no barriers.  

“Wherever you live in the south west of England, you will be able to experience a vast breadth of repertoire performed with great depth of passion and understanding by the orchestra and the guest artists that will be joining us from all over the world.  

“I hope that regular friends of the BSO will continue to be inspired by what we do and that newcomers will be thrilled to discover how a live concert can create an emotional space of infinite possibilities.” 

BSO chief executive Dougie Scarfe added: “Throughout the year we’ll continue to share music-making that is firmly rooted in the south west, from thrilling symphonic music in our many resident venues to the intimacy of the numerous community venues that form a key part of our unique remit. 

“Day in, day out we see the very real impact our music has on people’s lives in the places we visit — and it’s needed like never before.” 

BSO Participate will see an extension of its creative health work featuring BSO Wellbeing Orchestras in collaboration with communities across the region, including in Boscombe with an extensive programme throughout the year in partnership with Bournemouth Emerging Arts Festival.  

The orchestra has also committed itself to deepening its reach into communities, from the expansion of its health and wellbeing work to a new partnership with NHS Dorset. 

Mr Scarfe added: “We are excited to step into the new era of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra with our brilliant artistic team — welcoming conductors Mark Wigglesworth, Chloé van Soeterstède and Enyi Okpara, who each bring such extraordinary energy and dynamism — and a host of brilliant guest artists, including Alena Baeva, who becomes artist-in-residence.” 

More details on the BSO’s season can be found on its website.