Sunderland Symphony Orchestra welcomes and strongly supports the City of Sunderland’s bid for City of Culture 2021.
Sunderland is a developing city which champions the arts and celebrates its cultural and historical heritage through education, its public services, and its commitment to promoting spaces and support for cultural activity at many levels. Embracing all ages and many areas of society and wide-ranging interest spheres, this creates a firm baseline and rich environment for the development opportunities a successful bid creates. In an area where much financial support, creative expertise and energy is required to ensure Greater Sunderland can develop as a truly great centre for culture, the bid will be vital for our growth in 2021 and beyond.
The City Council has actively sought to support and develop locally based cultural activity, which brings thousands of visitors to our city. This has ranged from supporting our excellent cultural arts provisions such as Sunderland Empire Theatre, Arts Centre Washington and The Bunker, to successful cultural events such as sell-out concerts in the Stadium of Light and Sunderland International Airshows at Seaburn Beach. Additionally, there are our cultural spaces, such as Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens and Monkwearmouth Museums; The National Glass Centre, and the recent creation of Keel Square. Additionally, offering support to smaller local groups and societies working at micro levels while reaching out to the regional and national scene, such as local band The Lake Poets, Bishopwearmouth Choral Society and Sunderland Symphony Orchestra.
Sunderland Symphony Orchestra was 
created in 1999 to fulfil a need for talented young people to access orchestral playing, locally, at a suitably high level. It now has a membership ranging from age 13 to upwards of 70, representing almost all instruments of a classical orchestra. The orchestra regularly performs music from all eras and many genres, featuring opportunities for solo guest performances, choral works and out of house activity. It has working or emerging links with local schools, the University of Sunderland, musical societies and local musicians of note. Performances usually take place in the beautiful West Park Church, situated right in the heart of the city; but over the years the orchestra has performed in local parks, schools, other local buildings, in different parts of the region and as far afield as Scotland.
A successful bid for City of Culture would allow the orchestra to grow and develop its range of influence and standing in the community. New links would be forged across the city and beyond, with outreach work undertaken to bring orchestral work and interest to a new audience, enhancing the rich cultural tapestry of the region.
Sunderland is a city full of unique culture trying to find an expression in an area which is well known for its rich cultural heritage – it is a city with many social and emotional needs. The people of Sunderland are calling for their own cultural voice to be heard, and to help them celebrate all things that make Wearside an area of great cultural inspiration in a way which will engage all aspects of its diverse society and bring Sunderland into the national conscience for all the right reasons.
— Joy Lowther, Sunderland Symphony Orchestra
