The Grand Union Orchestra made its debut in 1984, the acknowledged pioneer - and still the leading exponent - of original, cross cultural music making. The Orchestra assembles musicians from virtually every part of the world to work together to create and perform new work which draws on their experience, culture and musical background. Most of its music is written by Tony Haynes, with lyrics contributed by writers in several different languages beside English.

Touring Shows

Grand Union’s priority is live performing and touring. Its most recent shows are THE RHYTM OF THE TIDES (featuring Portuguese and Portuguese African musicians alongside the Orchestra’s regular jazz players, exploring Europe’s mixed legacy of empire) and NOW COMES THE DRAGON’S HOUR (featuring Indian, Bangladeshi and Chinese musicians, taking the Great Silk Road past and present as its theme and linking images). Both were recorded and broadcast by BBC Radio 3, and subsequently released as CDs.

Large scale projects

Grand Union is also well known for its large scale participatory projects, which originally grew out of its workshop activities. These included WHERE THE RIVERS MEET, which ran for a week in May 2000 at Sadlers Wells Theatre (featuring over 100 performers of all ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds, based on the experience of migrants, exiles and refugees in North London); and Doctor Carnival, presented in the course of 2001/2002 in Sunderland, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Folkestone, Loughborough and at the Kings Lynn and St Magnus Festivals- again with 100 or so local performers in each venue! (featuring musicians from South America, Africa and the Caribbean in an exploration of
carnival, its colonial roots and what it means in Europe today.)

Coming to Loughborough as a part of the continuing 'People Making Music' initiative from Charnwood Arts and Charnwood Borough Council the Grand Union now present specially commissioned work and a further community project including the 'Charnwood Arts Singers'!