Spa Orchestra

People have gathered at the Spa, Scarborough, since the 1620s. Then, they came to benefit from the magic healing qualities of the water, today they come to enjoy the music of its orchestra.

When the railway opened in 1845 visitors began to arrive in their thousands and a few years later the world's first cliff-side tram transported the town's guests from the top of the South Cliff to the Spa down by the sea. Today's Spa - the Grand Hall, Theatre, galleries, cafes and walkways that the 21st century visitor knows - was opened in 1880 after fire destroyed the previous building.

During the Victorian and Edwardian eras the Spa was established as a centre for great entertainment featuring the best of British musicians, actors and music-hall acts including Sir Charles Halle and Ivor Novello.

The Spa Orchestra was created in 1912 by Alick Maclean. This first ensemble of 35 professional musicians gave daily concerts in the Grand Hall and Suncourt. Concert programmes included music from the classical repertoire, Viennese waltzes, operettas, and popular songs of the day. This unique musical tradition has been continued by Musical Directors since Maclean including Max Jaffa between 1960 and 1986.

Moving towards 2012, its centenary year, the current Orchestra has blended these time-honoured experiences with a range of innovations. Check the 2008 Season page find out about the spectacular weekly Gala Concerts, the stunning fireworks concerts at nearby Peasholm Park and the increasingly popular Teddy Bears’ Picnic concert for younger members of our audiences.
Where else could you go to recline in a deck-chair, listen to world-class performances of music and look out across a sandy beach and to the sea? In the evening sit in the fabulous Grand Hall and, during the interval, meet members of the orchestra as you enjoy a drink and relax to the sound of the waves on the shore.


Paul Laidlaw, Piano & Musical Director.
Paul’s talents are as a musician and actor with a range of productions to his credit. His 25-year career has seen him performing or directing shows on three great continents – travelling to Vienna, Canada and, his personal highlight, Africa. Whilst there he worked as Musical Director for a production of West Side Story. Paul is based in York so is well aware of the distinctive talent and music of the Spa Orchestra!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
David Smith, Violin.
David studied the violin at the Yehudi Menuin School and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London. He taught in the Junior School at the Guildhall and the Menuin School before moving to Glasgow to co-lead the Scottish Ensemble. He joined the Spa orchestra in 2002 and intends to stay until the Complex falls into the sea! David is a trained driving instructor and member of the British Chauffeurs Guild, although the first time he ventured onto the M25 it was as a teenager taking part in a sponsored fun run.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Diane Stewart, Cello.
Diane graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester then worked as a freelance cellist with the major orchestras in the North West and the Scottish Ballet Orchestra. She moved to Scarborough with her husband Steve – the bass player – when she joined the Spa Orchestra in 1997. When she is not performing Diane prefers to stay at home looking after their daughters, Natalie and Sophie.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Steve Costello, Double Bass.
Steve was born in Coventry and moved to Manchester to study double bass at the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music. He graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music. From there Steve reluctantly spent a year playing in the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra before establishing a freelance career in the UK; this includes the Spa and Northern Ballet Theatre Orchestras. He still enjoys the occasional game of golf but his football career is now limited to shouting at the TV!
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Kathryn Seabrook, Flute, Piccolo & Tenor Saxophone.
Kathy graduated from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London having won the John Clifford Pettican Prize for orchestral playing. She has performed with the Scottish Opera, Glyndebourne Touring Opera and English National Ballet Orchestras. Her solo repertoire includes concertos by Mozart and Nielsen and she is a founder member of the London Wind Quintet. Kathy now spends her time composing children’s songs and running pre-school music sessions that are inspired by her sons, Danny, Adam and Ben.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Graham Quilter, Clarinet & Alto Saxophone.
Graham trained at Chetham’s School of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, London and the National Centre for Orchestral Studies at Goldsmiths’ College. His first break came whilst busking on the Underground; he has since performed with many UK orchestras including the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, the Liverpool Philharmonic and the Welsh National Orchestra. Music has also taken him to the USA, Norway, Italy, Bangkok and Hong Kong. Graham enjoys squash, scuba diving and good whiskey. He is married to Kathy and delighted to now be a Scarborough resident.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Steve Burnett, Bassoon.
Steve has just graduated from the Royal College of Music, London and looks forward to pursuing his studies at postgraduate level. Hailing from the south-west of England, Steve’s talent was spotted early and, among many accolades as a young player, he won a coveted place at the Junior department of the Royal Academy of Music, London and was principal bassoon in the National Youth Wind Ensemble of Great Britain. Steve is a versatile performer, as at home in a big band as in an orchestra and he also performed at Buckingham Palace and for broadcasts on Channel 4 and BBC 3.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Richard Wood, Trumpet.
Richard was Junior Cornet Champion of Great Britain, Barnado's Champion Child for Music and leader of the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain. He studied trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music and has toured the USA, Russia, Japan, Europe and Scandinavia. He has performed with major British orchestras and big bands, appearing at the Moscow International Jazz Festival in 2001. Married to Rebecca, they proved there really is something in the Spa water when they produced the orchestra’s second set of twins. Richard also works as a photographer, with an office and studio in the nearby Woodend Creative Centre - wave at him next time you cross Valley Bridge! He is currently training for another Great North Run.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Rick Scoates, Trombone.
From a Christmas Day debut in his Gran’s lounge Rick progressed to win the coveted Band Leader’s position in the Sand Hurst Infants to his first TV performances 10 years later fronting his own Original Bash Band. He has developed a one-man show, The Time Travelling Trombonist, involving costume, sound track and audience participation. Rick has played with the Northern ballet Theatre Orchestra for 21 years and is married to Rachel Lee, cellist with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Lee Adams, Percussion.
Lee’s first appearance at the Spa was as a soloist with the Scarborough Town Band. As a member of the Army he performed with the regimental band of the Green Howards and the Royal Artillery Band & Orchestra. After joining ‘Civvie Street’ Lee built up a career as a freelance performer. He performs in Edinburgh Panto every year, on cruises around the world and with this orchestra. When not performing Lee can be found renovating his house in France.

THE SPA is having a musical free-for-all

In a bid to entice more people to the numerous delights on offer throughout the summer, the venue is dropping its admission charges for three performances on Thursday July 24.

Two are by the Spa Orchestra: in the open-air Sun Court at 11am and in the Spa Grand Hall at 7.45pm, with guest soloist Marilyn Hill Smith.The third is with organist Howard Beaumont in the Sun Court at 2.30pm.

The Spa's business development officer Stewart Ward says: "The day will be a great opportunity for all borough residents and tourists to experience the sounds of the wonderful Spa Orchestra and relax in the Spa Sun Court with Howard Beaumont for free."It is open to everyone and offers an excellent opportunity to visit the Spa and gain an insight into what goes on at the Spa," Stewart says."The fantastic Spa Orchestra offers a fabulous programme of orchestral, classic, light and jazz music performed during an open-air morning concert and an evening concert with a special guest soloist."