After almost a quarter of a century at the helm of  Manchester’s Halle Orchestra, Sir Mark Elder is standing down as Music Director of the Orchestra.  Sir Mark, President of the Society, inherited an orchestra in need of revitalisation and over the last twenty four years has raised its profile to a preeminent position in orchestral performance in the north of England.

Sir Mark’s last Elgar concert as music director took place on Sunday 19 May 2024 in the Bridgewater Hall: The finale being a spectacular performance of the Enigma Variations, after which, at a reception marking the event, the Chairman of the North West Branch, Geoff Scargill, made short speech thanking Sir Mark for his service to music in the region and especially to the music of Edward Elgar, both wihin the UK and overseas.  As Geoff said, “We are honouring tonight the finest interpreter of Elgar’s music, not only in Britain but around the world.” He went on to refer to a concert given in Germany. “Listening to how that audience in Berlin reacted to you, brought home to me just how much you have done to share with the world the delights of Elgar’s music.”

There followed a presentation by the Society’s national Chairman, Stuart Freed, who, after a few words, gave Sir Mark a presentation folder containing a citation marking the event, a transcript of a letter written by Sir Edward Elgar and the original letter signed by the composer.

In accepting the gift, Sir Mark thanked the Society for the gift and spoke about his career in music, his commitment to music making in Manchester and his love of the music of Elgar.  He went on to say that whilst he is now moving on to further challenges, with commitments in Bergen and elsewhere, he will continue to be associated with the Halle and will conduct them regularly.