CSSO to deliver Relaxed Concerts at University of Staffordshire

The CSSO has partnered with the University of Staffordshire to deliver its Relaxed Concerts at their Catalyst Building throughout 2025.

Currently sponsored by JCB, the next Relaxed Concert is to take place at the Leek Road site on Friday 14 March at 1.30pm. Lasting approximately one hour and completely free to attend, these relaxed performances are particularly suited to people living with additional learning needs, their families and carers; but anyone is welcome.

University of Staffordshire Vice-Chancellor Professor Martin Jones said: “We are delighted to be hosting these concerts on our main Stoke-on-Trent campus as part of the city’s centenary celebrations and thank Lord Bamford for his generosity in helping to make these wonderful cultural events open and accessible to all including our university community.” This event will be one of the first events given by the orchestra under its new name of the City of Stoke-on-Trent Symphony Orchestra, and will feature as part of the city’s official centenary celebrations. The orchestra will officially launch as the CSSO on 13 June 2025 at the King’s Hall in a Celebration Prom concert.

CSSO Artistic Director Joe Hearson said: “A huge part of what a modern symphony orchestra is about is taking inspiring music into the community to bring together people from all walks of life. In 2025, as we look forward to launching officially as The City of Stoke-on-Trent Symphony Orchestra, we are proud to be working alongside the University of Staffordshire, who will host our Relaxed Concerts. These joyous events are a great way for our audience and musicians to connect with each other, and they are always uplifting and inspiring for everybody present.” Tickets for the next Relaxed Concert, as well as most of the orchestra’s future events, can be purchased by visiting ticketsource.co.uk/csso