Since Charles Hallé’s first concert the players in the Orchestra have been listed in the majority of concert programmes. Since most players tended to be engaged for a season, generally speaking there were not many changes within the season. Today’s programmes list the orchestra for the given concert, which of course may vary depending on the works being played. For the purposes of this project we have only picked one list per season, but it will hopefully serve as a starting point. All the other lists can be consulted in the archive, and the archivist can also carry out searches on request.

It must be noted that only the permanent contracted players were listed like this, no printed records were kept of the many extras and freelance players that played.

It did not become practice to list the members of the Hallé Choir, or Chorus, in the programmes until 1897/8. We do not have lists for all the seasons since then, but where they survive they have also been scanned.

The lists are arranged in sections for the Orchestra, and in order of seniority within the sections: Leaders, Sub-Leaders and then others in order of their length of service. The choir are listed in voice sections, and we think listed in order of years’ service thereafter.

If you find the person you are looking for:
You could search or browse the on-line catalogue to see what else we might have. We rarely have much material relating to individual players, but you might find incidental references. You could go to the photographic database to see whether we have a photograph of the full orchestra at the time. Principal players may have played as soloists during their careers so a search of the programmes may also be useful. For any advice on this please email the archivist.

If you can’t find them and you are sure that they ‘played with the Hallé’ remember that they may have been an extra rather than a permanent member.