According to Greek mythology, Arion was the son of Poseidon and the Nymph Oneaea. He was a master of the lyre and was a musician at the court of Periandcr of Corinth. As he returned from a musical contest in Sicily laden with prizes, he heard the sailors of his ship plotting to rob and kill him. Arion begged that he be allowed to play one last strain on his lyre. He was granted permission and. as he played, dolphins crowded round the ship. When he had finished he leaped overboard but, instead of drowning, one of the dolphins who had heard his music took Arion on his back and carried him to Corinth.
Apollo later immortalised the story by setting the images of Arion and his lyre among the stars.
In an age of miraculous technology, communication between human beings is rapidly becoming eroded.

Music is one of the languages that can express so many thoughts and feelings that cannot be adequately expressed in words. It has been suggested that music has a deeper and more direct appeal to the emotions than any other art medium. It is absolutely essential that we do not allow musicians to wither away, thus depriving them and humanity of expression of a wide range of feelings, creativity and shared communication and joy.

Culture, creativity and shared experience are the social glue that binds, elevates, comforts, excites and stimulates all human beings.
"An outstanding orchestra with an outstanding conductor." (Jack Brymer)
The Arion Orchestra has always nurtured young musicians by giving them
opportunities to consolidate their training and to earn their living. Coupled with this, it also ensures their continued development by mixing them with more experienced players who have retained their enthusiasm for music.

Talent, enthusiasm and experience arc further extended by pursuing a policy of using international soloists, which exposes the players to the influence of excellence. In turn, the orchestra's freshness and enthusiasm stimulates the soloists, for the orchestra has now reached a standard comparable to the finest ensembles.

The Colleges and Academies make no provision for employment of young musicians once they have left those establishments. Added to this, the Musicians Union fees structure makes no provision for degrees of experience.
The experienced and inexperienced receive the same fee. So, the experienced will get the work and the inexperienced will be advised to get experience... where? The Arion has been helping to provide opportunities for gaining experience while at the same time providing a source of income. With this comes increasing competence and self-respect.
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Arion Orchestra
Arion Orchestra at St.James's, Piccadilly, May 2011
Pablo Casals "Song of the Birds"
Soloist: Heather Harrison, cello