During this time, audiences have doubled and the residency has proved to be a paradigm of its kind, with an active and integrated local community and education programme complementing performances. Artists appearing there this season include Vladimir Ashkenazy, Lorin Maazel, Yuri Temirkanov and Nicola Benedetti.

In tandem with its concert season, the work of the Orchestra's Education Department is going from strength to strength. The Orchestra was honoured to be part of the opening ceremony for the Special Olympics in July 2009, where Philharmonia brass and percussion players performed a fanfare alongside two youth brass bands and children from five Leicester SEN schools who had also helped compose it. A total of 145 performers for this piece alone made it an incredibly and memorable occasion, and one with which the Philharmonia is proud to have been involved.

This season the Orchestra is delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with the University of Leicester. From October 2009, students will be able to have individual instrument lessons with members of the Orchestra as part of the University's music scholarship system; the University's various orchestras and bands will be able to invite Philharmonia members along for rehearsal advice; and other events for students based around the Orchestra's concert season are already being planned.

Plans coming to fruition later in the season include a joint project with the Royal Shakespeare Company, working in local primary schools to explore drama and music in Romeo and Juliet. Also planned is an innovative digital residency that will offer a completely different perspective on the Philharmonia Orchestra - more details will be announced very soon, but this promises to be one of the most cutting-edge projects that the Orchestra has worked on.

With another concert season featuring some of the most sought-after artists in the classical music world in addition to these projects, the Philharmonia is immensely looking forward to continuing its Leicester residency: thank you to every single audience member and project participant for all of your support.