Central England Camerata, founded by freelance violinist Anna Downes in 2013, has become one of the most sought after chamber orchestras in the central region of the UK and now works regularly with Hereford Cathedral Chamber Choir, Ledbury Choral Society, Derby Choral Union, Warwick and Kenilworth Choral Society, Birmingham Festival Choral Society, the Choirs of Southwell Minster and Cantores Chamber Choir.​

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CEC is made up of professional musicians who freelance in orchestras such as the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, English Symphony Orchestra and Welsh National Opera

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CEC has appeared at music festivals across the UK, touring with Andrew Downes' Ballad of St Kenelm. In August 2017 CEC performed a series of film music concerts at Moseley Lord of the Rings Festival.

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In 2020/21, CEC made several professional recordings of the music of Andrew Downes; Festival Overture to St Cere, Toccata for Small Orchestra, Symphony no 6, and the Christmas Cantata. In 2022, the orchestra recorded  Downes' brand new Violin Concerto with soloist Rupert Marshall-Luck. Following the composer’s death in early 2023, CEC recorded Downes’ Recorder Concerto with soloist James Risdon and then gave its UK premiere in February 2024 at St Peter’s Church, Notting Hill. A further performance in planned for September 2024 at the Henry Sandon Hall, Royal Porcelain Works, Worcester.

​In the Summer of 2024, CEC will be taking part in a production of  Wagner’s ‘The Flying Dutchman’ with Persona Arts at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.