27-04-2025
Island orchestra soundtracks Chris Eubank Jr's ringwalk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
An Isle of Wight orchestra company soundtracked Chris Eubank Jr's ringwalk last night (Saturday, April 26) as he defeated Connor Benn at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
Symphonix Orchestra, based on the Island, played a version of Still Dre for Eubank Jr's walk-on music, in front of 65,000 people in the stadium and many millions more on TV.
Simon Ledger, the orchestra's CEO, received a call from BOXXER last Monday (April 21) asking for the orchestra to play at the match.
Previously, Symphonix had provided an eight-piece orchestra for Ben Whittaker's bout against Ezra Aryeneka at Selhurst Park in June 2024.
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Simon Ledger (left) with Chris Eubank (right) (Image: Simon Ledger)
Simon said: "Last Monday, they contacted me.
"Connor Benn decided to have a gospel choir, and they said 'we've got to beat that'.
"My father-in-law scored it quickly, Andrew Woodford organised it, and by Friday, we had secured the last players."
Simon founded Symphonix Orchestra around two years ago, with the outfit playing their first gig at Medina Theatre.
He has featured in Adam Art's series of caricatures in the County Press.
The orchestra, which plays a range of music, has built a following via social media and even gained some celebrity fans at the match.
Simon said: "I took my life savings and created an orchestra.
"It's such a financial gamble - it's very stressful at times but very rewarding.
"We've been picking up a following."
Simon's flurry of organisation this week made for an intense and exciting time, but the team had to rush back to the Island on Sunday morning, catching the 3am ferry with five minutes to spare.
He is performing at Robin Hill today (Sunday, April 27) with Joey Scott, bringing the first of this season's kids shows to the amphitheatre.
The Ultimate Kidz Show will feature Rachel's World and Dino-Mite.
Symphonix Orchestra's next show premieres at Shanklin Theatre on Saturday, May 3.
The show is an orchestral tribute to Whitney Houston, ambitiously backing songs that are difficult to do.
He said: "No one's done anything like we've done - it's crazy.
"We do songs we've never done with Whitney."
