For £2,000 over three years, an orchestra lover can sponsor a musician from the Northern Sinfonia, based in Gateshead, through its Principal Partners scheme.

Supporters of the Northern Sinfonia can meet its musicians for dinner

You choose a principal musician to support, and get exclusive access in return. "You meet that principal on a regular basis over lunch or supper, and become close to that instrument and understand what it is to be a player in an orchestra like this," explains director of marketing and development Lucy Bird.