As Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) prepares to embark on its ambitious two-year ‘Road to Joy’ celebration of Beethoven, the orchestra’s new Mercedes-Benz Actros is set to play a leading role behind the scenes, transporting its largest instruments and essential equipment as it brings world-class performances to audiences across the South and South West.

Celebrating Beethoven on the bicentenary of his death in March 1827, Road to Joy will lead audiences on a chronological journey through all nine of the composer’s symphonies across the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons - an 18-month project representing one of the great musical journeys. Supporting this demanding touring schedule is the Orchestra’s new 18-tonne Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin, supplied by Mercedes-Benz Truck Dealer, Marshall Truck & Van, which is expected to travel around 8,000 miles each year. In addition to the concert series, the Orchestra also has an extensive regional touring programme, taking live orchestral music to communities throughout its 10,000-square-mile region.

Based at Lighthouse, Poole’s Centre for the Arts, the Actros transports many of the Orchestra’s largest and most valuable instruments, including double basses, cellos, harps, timpani and percussion, alongside orchestral libraries, the conductor’s podium and, where required, music stands and seating for more than 50 musicians.

Dougie Scarfe OBE, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Chief Executive, said: "As a touring orchestra, bringing live music into people’s lives and communities sits at the heart of what we do. It's absolutely central to our existence, and being on the road is part of our DNA. Over the next two seasons we'll perform all nine of Beethoven's symphonies, ending with the famous Ode to Joy, so it feels particularly fitting that our own Road to Joy quite literally takes us across the region."

The Orchestra is the only major UK orchestra based outside a city and the largest performing organisation in the South West of England, serving one of the country's most geographically diverse regions. Touring is fundamental to its mission of making high-quality live orchestral music accessible beyond the UK's major city centres, and includes a host of outdoor summer events each year, including The Grange Festival.

"There's nothing like experiencing a symphony orchestra in full flight," added Dougie. "Watching dozens of musicians performing together with utter precision is something that really connects people. We believe everyone should be able to experience that, wherever they live, young or old."

While audiences experience the finished performance, few realise the level of planning and logistics required to make each concert possible. People are often surprised to learn that the truck’s load space is temperature and humidity-controlled, helping protect valuable wooden instruments from changes in climate that could cause damage or require lengthy repairs.

The new Actros replaces the Orchestra's previous Mercedes-Benz truck, which provided 14 years of service and covered almost 115,000 miles transporting instruments safely between venues across the region.

Senior Stage Manager Scott Caines, who was involved in selecting the new vehicle from the outset, said: "Stage Management were involved right from the start in selecting the truck and designing the body. I've driven several different makes over the years, but Mercedes-Benz Trucks has always been right at the top for me. Our previous truck served us brilliantly, and the after-sales support has always been excellent, so we had every confidence in staying with Mercedes-Benz Trucks again." 

Scott's role extends far beyond driving. Alongside fellow Stage Manager Harry Pascoe, he oversees every aspect of concert logistics, from transporting instruments and conducting health and safety checks to preparing stage layouts, coordinating equipment and ensuring every performance can begin exactly as planned. For the stage management team, the new Actros brings welcome improvements to their long days on the road.

"It's a very smooth and comfortable truck to drive, but it's the safety technology that really stands out,” continued Scott. “The MirrorCam system gives a much wider view than conventional mirrors, while the cameras and sensors help identify potential hazards. Voice control is another feature I really value because it lets me adjust the temperature, programme the sat nav and change radio station without taking my hands off the wheel."

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's new Actros ProCabin is one of the first lowliners in the country, offering a lower chassis to maximise the load height. Not only does this enable the vehicle to access venues easily, but it keeps the overall height below four metres so it can travel freely in Europe. The truck is equipped with the latest Actros ProCabin features, including Mercedes-Benz Trucks' latest version of Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC), an intelligent cruise control system that uses GPS and 3D digital maps to scan the road ahead, as well as electric stationary air conditioning and LED exterior lighting.

Bill Kingsmill, Key Account Manager at Marshall Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van, said: "Following the years of service that Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's previous Actros delivered, having entered service in April 2012, this new vehicle has an impressive act to follow. We worked hand in hand with the customer and the bodybuilder, Horton Commercials, to tailor the truck to the orchestra's exact requirements. Due to the unusual load that the truck carries, a great deal of time has been spent ensuring that it can be loaded as efficiently as possible and the instruments can be transported safely. It has been fitted with both front and rear air suspension and a Carrier temperature control system, ensuring that the instruments travel in air-conditioned luxury so they perform to the high standards you would expect from a world-class orchestra."

As Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra embarks on one of the most significant artistic projects in its history, the new Mercedes-Benz Actros will quietly accompany every step of the journey, ensuring that the Orchestra's instruments, equipment and performances continue to reach communities across the South and South West.

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra's 'Road to Joy' Tour starts on Wednesday 30 September at Lighthouse, Poole.

All imagery taken at The Grange Festival, July 2026 | thegrangefestival.co.uk

About Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

One of the UK’s best-loved orchestras, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is known for championing the role of culture in people’s lives. Based at Lighthouse, Poole, the Orchestra is resident in Bristol, Exeter, Portsmouth, Southampton and Yeovil, and performs in towns and villages across the region. A registered charity, it is the largest performing organisation in the South West of England, serving one of the biggest and most diverse regions in the UK.

Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth’s opening seasons have magnified the BSO’s reputation for the highest quality music-making and the Orchestra boasts an enviable list of named conductors, including Principal Guest Conductor Chloé Van Soeterstède, Marin Alsop, David Hill MBE, Kirill Karabits, Andrew Litton and new Calleva Assistant Conductor, Michal Oren.

In 2026/27, the BSO welcomes Thomas Adès as its Celebrated Composer, in a series that shines a spotlight on new British music. It launches a two-year Beethoven celebration: Road to Joy and welcomes pianist Boris Giltburg as Artist-in-Residence. Its live broadcast series continues into its seventh year, supported by Digital Concert Sponsor, Lark Music.

Celebrated for its pioneering community-based BSO Participate work, the Orchestra brings music into people’s lives beyond the concert hall – last year creating more than 58,000 experiences, from hospitals and schools to community centres and care homes.

A National Portfolio of Arts Council England, the BSO is a registered charity and relies on generous philanthropic support from individual donors, gifts in wills, corporate partners, and charitable trusts and foundations.

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