| Orchestra | Conductor Leader |
Rehearsal Venue/Times | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The A10 Orchestra | David Boarder | Wednesday evenings 8.00 10.00 or Saturday afternoons 2.30 5.00 at Roselands School, Highwood Road, Hoddesdon EN11 9AR. | ![[email]](./gif/hppmlbox.gif) David Boarder 01992 623489 or 07876444701 | The A10 Orchestra is the adult orchestra of East Herts Music Centres. Most of us learnt when we were at school, perhaps continued until we started work and then stopped when other things took over. Now we are enjoying playing again. Others have taken up their instrument as adults. We have no formal entry requirements - rather the emphasis is on making music together. |
| The A10 Concert BandNEW | David Boarder | David Boarder 01992 623489 or 07876444701 | The A10 Concert Band is the adult concert band of East Herts Music Centres. The band is an extension of the A10 Orchestra offering adults who play wind and brass at grade 3 and above the chance to work together 3 or 4 times each term and explore some repertoire. There are no formal entry requirements: rather the emphasis is on making music together. | |
![[link]](./gif/notelink.gif) Abbots Langley Orchestra | John Fryer Anula Nikapota | Alternate Sunday evenings 7.30 – 9.30 | Secretary Anita Catterick | |
| Ampthill Orchestra | Stephen Davies Keith Saunders | Occasional, Saturdays | Tim Mackley | Ampthill is an amateur orchestra set up for local musicians and aims to play at a good standard. We play 3 or 4 concerts a year, with proceeds going to charity or local community projects. Music is generally the popular classical side. Rehearsals are on Saturday afternoons, usually 4 or 5 over a few months proceeding each concert (i.e. not every week). There is no annual subscription. The orchestra is friendly and fun and we often play to a full house. |
| Bedford Light Ensemble | Victor Parker | Monday evenings 7:45pm - 9:30pm at the Bunyan meeting Free Church, Mill Street, Bedford | Victor Parker 01525 713202 | The Bedford Light Ensemble is currently a small group of amateur musicians, and as the name suggests, the music in our repertoire is “light” including music from shows and arrangements of familiar/popular classics. We would like to invite local musicians of any orchestral instrument to join us for fun and light-hearted evenings of rehearsal without the heavy and serious commitment of traditional orchestras. So dig out those old school instruments, dust them down, rekindle the talent and give us a try. |
| Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra | Michael Rose Jan Kaznowski | Wednesday evenings (term time) from 7:30 - 9:30 at Goldington Middle School, Bedford. | Julia Robinson | Formed in 1967, its aims are to provide an opportunity for amateur/semi-professional players to rehearse and perform to a high standard on a regular seasonal basis. |
| Bury Friendly Orchestra | Jenny Sewell Mike Baynes | Thursdays 7:30, Bury St. Edmunds | Mike Baynes | Bury Friendly Orchestra is a community orchestra that has just been started in the Bury St Edmunds area. We would like new players to join us, especially violins, violas, brass and percussion (waiting list for cellos, flutes and clarinets). |
| The Cambridge Concert Orchestra | Suzanne Dexter-Mills Susan Chapman | Wednesday evenings (school terms), central Cambridge | | Established for over 40 years, playing a repertoire of light music, light classical, show selections, film tunes, jazz and other popular items. Rehearsing weekly (during school terms) we perform up to three concerts per term, usually for those who would not ordinarily hear live music. New players welcome to apply; grade 6 standard (approx), no auditions, vacancies for strings/percussion. |
| Cambridge Philharmonic Society | Timothy Redmond Stephen Bingham | Monday nights 7.15-9.45, Chesterton Community College (Orchestra), Tuesdays 7.30-9.45 same place (Choir) | Jan Moore (Society secretary)Orchestral secretary | Established for over 100 years. The society comprises both orchestra and chorus, concentrating especially on the romantic repertoire, but also performances of classical works and more modern twentieth century compositions. Entry is by audition. |
| Cambridge Sinfonietta NEW | Peter Britton Susie Furphy | 7:30 - 9:30 Thursday evenings during term time, at Milton Road primary school, Ascham Road Cambridge | Clare Redfern | The Cambridge Sinfonietta exists to give amateur musicians the opportunity to play orchestral works in a friendly, supportive setting. The Sinfonietta welcomes new members subject to a reasonable balance between sections. Music is drawn from the classical repertoire and players are grade 4 to soloist standard, though it depends on instrument. |
| Cambridge String Players | Leon Lovett Julia Frape | Tuesday evenings, at St Faith’s School, Trumpington Road, Cambridge | | We are a symphony orchestra of some 50 musicians who enjoy the friendly atmosphere, stimulating repertoire and high aspirations of the group. We hold weekly rehearsals in Cambridge for most of the year, performing around five concerts each season |
| Clacton Concert Orchestra | Peter Clayton Ruth Baker | Tuesdays at 7.30pm at Clacton County High School Community Hall | Brenda Ellis, Chairman. 01255 223455 | We are a friendly orchestra of 20 players and give about 5 concerts a year in aid of local charities. All new players are welcome, especially strings and brass. |
| Colne Philharmonic Orchestra | Anthony Weeden Jill Davison | Two Sundays (10:00am - 2:00pm) prior to each concert | | We are a friendly, enthusiastic orchestra who enjoy performing three concerts per year and are always on the lookout for enthusiastic musicians. We aim to feature local and young 'up-and-coming' soloists of high quality and perform a range of music in Braintree. |
| Dacorum Recreation Orchestra | Steffie Logie | Wednesday evenings from 8 to 9.30 p m at St John’s Church Hall, Boxmoor, Hemel Hempstead. | Peter White | The Dacorum Recreation Orchestra welcomes all comers: re-starters, beginners and those with little experience of playing in groups. Auditions are not required and concerts are not performed. |
| Dacorum Symphony Orchestra | Thomas Loten Mark Warner | Bridgewater School Berkhamsted on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 to 10.00 | Darrell Dunning 01923 467502 | The orchestra has been established for 35 years. We play 4 main concerts a year with full orchestra and the Sinfonietta plays additional chamber concerts regularly throughout the season at numerous venues. |
| The East Hertfordshire Youth Orchestra | David Boarder | 7-9pm on Friday evenings at Simon Balle School, Mangrove Road, Hertford (term times). | David Boarder - tel 01992 623489 fax 01992 643795 | Hertfordshire County Music Service |
| Essex Chamber Orchestra | Patrick Bailey Colin Touchin Carol Ripley Lance Oliver | 3 weekends per year on a resident / non-resident course basis. | | Established in 1979, ECHO recruited its players from those members of the Essex Youth Orchestra who were obliged to 'retire' on reaching the age of 21. The orchestra now also recruits players who live or work in the County, those who attend Essex schools or colleges, and other invited players for particular concerts. |
| Essex Concert Band | Geoffrey Harniess | Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm in the Village Hall at Rowhedge, Colchester | | We are an established community ensemble formed during the 1980s. For more details about the band and forthcoming concerts please visit our website. Please e-mail us for details of current vacancies. |
| Essex Symphony Orchestra | Justin Doyle Keith Gurry | St John Payne School, Chelmsford, Monday evenings | Hilary Cheek 01245 471588 | The Essex Symphony Orchestra has been established since 1949 and has been conducted by world famous conductors. We perform four to six concerts per season; most of these concerts are in Chelmsford Essex, but we do take opportunities to perform around Essex, in such venues as Thaxted, Cressing, Rayleigh and Harwich. We are always in need of players; see our site under membership. |
| Evening Rehearsal Orchestra - St AlbansNEW | Martin Georgiev | Monday evening (8 -9.30) @Homewood Road URChurch St Albans | Roger Barnes 01727 851987 | Just for Fun"" approach. No auditions but ability to sight read helps. Can currently accommodate most instruments in the standard classical line-up. |
| Harlow Symphony Orchestra | Andrew Bruce John Hilton. | Tuesday during school term times, Harlow | | The orchestra was founded in the early 1960s. Membership numbers have varied over the years and are currently very strong, although we are always pleased to hear from local players who may be interested in joining. |
| Harmonie the South Essex Symphonic Wind Band | Roy Dignum David Adlington | Wednesday 7.45-9.45pm The Warehouse Centre, Brooke Rd Industrial Estate. Rayleigh , Essex | Muriel Cornwell | We are a community band. We play about 8 concerts a year, many to raise money for charities.We play each year at 3 local garden shows attended by thousands of people, Colchester Band Stand and in the past Eastbourne Band Stand , St James' Park and Greenwhich Park. Minimum standard is grade 5 but we welcome less experienced players. Trumpet players are particularly welcome as are percussionists. |
| Haverhill Sinfonia | Kevin Hill MBE David Ogden | 2.30-5.30pm, various Sundays | Deena Shypitka, Tel & Fax 01440-763799 | 5 orchestral concerts per season, also promotes recitals and Haverhill Sinfonia Soloist Competition. Minimum standard grade 8 |
| Hertford Symphony Orchestra | Gerry Cornelius Margaret Holter | Millmead school, Port Vale, Hertford, Tuesday evenings 7.30 | | The Hertford Symphony Orchestra has grown and developed hugely in the approximately fifty years since it was first formed. We have a busy season, giving three main concerts, a children’s concert, a family concert and a joint Christmas concert with the Hertford Choral Society. |
| Hertfordshire Philharmonia | Guest conductors Various | Thursday evening 7:30pm-10:15pm at Applecroft school Welwyn Garden City | Peter Neville: 01438 714394 | We perform six or seven times a year in locations throughout Hertfordshire and are looking for Grade 8 standard and above string players, though enquiries from other players are welcome. |
| Hitchin Concert Band | Alison Eales | Sunday evenings every two or three weeks usually at Little Benslow Hills, Hitchin | Alison Eales 01462 896778Colette Elliott 01462 835310 | The band's ethos is essentially one of a large group of friends meeting to rehearse and perform music for the pleasure of doing so. The band welcomes new members and can accommodate a wide range of performing ability. |
| Hitchin Symphony Orchestra | Paul Adrian Rooke Janet Hicks | Wednesday evenings during school term time from 7.30 to 9.30 pm at Kingshott School, Hitchin | Paul Adrian Rooke 01462 458614 | Founded in 1929 by Mary Ibberson at the Rural Music Schools Association. There are vacancies for trumpet, heavy brass, timpani, percussion. String players always welcome. |
| Huntingdonshire Concert Band | David McClintock Frances Reardon | Every Tuesday from 7.45pm to 9.45pm at St Peter’s School, Huntingdon Cambs PE29 7DD | 01480 811027 | We are a Community Wind Band, self funding that plays about 8 Concerts per year. Our styles range through all genres from Original works for Wind Band through Big Band Arrangements, Film and Stage. We have vacancies for Trumpet, Horn, baritone Saxophone and Tuned Percussion and ask for a standard of Grade 6 as a minimum. |
| Huntingdonshire Music School | | Saturday mornings (during term time), Huntingdonshire Regional College | Gary Sieling | Saturday morning music school for adults and children. There are more than 460 students with ages ranging from 4 to 83, and at least 35 staff who give individual tuition and direct ensembles. See website for full details. |
| The Huntingdonshire Philharmonic Orchestra | Marcus Pashley Kathy Faelber | Thursdays, 7:45 to 10:00 PM, Godmanchester Primary School, Park Lane, Godmanchester | | Also has associated choir |
| Ipswich Orchestral Society | Adam Gatehouse Richard Armitage | Holywells High School, Ipswich, Thursday evening (from 7.30 to 9.45 pm) | Tracey Adams - 01473 740635 | Always welcomes new players. Associated Board grade 7 if you are a string player, and grade 8 if woodwind or brass. |
| Letchworth Sinfonia | Kerry Camden Janet Hicks | Sundays 2.30 - 5.30pm every other weekend (term-time only) The Settlement, Nevells Road, Letchworth | Amanda Taylor Ann Parkhouse 01462 686309 | Founded in 1984 - we are a friendly Chamber Orchestra that perform 4 concerts a year. We welcome new players and have vacancies for String players Grade 6 upwards. |
| Luton Concert Orchestra | Terry Driver Pam Davies | 5 Fridays before each Concert in May and October at St Margarets Church, Biscot, Luton, 7.30 – 9.30. | Shona Rawson 01582 616585Terry Driver | We hold at least 2 concerts per year playing a wide variety of Light Music featuring local singers and solo instrumentaists. Currently there are some vacancies in all string and brass sections. We do not hold auditions but welcome players of grade 7 and above. |
| Luton Symphony Orchestra | Uwe Radok Terry Driver | Friday evenings, 7:30 - 9:30 at Stopsley Baptist Church, St. Thomas' Road, Luton | Louise Radok 01234 219054 | We perform 3 concerts a year covering a wide variety of the orchestral repertoire. New string players are always welcome, and at the moment there are vacancies for a 2nd bassoon and 3rd and 4th horn. |
| The Norfolk Symphony Orchestra | James Stobart Jane Foottit | Friday evenings in Downham Market | Graham Jones 01953 717605 | Successful, full-scale symphony orchestra Just a couple of vacancies for good first violins or violas See website for latest concert details |
| The North Norfolk Youth Orchestra | Norman Moor Mike Griffin | Cromer High School Music Block, Mondays in term time 7.15 - 8.30pm | Norman Moor 01263511600 | We are a very friendly band, playing all types of music from the standard classical repertoire to light music, and would welcome any musicians of Grade 5 and above who enjoy music making. We give four concerts per year. We have adult members and we welcome adult musicians |
| Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra | Russell Keable Ben Lowe | Tuesdays in school term time at 7.15pm, Norwich High School for Girls, Newmarket Road, Norwich. | Ben Lowe 01603 453389Norman Moor 01263 511600 | The Orchestra welcomes new members as and when places become available - established over 150 years. |
| The Philharmonic at UH | Robin Browning Richard Aylwin | Thursday evenings (7:30 – 10:30) at the University of Hertfordshire | Jane Anderson | The Philharmonic at UH (also known as the Hatfield Philharmonic) is a sociable orchestra giving first class concerts at the University of Hertfordshire’s auditorium in Hatfield. As we are fortunate to have the support of the University we are able perform around six concerts a year of diverse symphonic repertoire. |
| Phoenix Concert Band | Chris McGinity | Thursdays 20:00 to 22:00 Hertswood School Lower Site, Cowley Hill, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire | Chris McGinity 020 8364-9862 or 07901-972855 | The Phoenix Concert Band aims to set high standards in its performances, giving playing opportunities to musicians at the upper end of ability. Please contact us if you're around Grade 8 standard, or otherwise well qualified. |
| The Pulham Orchestra | Margery Baker Martin Wyatt | Every second and fourth Tuesday in the month from 2-4 pm at the Village Hall, Pulham Market, Norfolk. | John Herschel-Shorland 01379852836 | An amateur orchestra (25 years old) set up for local musicians from both Norfolk and Suffolk, which is friendly and fun but which also aims to play at a good standard. We welcome players of any standard. We rehearse throughout the year. We generally have 3 or 4 concerts a year, and every 2 years hold a 3 day weekend workshop. Music is a mixture of classical and popular classical. |
| St. Albans Rehearsal Orchestra | Justin Doyle Judy Salisbury | Wednesday mornings (during school term) 10:00 to 11:30 at The Mid Herts Centre for Music and Arts, Hatfield | Ron Bell 01727 836 452 | Founded in 2002 to provide an opportunity for persons available during the day who wish to get together simply to enjoy the making of music. No commitment to a program of concerts although we do occasionally play for schools and the elderly. |
| St Albans Symphony Orchestra | James Ross Jennifer Wigram | Homewood Road United Reformed Church, St. Albans on Wednesdays from 7.30 - 10.00 | Mrs Gillian Stansfield 01727 867045 | A large high-standard amateur orchestra performing approximately 10 concerts per season in St. Albans and beyond, including St. John's Smith Square, London. Recent repertoire includes Mahler, Symphony No.1; Janacek, Sinfonietta; Holst, The Planets. Normal minimum standard: Gr.8. Check website for playing and deputising opportunities. |
| Chamber Orchestra of St Ives | Chris Hiscock Bryony Lang | Typically once per month, Thursday 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM | | This newly formed orchestra in St Ives Cambridgeshire gives several concerts each year for the local community, usually linked with wider community initiatives. They are varied and include children's' concerts, traditional classical concerts, performances linked with the choral society, poetry and more contemporary productions. The playing is of a very high standard. There is no joining or membership fee nor are auditions required to join. |
| St Neots Sinfonia | Reginald Searle Naomi Laredo | Every Tuesday during term time, 07:45 PM to 09:30 PM in music hall at Ernulf Community College in St Neots. | Jean Searle, 01480 212298 | We are the community orchestra for the St Neots area in Cambridgeshire. We typically perform five public concerts each year: two traditional concerts, one with the St Neots Choral Society, a PROM type concert for St Neots town and a children's' Christmas concert. We pride ourselves on being an extremely friendly orchestra and welcome new members of grade VII and above, Associated Board. We generally have vacancies for string players (all instruments) and occasionally also for wind players. There are no auditions to join. |
| Sillars Light Orchestra | Patrick Meehan Ken Boast | Wednesday evening, 7.45pm at United Reformed Church, Ipswich Road, Norwich, Norfolk. | Haydn Brown 01603 413374 | A friendly amateur orchestra of approx. 30 musicians. It specialises in light classical music and is a member of the light Music Society. Formed in 1926 with the aim of raising funds for the YMCA and other good causes, it gives 4 to 6 concerts each year. A minimum of Grade 5 required or demonstration (during a trial period in rehearsal) of competence to perform the orchestra's concert repertoire. |
| Southend Philharmonic Orchestra | Guest conductor Gerald Usher Elisa Bergersen | Tuesday evenings 7.45 pm - 9.45 pm. St Margaret's Church Hall, Lime Avenue, Leigh on Sea SS9 3PA | Barbara Southward (Secretary) 01702 462768 | The orchestra is always looking for new members of all ages and experience. We have vacancies in some sections of the orchestra, particularly the string sections. Previous orchestral experience is useful but not compulsory. There is no audition. A warm welcome is assured. |
| Southend Symphony Orchestra | Jean-Louis Gosselin Richard Brittain | Wednesday evenings at St Margaret's Church Hall, Lime Avenue, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3PA 7.30 – 9.30 | Mandy Bearman - 01268 793920 | We give three concerts a year. Occasionally we have vacancies in the wind and brass sectios but string players are always welcome. There is no audition. We play a very varied repertoire. |
| Southend Wind Orchestra | David Clark | Chalkwell Park Methodist Church, Eastwood Lane South, Chalkwell, Essex, on Wednesday evenings 7.45 – 9.45pm | Sallie Falvey 01702 206156 | Only established in April 2002 but already 50 strong. Minimum standard Grade 6 but most members are well beyond that. We play the whole range of the wind band repertoire, with a special emphasis on contemporary works. |
| Stevenage Symphony Orchestra | Phillip Brunton Pam Davies | Wednesdays 8pm at the Community Arts Centre on Roaring Meg retail park, Stevenage | David Handley (chairman) 01727 858714 | We are an amateur orchestra based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, performing a number of public concerts each season. New players are very welcome, especially strings. |
| Sudbury Symphony Orchestra | Marianne Olyver Geoffrey Barker | Every Thursday in term time | Jane Hadlow | New members welcome – Grade 5 minimum level. |
| Trianon Symphony Orchestra | Professor Christopher Green OBE Steve Browne | Various/during college/university vacation periods | Paul Laughlin | Based in Ipswich, Suffolk, Trianon performs varied and exciting programmes in venues such as Snape Maltings Concert Hall and Ipswich Corn Exchange. With rehearsals scheduled in and around college vacation times, membership need not interfere with other commitments. No audition is necessary but a minimum standard equivalent to grade 5 (Associated Board) is required. |
| Watford Symphony Orchestra | Edward Kay Rebecca Boyle | Generally Thursday evenings - but not every week | Vicky Vandy, Secretary | A new orchestra aiming to provide good standard amateurs with an opportunity to make classical music in a friendly environment. Three/four concerts a year. Recruiting all strings in Grade VIII range. |
| Welwyn Garden City Music Society | James Ross Neil Bell (Chorus) | Applecroft School, Welwyn Garden City; Chorus: Mondays, 7.45-9.45pm, Orchestra: Tuesdays, 7.45-10pm | Jackie Jackson, Orchestra Secretary: 01707 886199 Marion Oxley, Chorus Secretary: 01582 832900 | A chorus and chamber orchestra performing 4 main concerts and special events each season in Welwyn Garden City, Welwyn and Hatfield. Chorus and orchestra both perform together and separately. Inquiries from prospective members welcome. |
| West Norfolk Jubilee Youth Orchestra and Concert BandNEW | Peter Strudwick and Chris Brown | Springwood High School on Wednesday evenings 6:30pm until 9:00pm | Debbie Hiles (Chairman) | WNJYO has been around for 30 years now and was started back in 1977 by Sir Malcolm Arnold. Since then we have expanded and generally got better. We have two ensembles - the Orchestra and Concert Band. |
| Woodbridge Orchestral Society | Neville Reeder Nicole Hawker | St. Mary’s Primary School, Burkett Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk. Monday evenings September to March during term time at 7.30 p.m. | Neville Reeder 01473-240737 | Long established orchestra (1907) Our orchestra has players with a wide range of abilities, which we can maintain by providing simplified versions of music for certain instruments when necessary. We have a repertoire which is a blend of classical and light music. String players particularly welcome. |
| Wymondham Symphony Orchestra NEW | Andrew Parnell Frances Banham | Tuesdays during term time from 7.45-9.45pm at Wymondham High School,Folly Road,Wymondham,Norfolk | Adrienne Cleary 01953 789637Brian Randall 01953 601939 | The orchestra was founded in 1984 as a community orchestra with the aim of providing an outlet for the musical aspirations of talented school children and adults who wished to play their instruments on a regular basis with like-minded musicians. Nicholas Daniel has kindly agreed to be the new patron since the recent death of Sir Malcolm Arnold, the orchestras original patron. |
If you have any information you'd like to appear here about a non-professional orchestra you conduct, play in or know of, let me know: