Amateur Orchestras - Heart of England

Orchestra	Conductor Leader	Rehearsal Venue/Times	Contact	Notes
AD Concert Band	Dr Trevor Farren	Alderbrook School, Blossomfield Road, Solihull. Wednesday 8-10 pm	Jenny Phillips	Originally a youth band, the Band today comprises musicians of all ages, ranging from enthusiastic amateurs to graduate standard players. New members are always welcome.
Alveley Village Band	Iain Masson	Saturday mornings (term-time) 9am - 11am at Alveley Village Primary School, Daddlebrook Road, Alveley, WV15 6JT.	Carl or Leesa Aubrey 01746 761943	The community band for the whole of Shropshire. Open to all instruments, ages and abilities, Alveley Village Band is famous for being the largest family-oriented community band in the country, bringing together grans and grandads, mums and dads, great gran and grandads, neighbours, children, teenagers anyone else who wants to take part. Pure fun for the whole music community.
Asklepios OrchestraNEW	James Ham Denis Wardle	Wednesday evenings 8:0pm to 10;00pm at the Medical School, University of Birmingham.	Martyn Harris 0121 427 6187	Founded in 1969, the orchestra originally rehearsed in the Birmingham General Hospital, but since 1997 we have met in the Medical School. We are friendly group, and despite the orchestra’s origin, welcome players from all walks of life. We give up to 3 concerts a year. We have vacancies for strings and brass.
Bedworth Symphony Orchestra	Rob West vacant	Monday evening 7.30 in Bedworth	Maxine Moody (Librarian) Bob Phillip	Small friendly symphony orchestra 3 concerts a year, we meet most weeks to play even if not rehearsing specific works
Birmingham Chamber Orchestra	Martin Leigh	Intensively before each concert	Julie Billingham 0121 550 0956 Louise Wood	Recently in receipt of Arts Council recognition, Birmingham Chamber Orchestra is an ambitious ensemble of a high standard. In addition to a concert series throughout the Midlands, it specialises in semi-staged opera, collaborating with young professional singers. Participation is by invitation only.
Birmingham Concert Band	Eric Entwistle	Monday evening 7.45pm - 10pm St Catherines Church, Hampton Lane, Catherine de Barnes, Solihull West Midlands	Sue Fullard	Concert Band established over 40 years ago and comprises semi pro and amateur musicians age range immaterial but minimum grade 5 standard, playing all types of music and performing to raise money for local charitable organisations. Vacancies exist in all departments but in particular, percussion, bass instruments, and middle range brass and wind. Also limited numbers of flutes and clarinets required.
Birmingham Concert Orchestra	James Cunningham Andrew Moore	Mondays 7.30 - 9.30pm, King Edward VI Handsworth School, Rose Hill Road, B21 9AR	Linda Cullen	Founded in 1934 as the Kings Heath Evening Institute Orchestra, and is now a flourishing group of musicians from all walks of life. All contributions are equally valued, and the uniting experience of performing good music in a relaxed setting remains central to the orchestra.
Birmingham Philharmonic	Michael Lloyd	Birmingham Conservatoire, Sunday 10.00 - 13.00	Chris Bertram 0121 689 2835	The Birmingham Philharmonic is one of the country’s leading non-professional symphony orchestras, with strong links to the CBSO and members from across the Midlands
Blackwell Concert BandNEW		Methodist church hall, Golden Cross Lane, Catshill, Bromsgrove Worcs, Thursday 7.45 – 9.30	Kevin Pearson 07776170827	We are a Village band made up mainly of keen players from the surrounding areas. We have a regular group of about 20 players on a Thursday night with just under 30 on the register. We play a wide range of music to appeal to as many tastes as possible. We do about 10 events a year from social clubs to bandstands Fetes to balloon festivals. We are always on the lookout for new players of any ability, we do not do auditions, all we ask is that you can play one octave of notes on your instrument. Come and grow with us!
Bromsgrove String Orchestra	Pavel Kotla	Tuesday evenings in Bromsgrove		Next concert on June 16th to include Shostakovich piano concerto no.1 and works by Finzi
Burton Concert BandNEW	David Haines	Tuesdays 19:30 - 21:30 at Trinity Methodist Church, Burton on Trent.	Contact via website	A friendly wind band, we perform in a wide variety of settings. We have recently played at The Royal Show, local beer festivals, and local churches. We'll be celebrating 15 years in September 2008, and looking forward to planning a return visit to Italy in 2009.
Chandos Symphony Orchestra	Michael Lloyd Kathryn Rutland	2 weekends prior to each concert in Malvern – see website	Roger Clift	Playing the big symphonic repertoire mainly from the 19th and 20th centuries, Chandos gives three concerts per year in Malvern, under professional conductor Michael Lloyd and professional leader Kathryn Rutland. The orchestra also runs two workshops per year open to all comers. Numbering around 90 players from all over the West Midlands region and around the UK, the orchestra holds an annual young musician competition in January whose winner may be invited to play a concerto.
Cheltenham Philharmonic Orchestra	Duncan Westerman Sue Belinfante	Wednesday evenings in central Cheltenham	Secretary 01452 714209	The orchestra gives four public concerts in Cheltenham Town Hall or other local venues.
Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra	David Curtis	Prestbury Junior School, Cheltenham. 730pm Thursdays in term time	Secretary Andrew Chapman 01684-772272	The orchestra gives 7-8 concerts a year in Cheltenham and surrounding towns. There are potentially places for good string players.
Cirencester Philharmonia	Currently auditioning	Sunday afternoons in Ashton keynes (5 miles south of Cirencester (Glos.) 14.15-17.00	Dave Richardson 01793 861594 / 07743 769896	A friendly, local orchestra centred on Cirencester (formerly the Ashton Keynes Orchestra). We play a mixture of music - from standard classical music to modern film themes. Players come from a wide area around Gloucestershire and North Wiltshire. New players always welcome, particularly strings and French Horns.
Cirencester String Orchestra		Wednesdays 8 00 pm, Watermoor Church Hall, Cirencester	Alan Bingle 01453 764626	String orchestra for adults who are of intermediate level. Ideal for players who used to play at school and who want to start playing again.
Colwell Arts Concert Band	Phil Cowley	Colwell Arts Centre, Derby Road, Gloucester. Monday evenings at 7pm in term time.	Phil Cowley 01452 528008	The band gives 4-5 concerts a year, mainly in and around Cheltenham. There are potentially places for woodwind or brass players of above Grade 5 standard, especially horns and lower brass.
Dancing Bear Symphony OrchestraNEW	Bro. Paul Francis TBA	2nd & 4th Sunday of the Month 12.30-3.00pm. Journey MCC buidling, 17 Shaw's Passage, off Allison Street, Digbeth, Eastside, Birmingham. B5 5JG	Bro. Paul 0121 457 7598 / 07882 530320	The DBSO is Birmingham's new Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Mixed Orchestra. We perform orchestral music to a high standard and we are a charity working to support the needs of our large community. We have a strong link with Birmingham Pride, and perform at both Pride and as part of 'Queer Arts Fest'. We welcome players of all ages, including young glbt players under the ages of 18 & 16.
Gloucester Charter Concert BandNEW	Simon Stephens	Thursday evening 7.30pm till 9pm at St. Georges Church Grange Road Tuffley	Keith and Shiela Stephens 01452 413681	Welcome Woodwind and Brass players of any age and standard. Various gigs during the year mainly fetes, and christmas services with a couple of concerts mixed in. Playing a wide variety of music show tunes, classic arrangements and more contemporary items.
Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra	Mark Finch	Tuesdays from 7:30-9.30 pm at Elmbridge Road Junior School, Gloucester	Clare Lucas 07976 981752 Mark Finch 0117 9248433	The Orchestra is always keen to welcome new members as players. There are no formal auditions but members are expected to be of a reasonable standard, usually Grade 8 or equivalent. At present, we are particularly looking for viola and violin players.
Great Wyrley Community Band	Vaughan Smith	Great Wyrley High School, Hall Lane, Great Wyrley, Staffs. WS6 6LQ, Tuesday 7.15 – 9.30pm.	Musical Director 01543 257535	Whether you play Woodwind, Brass or Percussion and are Grade 3 standard or above, we would be pleased to hear from you. Even if you haven't played for years, come along on a Tuesday and sit in with the Band.
The Halesowen Orchestra	Martin Leigh Jennifer Smith	Monday evenings in Halesowen	Julie Billingham 0121 550 0956	A thriving weekly-rehearsing orchestra in the West of Birmingham. Presenting four concerts a year and often working with professional soloists.
Harborne Orchestra	Pat Ryan	Every Friday, 7:30pm, term time at the Martineau Centre, Balden Road, Harborne, Birmingham.	Pat Ryan 0121 429 2628 Marjorie Featherstone	Founded in 1940, the orchestras main objective has always been to provide a friendly atmosphere where players of all ages and abilities can enjoy making music. Rehearsals prepare for three concerts a year.
Harmonie Concert Band	Tony Veal	Wednesdays 8.00 pm until 10.00 pm at Langley Secondary School, Solihull.	Jane Robbins	Harmonie is a Solihull wind band with a long and successful history of providing the opportunity for players to rehearse and perform concerts. We have no age restrictions or entry requirements - everyone is welcome. We take part in several concerts each year and often with local schools involvement. The band also commissions works and engages top professionals to conduct workshops to improve playing skills.
Leamington Sinfonia	Jenny Barrie	Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 pm (in term time) at Spencer Yard, Leamington Spa.	Jenny Barrie 01789 269566	Leamington Sinfonia is one of Warwickshire's most accomplished and socially active orchestras. We enjoy ambitious programmes, projects with local choral and ballet goups, workshops, and many fun events such as International tours, bike-rides and pub-crawls. We are currently looking for a new leader (salaried position) and other members of the string sections (except cellos).
National Express West Midlands BandNEW		Mondays 19:30 - 21:30 at Salvation Army, Green Lane, Walsall	Chris 07933281890 Ulrike 07983850095	Recently formed band, all wind band instruments required especially top woodwind, horns and trombones. No fees charged, very friendly and we play a good variety of music
Newent Orchestra	George Taylor Bill Anderton	Saturdays, 10.00 a.m.- 12.00 midday. Upleadon Village Hall	Guy Fletcher 07763 186927	Amateur orchestra with regular concerts. No formal auditions; wide range of abilities and ages.
The Redditch Orchestra	John Graham	Kingsley College, Redditch, Worcestershire. - 7.30 till 9.30pm every Thursday during school term time	Richard Crook - 07970-187939	The Redditch Orchestra, started in 1947, has a full symphony orchestra make up of mainly local musicians. We play three concerts a year and invite guest conductors and professional soloists from time to time. Presently we could do with more cellists and brass players.
The Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra	Richard Coppack	Thursday evenings at 7.30 at Newnham St Peters CofE Primary School, Station Road, Newnham	Tony Veazey, 01452 618219
The Shirley Band	Martyn Ford	Wednesdays and Fridays, at Light Hall School in Shirley.	Brian Johnson - 01564 703787	The Shirley Band is a traditional British brass band based in the town of Shirleyin the Borough of Solihull. Each year we have a full programme of local concerts, and often play further afield at venues such as Cheltenham, Worcester and Stratford-upon-Avon
Shrewsbury Concert Band	Ken Lumley	Meole Brace secondary school, Longdon Road Shrewsbury, every Thursday evening 7.30pm - 10.00pm during term time	Liz Carr 01743 874096	Regular concerts including band stands, charity events. Enthusiasm, commitment, approx grade 5+ required. Current vacancies
The Shrewsbury Light Orchestra	Peter Road-Night Anne Price and David James	The Priory School, Longden Road, Shrewsbury. Fridays (during term time) 7.30 - 10.00pm	Secretary - Pat Evans 01743 362684	Founded in 1968, the orchestra plays a variety of music is played including light classical, show music, film and TV themes, traditional and modern popular numbers. Over the years the Orchestra has given both formal and informal concerts of light music in and around Shrewsbury.
Sinfonia of Birmingham	Michael Seal Chris Hughes	Cambridge Road Methodist Church, Kings Heath. Typically Tuesdays and Fridays, 7 – 10pm	Peter Mitchell (Chairman) – strings, Sue Peters (Secretary) – wind & brass:	The Sinfonia of Birmingham is a high standard chamber orchestra giving up to 5 concerts a year in the Midlands along with an international tour every 2 years. The orchestra has a close association with members of the CBSO either as conductor or concerto soloists.
Solihull Symphony Orchestra	Martin Leigh Sarah Sasse	Tuesday evenings, St Ninian's Church, Caldwell Grove, Solihull	Membership Secretary 0121 745-5548	Formerly Knowle Sinfonia, we are a friendly local orchestra with a growing reputation who enjoy taking on the challenge of an exciting repertoire. We are currently very keen to find more violinists, but there are often vacancies in other string sections too - why not get in touch to find out more?
South Birmingham Sinfonia	Lee Differ	Quaker Meeting House Selly Oak. Monday evenings.	Nick 0121 459 9867	A relaxed and friendly orchestra offering players of all ages and musical standards the opportunity to take part in amateur music. No auditions.
Staunton Concert Band		Monday night at St. Hardulph's School at Breedon on the Hill		A group of amateur musicians of all ages presently consisting of 50 members. We play music of all kinds, classical, film, other and give a number of concerts each year.
Stourbridge Choral & Orchestral Society	Graeme Martin (Orchestra) Jim Pearman (Choir)	Mondays (orchestra) and Tuesdays (Choir) in The Stourbridge Centre, Mere Road	Jim Pearman: 01562 632172	It was founded in 1884, and is one of the oldest choral and orchestral societies in England. Usually 3 concerts per year; one of which is specially for children. Currently vacancies for oboes, horns and strings.
Stratford Upon Avon Symphony Orchestra	Andrew Swinn Diana Lucas	Friday (19:45-22:00) in school terms, at Shottery Village Memorial Hall, Stratford (western outskirts)	Andrew Swinn 01789 763954 Diana Lucas 01386-840442	The orchestra performs works largely from the classical repertoire from the 17th to the 20th century. Concerts are given three times per year. The orchestra is always on the lookout for new players, particularly in the string and trumpet sections.
Stroud Symphony Orchestra	Jonathan Trim John Woodward	Wednesday eves 7.45-9.45pm at Marling School, Cainscross Road, Stroud	Martin Green (Chairman) 01453 763375 (daytime) Jan Rice-Tarry (Secretary) 01453 835483(day/eve)	We are a large, established and very friendly orchestra. We perform three concerts a year (Nov, March and June/July) usually at Holy Trinity Church, Field Road, Stroud. Our members (and audience!) enjoy a rich variety of concert programmes including guest soloists and premiers of new works. There is currently room for expansion in the string sections. Warm welcome guaranteed.
Telford Orchestra	Ruth Matthews	Mondays 7.30-9.30 at Chilcott Gardens ,Bridgnorth Road, Madeley.	Elizabeth Bailey 01952 505766	We perform about 3 concerts a year. Everyone is very welcome,you need to be at least grade 5.
University of Gloucestershire Chamber Orchestra	Ian Higginson	Tuesday 7.30 - 9.30pm, Francis Close Hall, Swindon Road, Cheltenham	Ian Higginson 01242 230455 07788153776	Players are recruited from the University and the community. The orchestra gives performances at venues off campus, very often in churches in Gloucestershire and it occasionally joins with the University choir. It is a very friendly group and anyone interested in joining the University orchestra is warmly invited to contact Ian. We do expect players to be Grade 6 standard or above.
University of Warwick Symphony Orchestra	Colin Touchin	Tuesday evenings.	Music Centre 024 7652-3799	Mainly a student orchestra, occasionally require extras for more esoteric instruments
Walsall Symphony Orchestra	Clive Allsopp Carol Edwards	Forest Community Association, Hawbush Lane, Leamore, Walsall, WS3 1AG. 7:45-9:30pm Mondays during term time.	Andrew Birkbeck	Usually performing 3-4 concerts per year, we are particularly looking for violinists and horn players. Grade 5 standard or above - no audition needed!
Warwick Orchestral Winds	Dan Jones	King Henry VIII School, Coventry Alternate Sundays 10:30-13:00		Warwick Orchestral Winds was formed in 1992. The band draws its members from all over the Midlands, giving concerts in the Warwick and Leamington Spa area. The ensemble has a deserved reputation for programming less well known works together with more traditional and well known classics from the Symphonic Wind repertoire.
The Warwickshire BandNEW	Barney Barnes	Monday evenings 19:30 - 21:30, Central Coventry		A very social and active wind band with many performance opportunities and a large range of repertoire. To get more information please take a look at the website. New players are always welcome, get in touch!
Warwickshire Symphony Orchestra	Guy Woolfenden Jeremy Ballard	Usually Wednesday evenings at Myton School, Myton Road, Warwick	Malcolm Rowson 01926 491785	Drawing players from all over Warwickshire and beyond, this large Symphony Orchestra has a challenging repertoire and gives high quality performances with internationally acclaimed soloists.
West Midlands Concert Band	Stuart Mallen	YMCA, Claverly Drive, Warstones, Wolverhampton on Thursdays at 1930 till 2130.	Claire 01384294292	We are a group of about 50 musicians who have a common interest in playing and performing music. We perform at many venues such as fetes, concert halls, churchs, band stands etc
Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra	Peter Morris Ros Rayner	7.45pm Thursday, Cranmer Methodist Church, Newhampton Road West, Wolverhampton.	Richard Anderson 01902 752755	Formed in 1973 by a group of keen amateur players to satisfy a need for local players to prepare to as high a standard as possible interesting works for public performance.
Worcester Philharmonic Orchestra	Neil Aston	Wednesday 7.30 - 9.30 in the Magdalene Room at St Geoges Church, Barbourne, Worcester	Ian Pattison 01905 453521	A very friendly group rehearsing from September to June each year under a professional conductor and giving four varied concerts each season in Pershore Abbey. New string players always welcome and vacancies exist in the brass section.
Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra	Richard Laing	Thursdays 7:30 - 9:30 at Oldbury Park Primary School in St Johns, Worcester	Helen Morris 01905 424228	We are an established, friendly, well respected orchestra who perform 3 concerts a year in Worcester and surrounding area. A very warm welcome awaits new players - particularly string players of at least grade 7 standard. Please see our website or contact the secretary for more information.
The Wyre Forest Symphony Orchestra	Martin Leigh Jenifer Smith	Usually Stourport Civic Hall, Wednesday 7-30 - 9.30 full orchestra, strings from 7pm.	Richard Brunt 01905 340028	New players are always welcome. There are currently some vacancies in the strings. Players should be a good grade 7 and be prepared to attend weekly rehearsals

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:

Regional Pages