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| Orchestra | Conductor | Leader | Rehearsal Venue/Times | Contact(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Abington Wind BandNEW | Philip Burditt | Sunday evenings at the Music School in Kettering Road, Northampton (entrance in Clare Street), 8:00pm - 10:00pm | Anthony Healey, 01604 629103 | |
| A band open to all and aimed at adult beginners. We try to have strong section leaders to help the other players along and we tackle anything from Monteverdi to the Kaiser Chiefs. There are no auditions, and unless any section gets ridiculously overpopulated, no particular limits on numbers of players. | ||||
| Ashbourne Sinfonia | Thorpe Village hall near Ashborne at 7.30 every Monday | Howard Kilner 01298 84844 | ||
| We play the music of the early eighteenth century and we try to introduce some composers who will be new to most people in the audience, such as Neubauer. The orchestra has grown, but we still have vacancies in all string sections, and are looking for a first oboe. There are no auditions, and we play three or four concerts a year. | ||||
The Bardi Symphony Orchestra | Claus Efland | Adam Summerhayes | Intensive rehearsals before each concert | Mark Penny |
The Boots Orchestra | John Sheppard | Maurice Tulley | Tuesday 7pm to 9pm at the Boots Company Head Office in Beeston, Nottingham | George Cooper 01949 842486 |
| Formed in 1951 by Boots players, we welcome enquiries from all local musicians. We meet weekly to play music of all eras and styles in an enjoyable atmosphere. We give around 3 concerts in the Nottingham area each year for local charities. Please see our website for vacancies - we are currently in need of string players generally. | ||||
Brackley Wind Ensemble | Shaun Humphries | Trish Evans | Wednesday evenings in central Brackley | Trish Evans |
| We are an independent group of enthusiastic wind players. We perform a wide variety of music from traditional classical pieces through to more contemporary works as 'sorcerer's apprentice'. We perform several concerts throughout the year and also Brackley Music festival. For more information please visit our website | ||||
The Charnwood Orchestra | Nic Fallowfield | Jon Barwell | Thursday 7.30 to 9.30pm, Humphrey Perkins High School, Barrow upon Soar, Leics. | Judith Rodgers (Orchestra Secretary) 01509 412063 |
| The Charnwood Orchestra is an amateur orchestra based in Quorn. It performs several concerts a year in Leicester and North Leicestershire, with a rich variety of programmes and the regular participation of superb solo artistes from all over the country. | ||||
Chesterfield Symphony Orchestra | Tom Newall | Edward Boothroyd | Rehearsals are on term time Tuesdays, 7.30 - 9.30 at Ashgate Croft School, Chesterfield. | |
| The orchestra gives 3 concerts a year, usually in the Winding Wheel, Chesterfield. There are vacancies for new members - especially violas!! | ||||
Coalville Light Orchestra | Ted Bottle | Tuesday evenings in term-time 7:15 - 8:45 pm, Newbridge High School, Forest Road, Coalville, Leics | Ted Bottle 01530 834133 | |
| Playing light classical music in a relaxed environment just for the pleasure of it. No public performances so its members can enjoy playing without the spotlights, an audience and intensive rehearsal schedules. It is an organisation that does not take itself too seriously - and is inexpensive! We also have a chamber music section which meets at other times (usually at members homes) to play sonatas, trios, quartets, and more, for various combinations of instruments. | ||||
CoMA East Midlands | Kieran O'Riordan | First Thursday of each month 7-9pm at Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus (Dance Studio). | Anna Claydon | |
| CoMA (Contemporary Music for All) East Midlands. We specialise in new music, whether it be from the pre-existing repertoire (e.g. Cage, Cardrew, Glass), commissioned by CoMA (e.g. Nyman, Smith, Bryars, Harvey) or written by CoMA's own experienced and learning composers. The ensemble (some pieces include vocal work too) is welcome to all although some solid ability to read classical notation is needed for most pieces. | ||||
Djanogly Community Orchestra | John Rayfield | Gill Cubitt | Monday Evening in Nottingham, 7:00-9:15 pm | Dave Lees |
| At the moment we’re on the hunt for another double bass. Any other players, it’s worth getting in touch, but we do have a waiting list for some instruments. Roughly Grade 6 standard, but no exam necessary. | ||||
| Dukeries Community Concert Band | Malcolm Bevan | Tuesday in term time - 7 - 9pm, Dukeries Community College | Linda Adrych | |
| Any players welcome - no standards, no auditions. We have pupils from 10 upwards. Concerts 3 times a year. Please email for more details. | ||||
Friesland Orchestral Society | Mason Thompson | John Birkett | Fridays during school terms 7-00 p.m. to 9-00 p.m. at Brackenfield School, Bracken Road, Long Eaton, Notts. | Ivan Jacklin 0115 9734918 |
| A variety of music is played. New players are very welcome | ||||
Grantham Occasional Orchestral Workshops (GOOW)NEW | Mary Michell | The Guildhall Arts Centre on St Peter’s Hill in Grantham, usually on the first Saturday of each month (please telephone or e-mail before you come). All sessions run from 9.30am to 12.30pm and the attendance fee is £7 per session. | SoundLINCS 01522 510073 | |
| GOOW is one of two ‘occasional orchestras’ in Lincolnshire giving keen amateur orchestral musicians – including those who admit to being a bit out-of-practice – the chance to play together in a friendly and unpressured environment. Newcomers are welcome, even if you’ve not played for a while: we just ask you to be comfortable working from notation. All you need is an instrument – whether woodwind, brass, strings or percussion - plus a music stand and the desire to enjoy making music with others. | ||||
The Isle of Axholme Orchestra | Alan Edgar | Gordon Mumby | Tuesdays 7.00.pm - 9.00 pm South Axholme School, Epworth | Alan Edgar |
| Founded in 2000. 3 concerts a year. No auditions. 45-50 members. Very friendly orchestra playing extensive repertoire - see website. If you want to play orchestral music then this is the orchestra for you | ||||
Eric Darlington with the John Cleveland Band | Eric Darlington | Monday 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. at the John Cleveland College, Hinckley, Leicestershire | Hazel Baker | |
| A “Big Band” playing a range of music including popular classical works, Miller medleys and show tunes, we regularly play concerts in local churches and theatres, and also play for dinner dances and balls, including very popular “1940's nights” at the Heart of the Shires in Northants. New members always welcome. | ||||
Kettering Symphony Orchestra | Peter Dunkley | Carlyn Nash | Monday evenings 7.30 to 9.30pm at Isebrook School, Eastleigh Road, Kettering | |
| A friendly orchestra who perform two concerts a year in the autumn and spring terms and an informal summer term to try something different. We have vacancies for string and brass players so if you are interested please contact us | ||||
Knighton Chamber Orchestra | Paul Jenkins | David Russell | Intensive rehearsals before each concert | Paul Jenkins, 0116 2702572 |
| 4 programmes per year including opera performances with Knighton Opera. Full details on or WEB site | ||||
Leicester Symphony Orchestra | various | Catherine Cole | Usually at Mayflower Church Hall, Ethel Road, Leicester, on Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings leading up to a concert | Pat Dobson 0116 2677372 |
| New players of a good standard are invited to join where there is a vacancy. In particular we would be very interested to hear from violin and double bass players. An extensive repertoire of 19th and 20th century symphonic music is performed. | ||||
| University of Leicester Sinfonia | Michael Sackin | Elizabeth Murphy | University of Leicester, usually on Mon and Weds evenings 7.30-9.30 in run-up to concert, plus the afternoon of the concert | Michael Sackin 0116 270 3310 |
| ULS gives about four concerts per year and strives to combine decent standard with happy atmosphere. We have wonderful concerto soloists, and some concerts are in collaboration with local choral societies. The repertoire ranges from Bach to 21st century, including some extremely rewarding world premieres. | ||||
| Leicestershire Sinfonia | Matthew Lynch | Stephanie Wale | Intensive rehearsals just prior to a concert, Blaby | Matthew Lynch 07966 437 037 |
Lincoln Symphony Orchestra | Neville Turner | Caroline Siriwardena | Canwick Village Hall (on the outskirts of Lincoln) Thursdays at 7.30pm | |
| The orchestra was founded in the 1880s, and currently has around 60 members. We perform 5 concerts a year in the Lincoln area. | ||||
Lincolnshire Philharmonia Orchestra | Neil Brizland and Roderick Dunk | Rowan Patterson | Wednesdays at RAF Cranwell | Malcolm Goodman 01400 262363 |
| A unique musical partnership between the professional musicians from its home base at RAF Cranwell and instrumentalists from around the region. | ||||
The Loughborough Orchestra | Trevor Lax | Zosia Cocker | Burleigh Community College, Loughborough on Monday evenings | Gillian Butcher (Secretary) |
| We are an amateur orchestra of some 40 members who meet weekly to play music in an informal and enjoyable atmosphere. Two or three public concerts, of late eighteenth to early twentieth century music, are given each year. | ||||
| Louth People’s Orchestra | Alison Griffith | Twice monthly on a Sunday afternoon in Louth | Alison Griffiths | |
| There is also a beginners Orchestra which get together for an hour before the main orchestra. | ||||
Market Harborough Orchestra | Barry Sullivan | Intensive rehearsals, just prior to the concert | Jane Callaghan | |
| The Market Harborough Orchestra is a friendly group who welcome adult players (over 16s). No auditions. | ||||
Melton Mowbray Orchestra | John Smith | Alan Walton | Melton Leisure Centre & Theatre, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, LE13 0HJ at 8:00 pm Mondays | Alan Walton 07879 868959 |
| We are a small amateur orchestra of standard Grade 5 upwards. We perform typically 3 or 4 concerts per year, usually in north east Leicestershire. | ||||
Nettleham Orchestral Workshops (NOW) NEW | Mary Michell | The C of E Aided Junior School on Mill Hill in Nettleham, near Lincoln, on the second or third Saturday of each month (please telephone or e-mail before you come). All sessions run from 9.30am to 12.30pm and the attendance fee is £7 per session. | SoundLINCS 01522 510073 | |
| NOW is one of two ‘occasional orchestras’ in Lincolnshire giving keen amateur orchestral musicians – including those who admit to being a bit out-of-practice – the chance to play together in a friendly and unpressured environment. Newcomers are welcome, even if you’ve not played for a while: we just ask you to be comfortable working from notation. All you need is an instrument – whether woodwind, brass, strings or percussion - plus a music stand and the desire to enjoy making music with others. | ||||
| Northampton Baroque PlayersNEW | Derek Skinner | Rehearsals in the Northampton area as required for concerts | Derek Skinner 01604 761836 | |
| An amateur orchestra formed in 2010 with a repertoire of music from the baroque period. Amateur musicians of moderate to good musical standard are invited to join this friendly and easy going orchestra. | ||||
Northampton Concert Orchestra | David Chambers | Thursday evening at the University of Northampton (park campus) Boughton Green Road, 7-30 to 9-30pm. | Christine Irons 01604 770487 | |
| An amateur orchestra formed over 100 years ago with a repertoire of mainly light music. We welcome musicians of moderate to good musical standard to join this friendly and easy going orchestra. | ||||
Northampton Symphony Orchestra | Alexander Walker | Trevor Dyson | Wednesday evenings (term time) from 7.30-9.45pm at Northampton Music School, Kettering Road, Northampton | Pam Dyson 01604 712717 |
| Established in 1893, the orchestra welcomes amateur and semi-professional players and performs 6 times a year in and around Northampton. New players always welcome - see website for details. | ||||
Northamptonshire Orchestral Winds | Andrew Bassey | The main band rehearses from 7:30 until 10:00 on Tuesday evenings in Wellingborough School. | Contact via website | |
| NOW is a friendly, colourful and award-winning symphonic wind orchestra established in October 2005 by its Musical Director, Andrew Bassey. We have three other ensembles supporting and feeding the Main Band - the Intermediate Band, and the Starter Band. NOW is expanding its numbers across all of its ensembles, so please don't hesitate to apply even if you haven't played for a while. | ||||
Nottingham Concert Band | Robert Parker | Jesse Gray School on Musters Road in West Bridgford each Tuesday evening | Jeff Fry (Chairman) | |
| Part of the musical landscape of the East Midlands since 1991, Nottingham Concert Band is an independent and entirely self-financing community windband based in West Bridgford, South Nottingham. The band draws on a diversity of musical styles, from classical transcriptions to contemporary compositions and from film and show compilations to big band favourites, and an extensive repertoire ensures a different programme for each performance. | ||||
Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra | Mark Heron (Music Director) | Janet Hall | 6 rehearsals prior to each concert in the season - Tuesday evenings | Jean Kelly (Administrator) David Leeder (Orchestra Liaison) |
| The NPO was founded in 1974 originally as the Nottingham Sinfonietta. We play five concerts in each season in and around Nottingham. Many of our players are professional instrument teachers. New members are selected by audition. | ||||
Nottingham Symphonic Wind Orchestra | Keiron Anderson | Gill Henshaw | Every Sunday Morning in term time, Bluecoat School, Aspley Lane, Nottingham | Margaret Frogson 0115 9410543 |
| If you are an advanced level wind, brass or percussion player (generally Grade 8+) and prepared to give up your Sunday mornings, then we'd love to hear from you! We are always keen to hear from talented, committed players on any instrument, and at the moment we are looking particularly for tuba, horn and oboe players. | ||||
Nottingham Symphony Orchestra | Derek Williams | Alex Hodgson | Rushcliffe Leisure Centre, West Bridgford, Nottingham, Monday evenings | Philip Hawker |
| We are a weekly rehearsing amateur orchestra and normally play four concerts each year. See our web site for further information. | ||||
Nottinghamshire Police BandNEW | Gary Glover ARCM | Wednesdays, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm, in our own rooms near St. Mary's Gate, Nottingham Town Centre, near Fletchergate Car Park (NG1 2FZ) and handy for the Tram. | Rachel Wood | |
| We would describe ourselves as a group of serious amateurs, with most members being able to pass grade 6 or above, and many playing to a standard of grade 8 (or armed forces A1). You do not need to be employed by a Police Force to join the band, it really is a community band open to musicians from all walks of life and of a good standard of playing. We're keen to hear from players of the Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Euphonium, Trumpet / Cornet, Tuba and Percussion (Kit experience would be most useful). | ||||
| Peak Chamber Orchestra NEW | Glyn Davies | Howard Kilner | Methodist Church in Calver in Hope Valley District in North Derbyshire every Tuesday | Glyn Davies 01433 630689 Howard Kilner 01298 84844 |
| We meet every Tuesday to play mainly the traditional classics but with an occasional foray into the works of lesser-known composers. We are looking for string players of about grade 6 standard, though the most important thing is that you enjoy playing. | ||||
Roade Community Orchestra | Ian Riley | Roade Primary School, Hartwell Road, Roade, Northants NN7 2NT, 6.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. in school term times | Ian Riley 07976 427396 | |
| Our members include children and adults with an age range of over 70 years! Some are learning to play, some have dusted off an old instrument from the attic and others are very able musicians keen to pass on their skills. Our repertoire is mixed including classical, film themes, musicals, pop and rock scores, folk and jazz. See the website for more information. | ||||
Rusty Players of Oundle | Vince Davy | 1st Monday, 3rd Wednesday in each month - in or near Oundle | Chris Gill | |
| Formed in November 2009, the RPO exists to give an opportunity to adults who may be returning to playing after a break, or to good instrumentalists keen to develop a second instrument. We have great fun rehearsing, steadily exploring new repertoire and improving our ensemble playing. We may get around to giving some informal performances later this year! Generally Grade VIII to Grade III - all welcome, no auditions. Currently 25-strong, but we still need more violins, violas, cellos, a double bass - plus one or two additional brass. | ||||
Soar Valley Music Centre Symphony OrchestraNEW | Nik Coley and Amit Chandrasingh | Thursdays 6:30pm-8:15pm during term time, Soar Valley Music Centre, Claremont Street, Leicester, LE4 7QG | Cheryl Taylor, 0116 2664153 Liz Dunn, 0116 2664153 | |
| The Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1974 by Liz Dunn and is primarily a youth orchestra for musicians at Grade 4 standard or higher, although we have a wide range of ages and anyone is welcome. The Symphony Orchestra has a full season of concerts at venues including St James the Greater church on London Road, The Claremont Centre in Belgrave and Birstall Methodist Church. As well as the season of concerts in the UK, the orchestra also gives the musicians a chance to tour abroad. Recent tours have included Canada, Ireland, Lisbon, and Spain. Repertoire includes popular and traditional classics as well as music from films and musicals. No auditions. | ||||
Southwell Orchestral Society | John Sheppard | Bill Hainsworth | 7-30 p.m. Wednesday evening in the W.I. Hall, Queen Street, Southwell, Notts | Hon Secretary John Sheppard 01636 815108 Alan Davis |
| A wide variety of music is rehearsed. Three or four concerts are performed each year, one of these being Carols for Everyone in Southwell Minster. New players of any standard are always welcome. | ||||
Vale of Belvoir Wind Orchestra | Ashley Parnell | Aimee Parnell | Wednesday 7.15pm - 9.15pm at Robert Miles Junior School Bingham, Nottingham | Sarah Parnell 07530 924252 |
| New ensemble who have a passion for making music in a friendly social atmosphere working towards concert performances and raising money for charity along the way. We have a wide ranging repertoire if you have enthusiasm, commitment and a sense of humour we would love to hear from you. | ||||
Watling Wind EnsembleNEW | Stella Macereth | Thursday (term-time) 7-9pm St Francis Community Centre, Tudor Rd, Hinckley, Leicestershire | Joanne 01455 631694 | |
| We are currently recruiting new members. Wind and percussion players of any age of a minimum grade 4 standard are welcome. | ||||
Wirksworth Area Community Orchestra | Adam Green | Louise Maskill | Full rehearsals every other Thursday with some sectional rehearsals on alternate Thursdays | Denise Boddy 01629 824055 |
| WACO's aim is to provide an opportunity to people of all ages to participate and enjoy themselves within an orchestral ensemble. A wide repertoire of popular orchestral music is played. | ||||
| 44 Entries | ||||
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:
ku.gro.sartsehcroruetama@ffoeg
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Abington Wind Band