Amateur Orchestras - North West England

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Orchestra	Conductor Leader	Rehearsal Venue/Times	Contact	Notes
Abney Orchestra	Rachael Howarth Fiona Liddy	Friday evenings 7pm to 9pm at Abney Church, Huddersfield Rd, Mossley. Starter Orchestra 5:30 to 6:30	Rachael Howarth 07870988263 Website queries	We welcome anyone, young or old. Present members ages range from 10 to retired. Very friendly group. Several small local concerts each year. Come and have fun. DESPERATELY looking for brass, particularly trumpets and tuba.
The Alderley Edge Orchestra	Timothy Kendal Tim Jones	Thursday evenings at Scout Headquarters, Talbot Road, Alderley Edge from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm.	Roger Dowling 01925 756390	Gives three concerts each year in November, March and May, and holds a full-day orchestral workshop at the end of November each year.
Amaretti Chamber Orchestra	Louise Latham Mary Anderson / Brigid Rawling	Two Sundays before concerts	Peter Aggett Brigid Rawling	Small string orchestra, established in 2004, playing in South Manchester area
Biddulph & District Youth Orchestra (BDYO)NEW	Ian Pickford	Friday 6.45 - 9.15 p.m.	Adam Smith (Orchestra Member) General Contact	See bdyo.org.uk for more info
Blackburn Symphony Orchestra	Mark Heron, Richard Davis, Richard Howarth Carol Box	Tuesday evenings (during term-time) at St Mary's College, Blackburn from 7.15 – 9.30pm.	Margaret Popham 01254 813692	String players are always welcome to join the orchestra. Informal auditions are held for wind and brass players when vacancies arise.
Blackpool Symphony Orchestra	Keith Hatton	Friday evenings at Blackpool VI Form College	Ian Edmundson 01253 734410 Marjorie Pennington 01772 682987	We play five concerts a year. Four concerts in October to April and a summer concert of lighter music in June. New string players (especially violins) are always welcome.
The Bolton Chamber Orchestra	Cherry Vann	Tuesdays 7:30 - 9:30 Mere Hall, Bolton	Roger Whitehouse 01204 492667 Cherry Vann 0161 678 1454	Bolton Chamber Orchestra is an amateur orchestra that has been performing in Bolton for nearly 50 years. We perform three concerts a year in and around the Bolton Area. We currently have vacancies for violists.
The Bolton Symphony Orchestra, Bolton Sinfonietta	Bob Chasey vacant	All in the week leading up to the concert	David Greenhalgh	We occasionally have a small number of vacancies. If you are interested in being a part of this exciting group please use the form on our website.
Chester Philharmonic Orchestra	David Chatwin Sarah Jessop	Monday evenings at 7.30pm, All Saints Church, Hoole Road, Chester.	Mary Dentschuk, secretary	We give about 5 concerts a year. We are currently seeking to recruit viola and double bass players, and have some vacancies for brass players (all sections). Good string players are always welcome.
Chester Wind Band	Ian Robinson	Monday evening at Blacon High School between 7-9pm.	John Collins (chair person) 01244 659211	The Band are looking for new members and have a variety of instruments available. It’s first come, first served!
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!!
Colne Orchestral SocietyNEW	Judith David	Mondays 7.30pm - 9.30pm Bethel Chapel, Burnley Rd, Colne, Lancashire	Justine Wormwell - Secretary	We are a friendly amatuer orchestra based in Colne, Lancashire and were founded in 1891! We have two concerts per year, one in March and one in November. New members are always welcome.
Con FuocoNEW		Wednesdays, 7.30pm – 9pm, Chester	Tracy Grant 0788 444 2331 Andrea Grant	Con Fuoco has been in existence for over 15 years, we are a small, informal and friendly group of wind instrument players – currently flute, oboe, clarinets and bass clarinet. We are actively recruiting new members for our Wednesday rehearsals – all wind very welcome. We play a variety of music, from Mozart to The Beatles. We are mixed ability, no rehearsals, all fun.
Congleton Youth Orchestra	Eddie Garrard Heather Procter	Saturday mornings during term time	Helen Chappel – Secretary	The ages of the orchestra members range from 9 years up to 25 years. Younger players have their own Wind Tutor and String Tutor (Grade 2 upward) who run separate rehearsals as and when required. The Intermediate players are integrated into the main orchestra as soon as practicable. String players are particularly welcome, and we currently also have vacancies for flute players, and french horn players.
Crosby Symphony Orchestra	Robert Sells Henry Gibson	Fridays 7.45 pm to 10 pm at Blundellsands United Reformed Church, Warren Road		Gives 3/4 concerts per year in Liverpool/North Wales. New string players always welcome.
Crumpsall Concert Wind Band	Derek Farnell Derek Farnell	Wednesday evenings 7:30 – 9:45 pm	Derek Farnell: 0161 740 7778 Cyril Weinkove	We aim for at least 4 concerts per year. Currently we desperately need euphonium, tuba and trombone players of any level of competence. Training is provided on site.
Fylde Concert OrchestraNEW	Brian Hughes LGSM Ron White	One Sunday in three, 2.30 to 4.45 at United Reformed Church Annexe, Clifton Drive Nth, St Annes	Jane Foster 01253 351020	A friendly group, we enjoy playing light music and give about six concerts/events a year. Our concert proceeds finance our expenses, so players don't pay subscriptions. We also benefit from an arranger-in-residence, often reviving old music into a playable modern idiom. String players are especially welcome, but we also have vacancies for wind and brass players.
Fylde Sinfonia	Peter Buckley Karen Rouse	The Drive Methodist Church, Clifton Drive South, St Annes FY8 1LH	Peter Buckley tel. 01253 725510	We do 3 regular concerts a year, plus others by invitation. We always welcome new string players.
The Gorton Philharmonic Orchestra	Simon Bowler Brigid Rawling	Sunday mornings, usually from 10.15am. to 12.30pm, Cedar Mount High School, Matthews Lane, Gorton	John Boydell	Manchester’s Oldest Orchestra!
Hale Light Orchestra	Alan Nuttall	Monday evenings from 7.45 p.m. until approximately 9.45 p.m. at Hale United Reformed Church	Chairman 01925-756650 Hon. Secretary 0161-928-9618	The Orchestra is always delighted to welcome new members, both playing and non-playing. We always have vacancies for String players—especially violins and violas, and a further percussionist would also be very welcome. We have a vacancy for a second Oboe.
Hazel Grove OrchestraNEW	Mehrdad Bakhshayesh	Thursday 7:30 till 10:00 pm Methodist Church, Wesley Street, Hazel Grove.	Mehrdad Bakhshayesh	We always have vacancies for experienced and enthusiastic musicians, so if you enjoy playing beautiful music in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere, then come and join us on Thursday evenings! You will be warmly welcomed!
Heswall Concert Band	Liam Crawford	Sundays Sandy Lane Scout Hall, Heswall 0945 - 1200 hours	Dr J L Booth FRCR 0151-342-1944	A Concert Band formed in 1996, playing all types of music. Urgently wanted are an oboe and tuba. We play from 5 - 12 concerts a year and at least one is for Charity.
High Peak Orchestra	Andrew Hodkinson Cornelia Pratt-Hartmann	Mechanics Institute, Whaley Bridge, Monday evenings	Peter Aggett 01663 719400	New string players are always welcome, and there are also occasional vacancies for wind players.
Hope Park Concert Band	Anne James	Tuesday 6.-7.15pm at Hope Park, Taggart Avenue, Liverpool. L16 9JD	Anne James Ben Toleman	Woodwind and brass players are all welcome - you need to be at least grade 5 standard. We rehearse and perform a variety of music including traditional wind band repertoire as well popular film score arrangements etc. Players of all ages are welcome. Hope University students and staff play as well as musicians from the community including talented young people, those who are rekindling an interest in performing, retired people and local music teachers. We are particularly keen to recruit brass players but all are welcome!
Jan Modelski Orchestra	John Modelski	Saturday mornings (occasionally Sunday) in Upton Village Hall, Heath Road, Upton-by-Chester, at 9.30 am	John Modelski 07818 027157 Andy Baker 07801 141 773	The orchestra was founded in 2001 to enable musicians of all ages and abilities to participate in a performing orchestra. The atmosphere is friendly, informal and geared towards encouraging the best performances from its members and aiding their musical development. An annual concert is held in July and the orchestra occasionally performs away from its base in Upton. New members are welcome and we try to cater for as wide a range of instruments as possible.
Jubili Orchestral Youth	Helen Davies Rachel Melling	Wednesday evenings, Ormskirk	Helen Davis Alan Oldfield	JOY is made up of three ensembles; The Symphony Orchestra, The Wind Orchestra and The String Orchestra in which members progress according to their own musical aspirations and abilities. There are over 60 musicians from various schools and colleges ranging in age from 6 to 20. JOY performs three concerts each season; a Christmas, Easter and summer concert, which follows a week long orchestral training camp.
King Edward Music Society	Anthony Houghton	Tuesday evenings from 7.45pm until 9.45pm at the Mafeking Hall on South Park Road, Macclesfield.		As with many amateur music societies applications to join are especially welcome from brass, percussion and string players, however, if you are interested and don't fit one of those categories please do still contact us.
Lancashire Chamber Orchestra	Kenneth Woods Anne Heaton	3 Sunday rehearsals before a concert. Rehearsals in Heskin and/or Wilmslow	Georgina Williamson	We are a string orchestra which promotes 3 of our own concerts each year, and also performs with choral societies throughout the North West. We are keen to recruit string players of Grade 8 standard and above.
Lancaster Community Music CentreNEW		Saturday mornings at Lancaster Royal Grammar School	07866-289545	LCMC has over 20 individual ensembles ranging from Mini Music Makers for the under fives through to a Show Band and Symphony Orchestra. Members are of all ages and can join a range of ensembles for different abilities for the four main strands Strings, Wind/Brass, Choir and Recorders.
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Orchestra		Tuesdays during term-time, 7.30 - 10.00 at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. Safe underground car-parking.	Monica Nurnberg 0151 727 2441	We give about 6 concerts a year, both orchestral and choral (with our Cantata Choir). String players (Grade 8 and above) are always welcome, especially violins. We also have vacancies for brass and percussion.
Liverpool Mozart Orchestra	Mark Heron Andrew Winter	Four consecutive Thursday evenings (7.15 - 10.00pm) prior to each concert	John Cunningham - 0151 722 9758	Gives four main concerts each year at Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead
Liverpool String Orchestra	Neil Jackson	Monday evening 7.15pm during term time, Ullet Road Unitarian Church Hall Liverpool	Peter Dobson 0151 327 7169	New members of any string section are most welcome. The first Bass player to join will have a term's membership FREE
The Lowry Strings Group	Colin Green	Friday evenings 7.30pm - 9pm term time, Westwood Community Centre, Grasmere Crescent, Eccles (five minutes from Junc 13 on the M60)	Colin Green 0161 278 0340	Lowry Strings is an Adult String Group for beginner/intermediate standard string players. New members always welcome.
Lymm Concert Band	Darren C. Wood	Thursdays 8pm - 10pm at Lymm United Reformed Church (Hall), Brookfield Road Lymm WA13 0QL	Darren Wood	We are a friendly and welcoming group who perform at least 4 concerts per year. We perform a wide variety of music from traditional material to music from the stage and screen. We ALWAYS welcome new players and are looking to increase our numbers. If you play a Woodwind, Brass or Percussion instrument, come and 'give us a go!'
Lytham Light Orchestra	Michael Hall	The Visual Noise Arts Centre, Blackpool	Sheila Johnston Margaret Chew, tel; 01772 856892, fax: 01772 852924	We are a small friendly orchestra who play light classical music and songs from the shows. We have approx. 3 concerts a year (Sun) and support the Michael Hall Theatre School with their concerts on Marton, Blackpool. We welcome any players from approx. Grade 4 standard -especially 1st violins.
Lytham St Annes Guardian Concert BandNEW	Paul Cooper	Park Street, Methodist Church, Lytham, Tuesday evenings 7.45pm – 9.30pm	Chairman Jim Fraser 07714 241860	A well established band of approx 30 players of all ages and backgrounds. We're very friendly and welcome all new players with no auditions. We prefer grade 5+ but anyone is welcome for a blow; we're particularly looking for lower brass...bass, euph etc and percussion at the moment.
Manchester Beethoven Orchestra	Frank Lennon Luke Johnson	Tuesday evenings from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm during term time at Manchester High School for Girls, Grangethorpe Road, Manchester		We are a group of musicians dedicated to playing good music, enjoying ourselves, and helping to raise money for charities at the same time. Admission to our concerts is usually free but collections are made for the charity sponsored by each concert.
Moor Park Light Orchestra NEW	Don Bateman Ronald White	Fridays, 7.30 to 9.30 pm. Hall at the rear of Park Road Methodist Church, Chorley.	Don Bateman 01257 272708 Joy Hiller 01257 264493	We play music for our own pleasure and also give 3 or 4 concerts each year. Our repertoire is mixed including some classics and some music from the shows. We play music that is usually Grade V standard and above. New players are very welcome. Please give us a ring, or just come along and join the fun.
Nantwich and District band	Stewart Thompson	Wednesday 7.15-9pm Brookfield Hall Shrewbridge Road Road Nantwich Cheshire	Stewart Thompson	We are a community based group of around 35 brass wind and percussion who give around 15 engagements a year. We welcome all players but in particular some tuned percussion/timpanist and a tubas or two bolster our numbers. We have no minimum entry standard but grade 3 is a good level for 2nd/3rd parts. We also have a training band for beginners.
North Cheshire Wind Orchestra	Catherine Parsonage / Mark Heron	Friday 7:30 - 9:45 pm at Bridgewater High School, Lower School Site, Hall Drive, Appleton, Warrington	Sue Franklin 01925 261802	Wind Orchestra with a regular 4 concert season at the Pyramid Arts Centre, Warrington. Current vacancies for trumpets, horns and percussion. Please contact us to enquire about other possible vacancies.
Oldham Symphony Orchestra		Monday evenings between 19:30 and 21:30 in the Chadderton area of Oldham (Turf Lane Community Centre).	Hazel Buckley (Secretary) Jane Armstrong (Chair)	There are usually three concerts a year, towards the end of each school term. The music is varied, with classical favourites interspersed with some challenging (usually to play rather than to listen to!) more contemporary works. We are always looking to strengthen the orchestra and would particularly welcome string and brass players
Orchestre Y Ffiniau		Tuesday evening at 7.30pm @ The Scout Hut, Broughton, Deeside. Nr Chester		We would particularly welcome all Strings Sections. 4/5 Concerts per year.
Ormskirk Music Society	Jim Cooke Janet Hitchen	Thursday evenings, 7.30 - 9.30, at Ormskirk School, Wigan Rd., Ormskirk.	Chairman: Brian Boothroyd	Ormskirk Music Society comprises a choir and orchestra which perform four concerts a year in Ormskirk, Lancashire.
Phoenix Concert Orchestra (Liverpool)	Jill Hyde Christine Bratherton	Usually the 2nd and 4th Mon in each month from 8pm-10pm, except July and August. Held at Sefton Cricket Club, Croxteth Drive, Sefton Park, Liverpool L17	Jill Hyde 0151 486 6944	A well established orchestra, holding concerts three times a year. We have a large selection of light orchestral music suited to musicians of Grade 6 standard and above. Players in all sections welcome.
Phoenix Strings	John Foster	Fleetwood, North of Blackpool. Wednesdays 7-9pm.		A new string ensemble for adults, bridging the gap between individual lessons and a full orchestra. Ideal for returners to playing, or late starters. All levels of ability welcome.
Port Sunlight Orchestra	Eric Jennings Rosemary Sims	Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight, Wirral, 7:30 - 10:00 pm on Mondays during season (September - end of April)	David Thomas (Secretary), 0151-678-7335	Based at the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight, where we play four concerts a year, with 1 or 2 outside engagements. Some of our string sections currently need reinforcing - violinists and double bass players especially welcome!
Preston Concert Band	Graham Hickey Claire Beaumont	Thursdays 7-9pm St Walburges Church Hall, PR2 2QE	Sue Hickey (secretary) 01772 654438 Clair Parkinson(chair) 01772 736871	Concerts through-out the years at events and parks. Music from classical,the shows ,films and new contemporary music.
The Rehearsal Orchestra	Levon Parikian Edmund Reid	Weekend courses in London and Manchester; annual week-long course at the Edinburgh Festival	Anne-Marie Norman 020 7820 9994	Not a regular weekly orchestra, nor strictly amateur, but has for many years rehearsed and played in London as well as around the country
Sale Chamber Orchestra	Richard Howarth David Usher	Monday evenings in Sale, Cheshire.		String Chamber Orchestra but we do import wind and brass players for concerts that require them. Between 3-6 concerts per year
Salford Symphony Orchestra	Barrie McKinnon Jon Henderson	Moorside High School in Swinton, on Wednesday evenings at 7:30.	Christine Clarkson (orchestra manager) 0161-737 4126	Re-formed in 1995, the Orchestra aims to provide local people with interesting programmes, performing four concerts per year and also platform opportunities for talented musicians (amateur and professional). Vacancies for string players.
The Saturday Morning Orchestra	Carol Box	Saturday mornings 10:00 - 12:15 at the United Reformed Church, Woodlands Parkway, Timperley	0161 928 5616	Music is arranged to suit all abilities and we hold three fun charity concerts each year. The age range of our members at the moment is, 12 - 68 years old. Just turn up for a trial if you wish.
South Liverpool Rehearsal Orchestra	Dr Ian Sharp Geoff Pelligrini	Tuesdays in term time 7.30pm-9.30pm at Liverpool Hope University (Woolton site)	Peter Drury 0151 722 4941 Dr Sharp	Small subscription, 30 rehearsals a year, 1 concert, all welcome, no auditions.
The Southport Orchestra.		Tuesday 8pm - 10pm at St. Francis of Assissi Church, Folkestone Road, Kew, Southport.		We are a friendly group of around 30 members and perform three concerts a year, usually December, March and June/July. We are currently seeking Cellists, Violinists and trumpet players. There are no vacancies in the woodwind section at present.
Stockport Symphony Orchestra	various	Concentrated rehearsals take place in the 3 weeks before a concert	Heather Henshall 01625 251819	We are a large Symphony Orchestra of high standard who give 8 concerts a year in Stockport Town Hall.
The Trafford Light Orchestra	Darren C. Wood Fliss Wood	Wednesdays 8pm – 10pm at the Platt Lane Methodist Church on Platt Lane, South Manchester.	Darren Wood	We are looking to recruit players in all areas of the orchestra. The Trafford Light Orchestra has recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary and is looking to become even stronger and more vibrant in the years to come.
Vale Royal String Orchestra	Richard Howarth Mary Anderson	15 per year spread within school terms	David Whalley - Orchestra manager - 01606 79697 Margaret Parks-Smith	The 23 - 25 member string orchestra rehearses at Appleton Thorne Village Hall. Each year 3 formal concerts are performed for charity at various locations in the North West. Also, one extended string orchestra workshop (60 last time) is held at Antrobus Village Hall. Audio/Video excerpts from several previous concerts are available in the web site.
The Vivaldi Ensemble	Isabel Stoppani-Lawless	Alternate Monday Evenings, 7.30 - 9.45pm, at Fallowfield Bowling & Lawn Tennis Club, 81 Wellington Road,Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6BN	Kate Johnson, 07980 506530	We are a string/chamber ensemble based in central Manchester. We are currently have vacancies for violinists, grade 7 or above, and a harpsichordist, please contact via email, phone or our webpage for more details of the group.
Werneth Concert Band	Allan Jones	Tuesday evening, 7.30 - 9.30, at Bredbury Green Primary School, Clapgate, Romiley, Stockport, during term time.	Mrs. C. Murphy	The band was formed 25 years ago by its present Musical Director and gives 6 - 8 concerts a year, at venues including the Royal Northern College of Music and The Forum Theatre, Romiley. The band has twice won the Gold award in the Community Band class of the Boosey & Hawkes National Concert Band Festival. The band accepts players of Grade V standard or above.
Wilmslow Symphony Orchestra	Kenneth Woods, Juan Ortuño, Peter Stallworthy and Mark Heron Jem Bradley	Friday evenings in Honford Hall Community Centre in Handforth, 7.30pm	Ros Wood, secretary	There are always vacancies for good string players. The range of music means that vacancies can also arise in the wind, brass and percussion sections.
Wirral Co-operative Orchestra	Mike Cupit	Thursday evenings of every school term in Birkenhead	Jeremy Eyre 0151 652 4765	We would welcome any new members, but would be particularly delighted to see string-players!
Wirral Symphony Orchestra	Jonathan Small Martin Gillett	Thursday 7.30pm during term time at Hoylake Chapel, Meols Drive, Hoylake	Rod Tann, secretary 0151 625 1234 (evenings)

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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