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| Orchestra | Conductor Leader |
Rehearsal Venue/Times | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Abingdon Concert Band | Philip Burditt | Thursday evenings at Dunmore Primary School in Abingdon (8:00pm - 10:00pm). | Kathy Wilcox | Friendly community wind band who rehearse and perform concerts in and around Abingdon, just south of Oxford. We currently have vacancies for brass players (ideally of grade 5 standard or higher) so would welcome enquiries from anyone who would be interested in joining us. |
Aldworth Philharmonic Orchestra | Andrew Taylor Neil Maclean | Sunday 2 weeks prior, whole weekend prior and weekend of the concert | Rebecca Stewardson Melissa Ward | APO is a friendly orchestra primarily for busy people who can’t commit to weekly rehearsals. We especially encourage younger people who reached a high standard in youth orchestras, but whose busy lives lead them to put down their instruments, to rediscover orchestral playing. Nevertheless, we are very welcoming to all ages! We put on four concerts a year, usually in October, January, April and and June. |
| Allegro Wind Bands | Kevin Riley (AWB) Paul Johnson (JuniorBand) | Junior Band - Monday evenings 5-45 to 6-45 AWB - Wednesday evenings 6.30 to 8.00 Harrow Way School Andover | Paul Johnson 01264-339965 | |
Allington Strings | Wendy Staal Janet Lane | Monday evenings, fortnightly at St Mary's School, Bridport | Sue Smith (chairman) Wendy Staal | A friendly string orchestra who would welcome new members. We are currently rehearsing Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings for concert on 1 May at St John's, West Bay. Future music likely to include Schubert Death and the Maiden and Mozart Eine Kleine Nachtmusik |
Alton Concert Orchestra | Graham Cross Mac Newton | Wednesdays during term time: 7:30-9:30. Amery Hill School, Alton. | Chris Leggett. 01730 893032. | ACO serves the local community and provides a friendly and supportive forum for all musicians who enjoy playing in an ensemble. All ages and abilities welcomed. We give three concerts a year, raising money for local community charities. |
Andover Light Orchestra | Kevin Riley Karen Snook | Thursday Evening 7.15-9.00 | | Concerts performed throughout the year at various venues |
The Ashford Baroque Ensemble | Philip Buckmaster | St Matthew's Church, Church Road, Ashford, Middx. Fortnightly on Monday evenings | Philip Buckmaster 020 8751 5315 | Enthusiastic players wanted! Modern instruments accepted. We play music from c.1575-c.1775. Grade 8+ standard. Please visit our web site for more details and sound clips. |
Aylesbury Concert Band | Duncan Stubbs | Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School, 7.30 - 9.45pm Wednesdays. | John Dablin 01296 433763 | A friendly community band which welcomes woodwind and brass players, preferably grade 4 or above |
Aylesbury Orchestra | Jacques Cohen Mark Warner | Wednesdays 7.30 - 9.30pm, Aylesbury Music Centre, Walton Rd, Aylesbury HP21 7ST | Roy Harrison | |
| Aylesbury Youth Orchestra | Hugh Molloy | Saturdays during term time 9.00-11.00am. Age range - up to 18. | 01296 437392 | One of the UK’s leading Music Centre Youth Orchestras: Winners of Outstanding Performance Award, National Festival of Music for Youth. Exciting repertoire, friendly atmosphere. |
Banbury Symphony Orchestra | Paul Willett Anna Fleming | Banbury School during term-time on Tuesday evenings, 7.30 - 9.30pm. | Anna Fleming | Since 1961 the orchestra has been a platform for local amateur and professional musicians to come together to practice and perform the better-known (and some less well-known) pieces from the classical orchestral repertoire. |
| Basic StringsNEW | J D Jenkins Jill Jenkins ARCM | Fortnightly Monday evenings and Friday afternoons in the Brockenhurst area | J D Jenkins | Basic strings is for beginners and improvers and provides an intense and dedicated training opportunity. |
Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra | Stephen Scotchmer Rebecca Totterdell | Friday evenings in Basingstoke | Anne Smith, Personnel Secretary | The BSO does three concerts a year in The Anvil, Basingstoke’s prestigious concert hall, generally in mid November, mid March and late June. |
Beech Hill Concert Band | Tony Wythe | 8pm at Beech Hill Village Hall, RG7 1AA | Tony Wythe 01635 297 609 | A high quality wind band which carries out a number of concerts throughout the year for various charities. We play a wide variety of music of varying difficulty. We are currently seeking an additional Trombone player and an additional French horn player. If you are around grade 8 standard then please contact us. We are also seeking an additional percussionist (drum kit). |
Beenham Band | Robert Roscoe | 7.30pm to 9.45pm on Fridays during term time, in Beenham, RG7 5NN | Simon Witcomb 01635 869869 | Beenham band is a friendly and thriving concert band which has been established for over 10 years. Described in a recent review of our concert in the Mortimer festival as ""gifted but essentially amateur musicians"", we play a wide variety of music ranging from popular classics to music from the movies and swing numbers. With over 35 members and a full range of instruments you can expect a rich and lively sound! Our conductor certainly continues to stretch the band and find an interesting range of music to cater for the whole band. |
Bournemouth and District Concert Band | | Thursday evenings from 7.30-9.30pm at Queen's Park Infants School, East Way, Bournemouth BH8 9PU | Band Chairman | Approx 40pc Community Wind band. Established 18yrs. |
Bournemouth Philharmonic Society | Sam Newgarth, MBE Janet Fortnum | Wednesday at 7.30 at St Peter's Catholic School | George Barker 01425 479012 | Bournemouth-based orchestra giving several concerts a year in the Hampshire/Dorset area. New players always welcome. We are especially recruiting 2nd trumpet, tuba and strings. |
Bournemouth Rehearsal Orchestra | Andrew Cowen Brian Howells | Talbot House, Bournemouth University, Wallisdown, Bournemouth. 1930-2150 Mondays during term time. | Graham 01929 551050 | Play classical music in a friendly environment, without the pressure of performances whilst still aiming to improve ensemble playing and musicianship. |
Bracknell & Wokingham Wind Band | Marc Edwards Sarah Waite | 8pm Wednesday (During term time) Open Learning Centre, Rectory Lane, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7GR | Marc Edwards Alan Yates | BWCB was launched in Jan 2008 and is a 60 piece wind band performing publicly several times a year. Open to all grade 5 and above. Please visit website for more details. |
Brunel University Chamber Orchestra | Michael Sanderson Genevieve Haughey | Monday evenings, 7.30-9.30pm Recital Room, Lecture Centre, Brunel University, Cleveland Road, Uxbridge | Jay Wilkinson /Karen Lamb 01895 266074 | Friendly University-based orchestra welcomes new members, particularly strings and lower woodwind. 4 concerts each year with wide repertoire. |
Buckingham Chamber Orchestra | Guest conductors Rotates among the players | Tuesdays, Holy Trinity Church, Gawcott, Near Buckingham, Bucks | Catherine Gough (fixer) John Alexander (chair) | The BCO was formed in 2004 and has performs in Buckingham and the surrounding area. We also hold regular repertoire evenings. The music we play is founded in the classical era, but we are not afraid to stray! There are infrequent vacancies in the woodwind and brass sections, but we are always happy to hear from good strings (grade 8+). |
The Burford Orchestra | Sean Frankcom | Monday evenings, 7.30, Witney Community Primary School | Andy Bettle 07984 492976 | Based in Witney, Oxfordshire, The Burford Orchestra gives three concerts a year in and around West Oxfordshire. New players, especially string and brass players, are always welcome to come and join a friendly fun local orchestra. |
The Bushey Symphony Orchestra | George Vass Richard Spenceley | Tuesdays 19:45-22:00 Bushey Hall School, London Rd, Bushey, Herts | Mike Brien | The Bushey Symphony Orchestra, a highly regarded part of the local community currently celebrating its thirtieth year, gives a minimum of five concerts per season with a wide variety of repertoire from the baroque to the present day. Some vacancies exist in the violin, viola and cello sections, and we are currently looking for a second flute doubling piccolo. Grade 8 upwards please |
Charity Symphony Orchestra | Craig Lawton Christopher Tarrant | Intense but fun rehearsals on concert day. Concerts usually put together in a day. | Craig Lawton | The orchestra is open to anyone that love playing great music and meeting new people. The Charity Symphony Orchestra performs up to 3 times a year and pile concert and rehearsal into just 1 day! Southampton Area. |
Chiltern Camerata | Simon Lambros Linda Miller | Approximately fortnightly in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire during school term time | Richard Cox Dick Morbey | An adult orchestra which meets approximately fortnightly in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire during school term time. Our aim is to enjoy making music and to stage about three concerts per year, sometimes including concerts for children. Often we combine with wind players, and various soloists to offer a wider range of music than the typical string repertoire. |
Chiltern Edge Orchestral Society | Fa Fa Jin Rebecca Hart | Tuesday, 7.30, Chiltern Edge School, Sonning Common, near Reading | Ruth Winchester 0118 972 2164 | Adult Orchestra, meeting weekly for 28 weeks with informal concerts at Xmas and before we break up at the end of May. String and brass players particularly welcome. |
Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra | Robert Roscoe Melissa Lynch | St Johns Church Hall, Waterloo Rd, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7NT. Monday evenings, 7.45 - 10 pm | Ruth Winchester 0118 972 2164 | We are an enthusiastic, light-hearted group who make music for enjoyment’s sake, but who take rehearsals, practice and concerts seriously. Players are of all ages and come from all walks of life. We give 3 concerts a year performing varied and challenging programmes including popular classics as well as less well-known pieces. Players of the following instruments are welcome: – Violin – Viola – Double Bass – Trumpet – Trombone |
Da Capo (Do All Come And Play Orchestra) | Patsy Moore | Padworth Village Hall (between Reading and Newbury) on Thursdays from 19.30-21.30 in term time | Patsy Moore 0118 9832098 | No minimum standard is set, and the orchestra offers a friendly and supportive introduction to playing in a conducted group. For "beginners, returners and rusties". |
Da Capo WindsNEW | Len Tyler | Monday evenings during term time: 7 - 8.30 at Yateley School, School Lane, Yateley, Hants, GU46 6NW | Len Tyler 01276 34820 | Da Capo Winds is a concert band for both children and adults. Much emphasis is places on training with the use of the Kodaly approach much in evidence at each rehearsal. Da Capo Winds rehearses during term time only and performs three concerts each year at the end of each term. |
Deane Sinfonia | John Fuller | Mondays, 7.30 to 9.30pm Irish Centre, Basingstoke | John Fuller - 01256 398211 | 3 concerts a year - always to raise money for charities |
Didcot and Wallingford Orchestra | Simon Love Diane Adams | Northbourne Centre, Didcot. Monday evenings 7:30-9:00 pm | Diane Adams 01235 819943 (evenings)Vicki Gledhill 01235 831817 | A rehearsal orchestra (so no performance pressures), but we tend to focus on one or two hired works and try to manage a complete playthrough just before returning the music to the library. The orchestra also owns several works which we play from time to time. Players of all standards and ages welcome. |
Dorset Chamber Orchestra | Robert Jacoby Anita Hansen | Generally four rehearsals immediately before a concert. | Allan Bickley, Secretary | Currently performing about 4 concerts / year, in Dorchester, Dorset. We are always very happy to hear from potential players and members, see the website for required standards and contact details. Currently particularly interested in strings (especially double bass), horns and trumpets. |
Dorset County Orchestra | Ian Pillow Anita Hansen | Saturday or Sunday from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., prior to a concert, usually at Tarrant Keyneston Village Hall. | (via website) | Members are semi-professional and amateur adult players of Grade 6 standard and above. There are current vacancies, particularly for Violin & Viola players. |
Farnborough Concert Band of The Royal British Legion | David Smart | Manor Park, Aldershot. Tuesday evenings 8 - 10pm | David Smart | A friendly sociable band with many high profile engagements throught the year in London and the South East of England, including overseas travel. |
Farnborough Symphony Orchestra | Mark FitzGerald | Memorial Hall, North Camp Methodist Church, Lynchford Road, Farnborough. Thursday mights | Eleri Bailey, Secretary (via website) | Four concerts given per season. Actively recruiting all strings, harp, trombone, french horn, percussion. |
Fleet Orchestra | Paul Moloney Michael McConnell | SS Philip and James Church, Kings Road, Fleet, Every Wednesday during term-time from 8.00-9.30pm | Linda Harris | An enthusiastic and friendly orchestra, mostly for adults, that welcomes anyone who can play an orchestral instrument at around grade 5 or above. We rarely have wind vacancies but strings and brass are welcome. We usually give two concerts a year. |
Freeland Orchestra | Wendy Marks | Alternate Wednesday evenings 7:45 to 9:45 in Freeland, Oxfordshire. | Wendy Marks 01993 883379 | We are a friendly community orchestra in the Oxford area looking for more string players. Other instrumentalists also welcomed. No auditions! |
| Giocoso Concert Band | | Thursday evenings 7.45pm-9.45pm, Swanbourne Village Hall, Bucks | David Sharp 01908 503461 | Formed in 2003, the ethos of the Giocoso Concert Band is one of playing in a relaxed, friendly environment. Members range in age from 11 to 65. No auditions. Music ranges from Beatles through to Mozart! We are desperate for new members - any wind players or percussionists please get in touch! |
Goring & Streatley Concert Band | Richard Powell | Goring Community Centre, Mondays (except Bank Holidays) 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. | Jan Buhagiar, 0118 984 2616 | The band - a friendly community band of around 45 woodwind and brass players of a wide range of ages and abilities - welcomes new players. We perform about 12 times a year, mainly during the summer months, at local fetes, regattas and parks. |
| The Great Missenden Orchestra | Paul Luke Ed Hewitt | Wednesday evenings in term time, Oldham Hall, Great Missenden, Bucks, 8-10pm | Stephanie Baudet | We are a friendly orchestra who put on two or three concerts/workshops per year. String/brass players particularly welcome. |
Guernsey Symphony Orchestra | Various guest conductors | Rehearses in the week leading up to a concert | Keith Dawber | The Guernsey Symphony Orchestra is an independent amateur orchestra founded in 1991. The orchestra demands high standards from its players, and engages high quality conductors and soloists to perform three ambitious concerts each year in the St. James Concert Hall, St. Peter Port. |
Hampshire Area Guitar Orchestra (hago) | Derek Hasted | Purbrook Church Hall Waterlooville, Thursday evenings | Derek Hasted, 023 9247-9200 | hago is a guitar orchestra with 4 sizes of classical guitar. New players from Grade 4 to 8 are always welcome to audition. We play 3 or 4 concerts a year to raise funds for local community charities. |
Havant Symphony Orchestra | Peter Craddock Cathy Mathews | Most Fridays in 'term time' 7.00-9.30 at St. Faith's Church Hall in Havant | Sandra Craddock | Formed in 1962, friendly full symphony orchestra. Minimum standard of entry is Grade 8 Associated Board or other boards' equivalent. Informal audition - 4 weeks trial followed by consultation with section leader and conductor. Three concerts each season, usually with international soloists, at Ferneham Hall in Fareham. |
Henley Symphony Orchestra | Ian Brown David Burton | Henley College, Thursdays 7.30pm - 10pm September to June | Elaine Dudeney, 01491 628520 | |
| Langtree Sinfonia | Paul Cox Bill Osler | Wednesday evenings during term time from 7.30 to 9.30 at Langtree School in Woodcote, near Reading. | James Watkins (membership secretary) 0118 9477387Chris Winch (chairman) 01491 574653 | We are a friendly bunch of mixed musical abilities who enjoy playing together. We give two formal concerts a year, one a programme of classical music at Christ Church in Henley in November, and the other a bigger, more ambitious performance at Dorchester Abbey in May. There is no audition to join, and we currently have vacancies in all string sections and all brass except horns. |
Marchwood Orchestra | Tony Kitcherside Shared | Thursdays in Hounsdown School,Totton, 7.30 | Caroline Quinn 023 8057 9061 | We are a small unstuffy orchestra who mainly play lighter classical music. We're particularly keen to hear from string, brass and percussion players. Some instruments are available for loan. |
Marlborough Concert Orchestra | Christopher Irby Edward Judge | Every Tuesday 7:30 – 9:30 St John's School, Chopping Knife Lane, Marlborough SN8 4AU | via website | MCO plays light music and popular classics. It has entertaining rehearsals and performs 3 exciting concerts a year. It aims to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of orchestral music in all its aspects. Members’ ages range from 14 – 70! |
| Midsummer Players | Mike James | Term time Monday evenings, 8:00-9:30 at the City Church, Central Milton Keynes | Mike James 01908 324448 or 07989 583436 | We are the adult orchestra of the Milton Keynes Music Service. We don't have any formal entry requirements, and emphasise enjoying making music together and playing our instruments. Typically members used to play in orchestras, but haven't for quite a while, or have only taken up their instrument as adults. |
| Millstream Orchestra NEW | | Thursday every other week in Damerham | Heather Dobby 01425 473900 | All instrumentalists are welcome. At the moment we are especially looking for brass players and string players. We have regular Saturday workshops and have an extensive collection of music which we own. |
| The Milton Keynes Sinfonia | David Knight | Church of Christ the Cornerstone, Milton Keynes, Thursday 7:30p.m | David Knight Christine Hunt, Chair | All welcome esp. experienced violin, viola & bass players. Forthcoming concerts 25/3, 25/6, 15/7. |
The Misbourne Orchestra | Richard Jacklin Alan Morris | Amersham School, Stanley Hill, Amersham, HP7 9HH, 8 pm Thursdays | Clair McCoy (Chair) | 4 concerts per year in the Chiltern area. String and brass players very welcome. |
Musicale Wind BandNEW | Lully Bathurst | Tues 7:30-8:30pm during term time, Harpenden Musicale, Sun Lane, Harpenden, AL5 4GJ | Harpenden Musicale 01582 461446 | An amateur wind band based in Harpenden. Open to adult woodwind and brass players of about Grade 3 standard or better. Currently small but keen to expand. The band currently plays one very informal concert each year, but hopes to find further opportunities to perform locally as numbers increase. A wide range of music is played from popular songs to classical pieces, from West End musicals and film scores to original wind band compositions. |
New Forest Community OrchestraNEW | Stefan Defilet Stefan Defilet | Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm at Hordle Church Hall ( between Lymington and New Muilton) | Alan Ford 01590681741 | Our orchestra stages two or three concerts each year and is composed of amateur musicians from a wide variety of different backgrounds |
Newbury Symphony Orchestra | Christopher Dawe Mike Jones | Every Wednesday 7.15pm Wormstall Hall, St.Bartholomew’s School, Newbury | Mrs Jane Shillam 01635 42988 | Newbury Symphony Orchestra, founded 1879, is a local amateur symphony orchestra with a professional conductor and leader. We give three full orchestral concerts a year as well as taking part in smaller events. |
Northwood String Orchestra | Rita Leighton Sian Buckley | Mondays in term time, 7.30 to 9.30 at Friends Meeting Hall, Ordnance Road, Southampton | Jim Bailey 02380775019 | Friendly Southampton based orchestra giving three concerts a year. Proceeds to charity. Young players very welcome. |
OU (Open University) Orchestra | Bill Strang | At the Open University, Milton Keynes, generally Friday lunchtime for an hour. | Laurence Holden 01908 605863 | The Orchestra welcomes members of the local community who can make lunchtime rehearsals. It was started in January 2005, and is developing into a full symphonic orchestra. Currently we have vacancies for violas, 1 bass, 1 horn and 1 trombone, but do check our website. We give three lunchtime concerts a year plus contribute to other musical events. |
Oxford Sinfonia | various | Simon Payne 01235 539888 | Founded in 1984, giving an average of four orchestral concerts per year, mostly in Oxford. We also accompany choral societies. | |
Pelly Concert Orchestra | Christopher Braime Amanda Lake | Tuesday from 8 - 10 pm at Oak Farm School, Farnborough, Hants | Secretary | The Pelly Concert Orchestra gives five concerts a year in the Hampshire/Surrey area. Its wide-ranging repertoire includes well-known classical works, selections from stage and screen musicals, and themes from radio, television and film. New members are always welcome. |
Petersfield Orchestra | Robin Browning Helen Purchase | Friday evenings during school term times. 7:15pm - 9:15pm at the Avenue Pavilion, The Avenue, Petersfield, Hampshire | Eldrith Ward 02392 252357 | A friendly amateur orchestra who give 3-4 concerts a year, in November/December, March and June, usually at the Festival Hall, Petersfield. We would particularly welcome enquiries from String players (Grade 6 and above). |
| Portsmouth Light Orchestra | Bob Loft | Tuesday from 7.45pm. to 9.45pm. at The Buckland Community Centre, Malins Road, Portsmouth | Bob Loft 023 9237 1135 Chris Abbott 023 9247 7376 | Annual subscriptions £35 plus £3 Community Centre Membership. Student Rate £16. |
Portsmouth Philharmonia | Spencer Bundy | Sunday evenings weekly 7.30 – 9.30 | Anne White 07841486023 | A new orchestra based in Portsmouth has been formed! We are seeking all players from Grade 5 standard upwards. We are a friendly bunch and need people that are looking to get back into classical music and fancy a challenge, all are welcome! |
Reading Symphony Orchestra | Stefan Hofkes Lynette Wynn | Every Thursday evening, 7:15 to 9:30. St Mary’s School, Wensley Road, Reading. | Julia Luckett, Chairman | |
Regent Orchestra | Paul Luke Frank Henderson | Broughton Infant School Narbeth Drive, Aylesbury 7.45pm - 9.45pm Mondays (during school terms) | Secretary - Suzanne Clayton. 0845 430 4567 | Founded in 1955, we are a friendly orchestra, based in Aylesbury, Bucks., performing three concerts per year, ranging from light folk music to full symphonies. New string/brass players particularly welcome. |
The Rushmoor Concert Band | Phil Lazenbury Peter Woods | Ash Manor School, Ash, Monday evenings | Peter Woods 01252 658314 Ossie 01252 651544 | We are a friendly community concert band of about a 40 who work closely with a training band of about 20 (adults and children) so people of all levels are catered for, from professionals to learners and people just wanting to play a second instrument. We do 4 concerts a year and especially have vacancies for percussion, trombone and tuba players or anyone else interested in joining us. |
St Aldhelm’s Orchestra | Kevin Smith Caroline Poon | Mondays 7.30-9.30 in term time, St.Aldhelm’s Church, Branksome, Poole. | Hilary Tointon 01202 246840 Lindsay Extance 01425 627054 | The Orchestra plays varied items from the classical repertoire. The Orchestra tries to maintain the full complement of string, wind and brass players that would be found in a standard orchestra. There are some vacancies and details of these can be obtained from the contact listed |
St Giles Orchestra | Geoffrey Bushell Emily Ormerod | Cheney School, Oxford, Thursdays 7.30-9.30 | Geoffrey Bushell 01235 818848 | Oxfordshire’s favourite amateur orchestra, playing 3-5 concerts per year. Please see our website for concert details and vacancies |
The Saturday Morning Orchestra | John Tims & Steve Wellman Esme Williams | Saturday 10.30am - 12.45, Beansheaf Community Hall, Calcot, Berkshire | | We meet to enjoy playing classical music and occasionally to rehearse concerts for charity. Currently there are vacancies for double basses, tuba, violas and violins (1st and 2nd) |
Shaftesbury Orchestra | Donal Bannister | Term times at Port Regis School,Motcombe,near Shaftesbury | Judy Ashwin 01258 451079 | Established some 25 years ago, termly concert at Port Regis. |
| Sherborne Community Orchestra | David Price Robert Martin | Sherborne Boys School in the Big School Room. 4 Sundays a year plus 1 concert. 10am – 4.30pm | Frances Edwards | New musicians always welcome of Grade 5 standard and above. |
The Slough Philharmonic Orchestra | David Wilson Marilyn Vanryne | Orchestra: Wednesdays 7:30 to 9:45 Choir: Mondays 7:30 to 9:30 Burnham Grammar School, Hogfair Lane, Burnham SL1 7HG | Orchestra: Keith Pocock 01494 524797 Choir:-Michael du Pre 01628-631119 | 5 concerts per year. Season is September to May. |
Solent Symphony Orchestra | Steve Tanner Kirstie Robertson | One or two rehearsals in Portsmouth prior to concerts | Helen Walton | The SSO - Portsmouth's own Symphony Orchestra - we provide three high quality concerts each year with repertoire ranging from full symphonic works (Beethoven, Shostakovich, Hindemith) to smaller chamber music (Stravinsky, Mozart, Gordon Jacob) for our summer concert. Rehearsals are limited so players need to be experienced orchestral musicians. Concerts - Sept, February and July. |
South Berks Concert Band | Ian Hooper | School Hall, Englefield. Friday evenings, 7:45 to 10:00 pm. | Ray Meads, 07785311856 | Looking for top trumpets, double reed, horn and tuba players of a good standard to complement our strong woodwind ensemble. |
Southampton Concert Orchestra | Paul Ingram Cerys Emmett. | Sunday evenings in term time 7 - 9.30pm, Millbrook Church, Southampton | Paul IngramMike Hall (Chairman) 023 8084 2865 | Southampton based orchestra giving up to 7 concerts a year. New players always welcome. Please phone or e mail for further details. |
Southampton Concert Wind Band | Calum Gray | St Anne’s School, Southampton Thursday 7.30pm to 9.30pm | Jacqui Boydell : Membership Secretary | The band's concert programme incorporates a variety of musical styles including original, classical, shows, popular, traditional and jazz. We introduce new music whenever possible whilst trying to remain accessible and entertaining for the general public. SCWB perform at venues across the South Hampshire region, mainly during the summer months. Our primary aim is to have fun playing a wide variety of music and we hope that people who join the band enjoy themselves and feel able to take an active and long-lasting part in the band's future development. |
City of Southampton Orchestra | John Traill Zena Howell | Tuesday evenings from 7:15 to 9:45pm, at the Cantell School in Southampton. | Orchestra Manager | The Orchestra began as an ad hoc group in March 1971. The music played by the orchestra usually exploits the full scope of Symphonic instrumentation used in 19th and 20th Century orchestral works. The orchestra has a continuing need for Double Bass and Viola players. |
Southampton University Symphony Orchestra | Robin Browning Andy Weaver | Varies | President Vice- President | |
Southsea Orchestral Society | | Albert Road, Southsea, Wednesdays, 7.30-9.30pm | Janet Martin 020 8395 8641 | We explore the classical repertoire for our own enjoyment. Anyone welcome, but especially strings. |
Sturminster Newton OrchestraNEW | Rodney Parker Ethel Hillier | Stour View Centre, Sturminster Newton, Saturday mornings 9.30 - 11.45 in school term time | Jackie Brown 01258 488434 | We are an all-age community rehearsal orchestra for beginners, late starters, and rusties. We usually play simplified orchestral arrangements, and welcome any player of an orchestral instrument who has reached about grade 2 standard or above. Rehearsals start with easy music and get more challenging after the mid-morning break. No auditions, no concerts, no pressure, just fun making music together. |
Swindon Symphony Orchestra | Malcolm Webb | Sunday afternoons from 2 until 4 p.m. at Coleview Community Centre in Swindon | Secretary 01793 826857 | The orchestra supports a charity with each concert by means of retiring collections, and the charities chosen are at the suggestion of the members of the orchestra. At present the orchestra does not have any woodwind or brass vacancies, but high standard players of violin, viola and double bass are always welcome, and we could accommodate one or two more cellos. |
Symphony in a Weekend | Graham Reid | Annually (March / April), in Milton Keynes | Laurence Holden 01908 605863 | An annual meeting of professional, amateur and student musicians to rehearse and perform a major orchestral piece. The next event is currently being planned - see our website for more info.www.symphonyinaweekend.org.uk , and expressions of interest in taking part are now welcomed. |
Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra | David Price John Lauder | Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon | Frank Martin – Secretary 01225 753379 | If you are looking for an orchestra to play in or support, TSO has a reputation for combining friendliness with demanding rehearsals and rewarding, exciting performances |
Warminster Philharmonic Orchestra | Amanda Wakelin-Smith | Every other Tuesday at Warminster School from 7.30-9.30pm | Amanda Wakelin-Smith 01985 846557 | If you love playing in an orchestral group and you want to meet more like-minded people; that’s what we are about and we need YOU! |
The Warsash BandNEW | Dave Gasser | 7:30pm - 9:30pm Thursday evenings | Sidney Bell | A relaxed and friendly concert band with a repertoire taken from ballets, musicals, film scores, marches, etc. We give three main concerts per year plus a number of other performances in the community. We welcome new members of all ages and suggest a standard of grade 4-5 above. We also have a training section for less experienced players. |
| Wessex Military Band | Martin Davison | (see notes) | Martin Davison 01308 425010 | Rather than have regular rehearsals, we perform regularly throughout the year as a marching band, concert band, Bavarian band and others at a variety of engagements. We travel to Germany every year and have played previously at the Royal Albert Hall. The band welcomes all new instrumentalists aged 13+; Grade 5 standard and above is preferred. |
The Westbourne Orchestra | Lee Marchant Jane Bultz | Friday evenings 7.30 to 9.30 at St Ambrose Church, Westbourne | Debbie Stent (Sec) 01202 425056 | Bournemouth-based orchestra, giving 8 concerts a year in the Hampshire/Dorset area. New players always welcome. |
The Wimborne Orchestra | John Turner Kim Grounds | Lockyer's Middle School, Corfe Mullen, Mondays 7.30 - 9.30 p.m. | Cond.: John Turner/01258 455403Sec.: Bob Cox/01202 698350 | Players of all instruments and all standards welcome, especially 'rusty returners'. String and brass players especially welcome. Varied repertoire of light classical, etc.. Mostly shorter pieces. |
Winchester Chamber Orchestra | Gregg Hollister Yvette Chalkley | All Saints School, St Catherine's Road, Winchester, SO23 0PS, Thursdays from 7.30 to 9.30. | | We welcome new members, and are especially keen to recruit some more violin or viola players |
Winchester Symphony Orchestra | Nicholas Wilks Peter Marsh | Winchester College New Hall on Monday evenings | Sam McKay | We would particularly welcome string players, and sometimes have other vacancies - please enquire. |
The Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra | Leon Gee Liz Greeley | Every Tuesday from 7.30pm to 9.40pm, Dolphin School, Hurst, near Twyford, Berks | Frances Jones | |
Windsor Community OrchestraNEW | Elaine Foakes | Oakfield First School in Imperial Road, Windsor on Thursdays from 7.00 to 9.00 p.m | Elaine Fowkes 01753 859123 | A local orchestra for all ages, including children above 9 years old, young people and adults, who meet to learn a wide range of music and perform together in the community. We welcome players of any grade or ability, but the orchestra is designed for those under grade 5. |
Woodley Concert Band | John Sayer | St Dominic Savio RC School, Western Avenue, Woodley, RG5 3BH from 7:45pm every Wednesday. | Dr Catherine Piper (Secretary) | We are always on the lookout for new members who can play to a good standard. Right now, we are particularly looking for a bassoon player, french horn player and a tuned percussion player. |
Wootton Bassett Orchestra | | 7.30pm every Thursday evening at The Methodist Church, Rope Yard, Wootton Bassett. | | New players are welcome, especially string players at present. |
Wycombe and Great Kingshill Wind Band | | Fridays at the High Wycombe Music Centre (Millbrook School on Mill End Road) from 7:30pm to 9:00pm | Nigel Moorhouse 01628 522729 | We are a wind band encompassing woodwind, brass and percussion instruments, and we play a wide variety of music from Classical to Jazz suitable for beginners and intermediate players. We are a band for musicians of all abilities, those who are learning an instrument or have restarted playing, and more advanced players developing their musical skills in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. |
Wycombe Sinfonia | John Dunnett John Graham | Monday Evenings, John Hampden Grammar School, High Wycombe | | Wycombe Sinfonia is an orchestra of classical proportions consisting of local players of a very good standard. It aims to provide the opportunity for ensemble playing for the members and to organise public performances of a high standard several times a year |
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
(You won't be able to cut and paste this address from here directly, you'll need to type it in to your
favourite email program)

Abingdon Concert Band