Amateur Orchestras - Yorkshire & Humberside

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Orchestra	Conductor Leader	Rehearsal Venue/Times	Contact	Notes
Abbeydale Orchestra		Wednesdays at 10am at St Oswald and St Peter's Church Hall, Bannerdale /Abbeydale Road Sheffield	Michael Carter 0114 2303118 Mary Waters	This is a friendly practice orchestra, of 25ish players which has been in existence for many years, and would be very pleased to welcome new members, all abilities and all instruments. We play a huge range of classical music, approximately 10 different pieces per term, and meet every Wednesday during the school terms.
Academy of St Olave's Orchestra	Alan George Claire Jowett	Scheduled over a 2 week period prior to each concert, St Olaves Church, Marygate, York	Chairman 01904 449714	The Academy of St Olave’s is a high standard Chamber Orchestra which may number between 15 and 45 players according to the requirements of the programme. The Academy performs three concerts each year and plays for one orchestral Mass on remembrance Sunday.
Airedale Symphony Orchestra	John Anderson Ian Banks	Monday evenings at Guiseley School. 7.30-9.45	John Anderson 0113 232 9242	Founded in 1898.
Alwoodley Sinfonia	Vernon Mais	Alwoodley community centre, The Avenue, Alwoodley, Leeds 17. Most Sundays Sept to June, 10.15 to 12.30	Vernon & Lesley Mais 0113 2931779	New players (especially strings) welcome.
Baildon Orchestra	Andrew McLaughlin Brian Hill	Thursday evenings from 7.45 pm to 10.00 pm at St Hugh's Church, The Coach Road, Baildon, Shipley, W Yorks	Phil Barker 01274 546156	The orchestra is an amateur band that has met in Baildon since 1945. We give concerts of light music from time to time but play an eclectic mix of light and classical music for our own entertainment. The orchestra maintains a normal double wind section. Currently there are vacancies for bassoon and all strings. The orchestra has its own large library and is a member of Making Music
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!!
Cleveland Chamber Orchestra	Tim Jackson	Rehearsals are held in the 2-3 weeks immediately prior to each concert.	Tim Jackson 01748-821343	The CCO has about 35-40 playing members, and typically gives 4-5 concerts a year between September and June.
Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra	David Greed	Each concert is preceded by two Sundays of intensive rehearsal.	Karen Maughan (Secretary)	The CPO is a full-sized symphony orchestra with about 85 members, which gives two challenging concerts each year, generally in October and February.
Endcliffe Orchestra	Martin Lightowler	Monday 7.30pm to 9.30pm during term time at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Millhouses, Sheffield	Membership Secretary 0114 262 0803	The Endcliffe Orchestra is an amateur group based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. The orchestra is open to amateur musicians of grade V upwards (or equivalent), subject to vacancies. The Endcliffe serves as a development orchestra and provides a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for amateur players in Sheffield, particularly lapsed amateurs and those who are new to orchestral playing and performing.
The Friendly Local Orchestra (FLO)		Leeds, on Mondays	Ben Hardy	Urgently in need of strings, rehearsals may move to Thursdays
Halifax Symphony Orchestra	Nick Simpson John Marshall	Monday evenings at Ryburn Valley High School, Sowerby Bridge	Peter Green (Chairman) Jayne Jefferies (Secretary)	With over 125 years of concert seasons, the Halifax Symphony Orchestra is one of the oldest and most established amateur orchestras in England. Concerts are held in the Victoria Theatre, Halifax. We currently have a vacancy for 1st Clarinet and all string sections.
Hallam Sinfonia	Natalia Luis-Bassa Robert White	Thursday & Friday evenings 7.30pm to 9.30pm in the 3 weeks prior to each concert, Brookhill Hall, University of Sheffield, Brook Hill	Rachel Underwood, Chairman	Since its founding in 1973, the orchestra has evolved into one of the finest amateur orchestras in the North of England, and engages professional conductors. Whilst Classical works lie at the heart of each season’s programmes the orchestra regularly performs larger scale works from the 19th and 20th Centuries. We would welcome enquiries from string players and percussionists, of at least Grade 8 standard.
The Harrogate Symphony Orchestra	Bryan Western Jo Richardson	St John's Primary School, Stockwell Lane, Knaresborough on Thursday, from 7:15pm ’till 9:45pm		The Harrogate Symphony Orchestra can trace its roots back to 1931 when the Harrogate String Orchestra replaced the Municipal Orchestra. The aims are to give players a chance to play orchestral music together on a regular basis and to present concerts of interesting music in the chamber, symphonic and 20th century orchestral repertoire in a pleasant social atmosphere.
Hessle Sinfonia		Thursday from 7.30 to 9.30 at Hull Collegiate School, Tranby Croft, Anlaby, East Yorkshire, HU10 7EH.	Jessica Leathley 01482 844166	We are a full symphony orchestra and present three concerts a year. We have a full social calendar as well.
Holme Valley OrchestraNEW	James Morgan	7.00 to 9.00pm during term time at Holmfirth High School, Heys Road, Holmfirth	Nick Finnis, 01484 684091	The Holme Valley Orchestra is an amateur group based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire. The orchestra is open to amateur musicians of grade IV/V upwards (or equivalent), subject to vacancies. The HVO serves as a development orchestra and provides a friendly and relaxed atmosphere for amateur players in and around the Holme Valley. We particularly welcome lapsed amateurs and those who are new to orchestral playing and performing.
Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra	Natalia Luis Bassa	Tuesday nights in Huddersfield centre		High standard full size symphony orchestra, but always needing deputy players for rehearsals and sometimes concerts. We are looking for a temporary 2nd horn, and extra bassoon players.
Hull Philharmonic Orchestra	Andrew Penny Pam Mitchell	Hull YPI, George Street, Hull, Wednesday 7.30 - 9.45		Considered by many to be one of the finest amateur orchestras in the country, Hull Philharmonic presents at least 3 concerts each season. Programmes include less well known repertoire alongside popular pieces.
Hull Philharmonic Youth Orchestra	Ray Gallagher	Friday nights during school term time, Eastfield Primary School, Anlaby Road, Hull	Ray Gallagher on 01482 501614	We are one of the few independently run youth orchestras in the country, Established in 1952. We have 2 orchestras, a training and a concert orchestra. - new members are extremely welcome!!
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
James Farrell Concert Band	Vernon Mais	Dewsbury Road Social Club, Leeds. 19:45 Tuesday	Contact via the website or Vernon & Lesley Mais 0113 2931779	Wide repertoire played encompassing classical music, film and show music etc. New members welcome subject to vacancy existing at discretion of director of music. Good playing standard.
Sinfonia of Leeds	David Greed/Douglas Scarfe Amanda Crawshaw	Mondays at Notre Dame Catholic Sixth Form College, St Marks Avenue Leeds. 19:30 - 22:00	Christine Caulfield	Sinfonia is a high-standard orchestra giving four concerts a year in the Leeds area.
Leeds Symphony Orchestra	Martin Binks Rosemary Milner	Monday, 7.15pm	Trevor Stent Martin Binks	A full sized orchestra founded in 1890 giving high standard concerts of varied repertoire, with professional soloists, in Leeds, Knaresborough and other venues in West and North Yorkshire.
The North Leeds Orchestra	Matthew Tiffany & Elaine Levene Katie Allen	Leeds, Saturdays in term-time, 9.15am-12.00	Mervyn Manning 0113 293 6585	The main orchestra of North Leeds Music Centre, part of Leeds City Council's Music Support Service. Standard between grades 4 to 8.
Northern Wagner Orchestra		Occasional repertoire weekends, first one in September 2005	Michael Williamson	Recently established to provide musicians a rare opportunity of studying challenging and exciting orchestral repertoire in simulated professional circumstances.
Otley Chamber OrchestraNEW	Tricia Restorick Miles Brett	Second and fourth Sunday evenings each month, Courthouse Arts Centre, Courthouse Street, Otley, West Yorkshire	Tricia Restorick 01943 875176 or 01943 463099	We have about 50 members who are drawn from Wharfedale and further afield. They are experienced, hard working players - but very sociable! There is a full string section (with room for more 1st violins), double woodwind, horns, trumpets and timps. Repertoire is varied but drawn largely from the Classical and early romantic periods.
The Paddock Orchestra	Tom Newall John Parker	Paddock Village Hall, Huddersfield, Tuesdays 7:30pm		Friendly local orchestra, welcomes lapsed players, or those looking for a less demanding repertoire.
Phoenix Band	Keiron Anderson	7.30-9.30pm on Thursday evenings at St Chad's Parish Centre, Far Headingley	Hilary Pattison, 0113 266 3055	There are no auditions but ideally players should be of Associated Board Grade 5+ standard
Players for Pleasure		The Yorkshire College of Music & Drama, 19 Shire Oak Road, Headingley, Leeds LS6 2DD		Players for pleasure is an ensemble for all levels of ability, from around Grade 1 standard to Grade 8. The group meets on an ad hoc basis and the emphasis is on playing for our own enjoyment, in a relaxed, friendly and sociable atmosphere. Most instruments can be accommodated. We particularly welcome those who have not played in an ensemble before. For further information, please email
Richmondshire Orchestra	Hugh Bowman & Tim Jackson Chris Thompson	Thursdays during term-time, 7:30 - 9:30pm, Richmond Methodist Primary School	Janet Smith (Secretary) 01969 622665	The Richmondshire Orchestra is a community orchestra serving Richmond and the surrounding area. The orchestra gives three concerts a year. Upper string players and trumpets particularly welcome.
St. Paul’'s Youth EnsembleNEW	Nicholas Nowicki	Saturday afternoons as arranged, during term time. Fun residential weekend in March	Nicholas Nowicki Steph Swann 0191 4699402	Based in the North-East of England, St. Paul’s Youth Ensemble gives young string players the chance to make music together in a relaxed but stimulating atmosphere, regardless of age or ability. The ensemble, now in its 30th year combines a happy, inclusive ethos with high standards of musicianship.
Saints and Sinners Orchestra	Alan Edgar	Most Sundays, 11:30 Hessle, East Yorks	Alan 01482 640330	Beginners' orchestra, almost all instruments welcome inc keyboards and recorders. Plays in church, concerts, variety shows
Scarborough Orchestra	Shaun Matthew Anthony Mason	Tuesday evenings in St Saviour’s Church Hall, Gladstone Road, behind Sainsburys	Tony Mason	Six concerts a year. Average rehearsal attendance about 60: new strings are always welcome.
Settle Orchestral Society	Darren Everhart Tracy Keeley	Settle High School from 7.30 to 9.30pm each Friday during term time	Sarah Glossop 01729 825806	A friendly local orchestra in the Craven area that performs works from all periods. We perform at least six concerts in Skipton, Settle, Clitheroe and other local towns each season
Sheffield Chamber Orchestra	Harry Malpass Ralph Dawson	Tuesday, Endcliffe Methodist Church Lower Hall, 7:15 (for 7:30 start) - 9:30 pm,	Robin Saunders (chairman) 0114 266 5403	The Sheffield Chamber Orchestra was formed in 1950 and is a small classical orchestra of around 40 musicians, comprising of woodwind, horns, trumpets and percussion, in addition to the usual complement of strings. New members are welcome, subject to available vacancies. Generally, a minimum playing standard of Grade 8 is expected.
Sheffield Philharmonic Orchestra	Ewa Strusinska	Tuesday evenings in Hanover St Methodist church	Natalie Wing 01709 850 473	Welcome new players, especially strings. 3 or 4 concerts a year plus workshops and the occasional foreign tour
Sheffield Symphony Orchestra	John Longstaff David Clarke	Wednesday evenings during term time 7.30 until 9.30 pm at Birkdale School. (entrance on Endcliffe Cresecent)	Hon. Secretary 0114-236-7569	The orchestra comprises some sixty subscribing members and specialises in music for the larger orchestra and pieces written in the 20th century. It performs regularly throughout the year with a minimum of four concerts in a season. It has produced 3 CDs of live performances and has just returned from a highly successful concert tour of Belgium.
Sheffield Youth Orchestra	Stephen Vickers	During school term time at Croft House, Garden Street, Sheffield S1.	Stephen Vickers	Formed in 1964 as an independent youth orchestra to give young Sheffield musicians the opportunity to play challenging orchestral music from both the classical and contemporary repertoire.
Slaithwaite Philharmonic Orchestra	Chris Holding Julie Edwards	Monday evenings in Slaithwaite Civic Hall	Chris Woodhead (Secretary)	Concerts in Huddersfield Town Hall
The Orchestra of Square Chapel	Lawrence Killian Professional	At Square Chapel Arts Centre Halifax, two Sundays before and on the afternoon of the concerts (Sundays)	Nick Barber (01484) 544892 Mike Briggs (01422) 372246	Established in 1997 this orchestra is the resident orchestra at the Square Chapel Centre for the Arts in Halifax, West Yorkshire. Their motto is 'Back to Berkley' with a diverse repertoire to match. All of their concerts from 1997 to present are listed on their website – interesting!
Steel City Concert BandNEW	David McLaren	Tuesdays during school terms from 7.30 till 9.30 at the Scout headquarters, Trippet Lane, Sheffield	Judy Day 01142 816701 Sarah West	Amateur Band, all ages, all brass, wind and percussion players welcome.
Teesside Symphony Orchestra	Martin Essex	Wednesdays from 7.30pm to 9.30pm, at St. David’s School, Cowley Road, Acklam, Middlesbrough.	Liz Cameron (Secretary) on 01642 653046.	The TSO is a full-sized symphony orchestra which gives two concerts each year, generally in November and March/April.
Todmorden Orchestra	Nicholas Concannon Hodges Andrew Rostron	Central Methodist Church in Todmorden on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 – 9.30p.m	Jennifer Moorhouse 01706 817333	We are a friendly group of amateur musicians, and we welcome new players. Although primarily a symphony orchestra, small groups are available to play for local community events. We are currently looking for one tenor and one bass trombone, and violinists for the first violin section.
University of York Concert Orchestra	Sophia Davies / Abi Fisher	Friday during term time at 5pm in the music department (Heslington campus)	James Corkhill (Chairman) 07763 226314	Membership is mainly students at the university, but anyone is welcome to join.
Wakefield Orchestral Wind	Nigel Horne Julia Percival	Thursday evenings, Ossett, West Yorkshire	Nigel Horne Fiona	New players always very welcome, grade V or above.
West Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra	Randall Whittaker Sam Essen	Wednesdays from 7.30 – 9.30, Hyde Park Methodist Church, Woodsley Road, Leeds	Craig Hassall 07946 516608	We aim to provide an opportunity for young professionals, postgraduates and other young people who are interested to play orchestral music to a high standard within a sociable environment. We play a wide range of music and aim to play three different programmes each year, with concerts in March, June and December. For more details please see our website
Yorkshire Late Starters Strings	George Kennaway / Andrew Watkinson	Saturday in term-time at the West Park Centre, Spen Lane, Leeds, from 10:00 until 12:30.	YLSS secretary 01943 877414	Are you an adult beginner on a string instrument or not played for years and want to return? YLSS is a string orchestra with the emphasis on friendly, enjoyable and non-competitive playing with tuition from some of the finest professional musicians in the region. There is no minimum standard for joining the orchestra and the ethos is very much 'have a go', join in and play what you can.
Yorkshire Volunteers Band	Major Jack Boden (ret.)	Sunday morning 10.00 – 12.15 (with break) Band Room Maltkiln Lane, Castleford, West Yorkshire	Dave Stephenson 01924 375934	Civilian military style wind band (Ex TA Band) – concerts, parades, European tours, Germany twice in 2006.
Yorkshire Wind Orchestra	Keiron Anderson	Wakefield	Amanda Woodhouse 07971 814 246.	The Yorkshire Wind Orchestra is a quality wind ensemble which has performed an extensive repertoire of mainly modern works in Yorkshire and beyond and is now recognised as a leader in its musical field. Two important aspects of the objectives of the YWO are to promote the work of contemporary composers (especially British) and to encourage the development of young wind and percussion players in the Yorkshire region.

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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