How We Work

We give two concerts a year - in London, in November, and at another European venue in June – always in aid of a childrens’ charity. We always have a professional conductor and soloist, and the costs of putting on the concert and the social events are covered by players’ subscriptions and corporate sponsorship. This allows the profit from ticket and programme sales to be donated to a childrens’ charity.

For the last five years, the London concert has supported the ‘Save the Children’ fund – and, last year, we were able to donate over £5000. For the summer concert, we ask the local organisers to choose a local children’s medical charity.

Section organisers will contact players directly by email in July and January, inviting them to play and giving details of the next concert. Players should reply promptly to the section organisers, who will subsequently inform players if they have been offered places.

After 2 weeks the orchestra is opened to new players, where there are vacancies.
Each Section organiser keeps a waiting list of those who have applied for places.
 

The format of a concert weekend is as follows

A typical concert weekend comprises two days – Friday and Saturday -  of intensive rehearsals, both orchestral and sectional, from 0900 - 1700, usually at a venue other than that of the concert which is on Sunday. There may be a rehearsal ( usually strings only) on the Thursday evening and there is a final rehearsal on Sunday at the concert venue. There are mid-morning and mid-afternoon tea breaks, and an hour’s lunch break. The London winter concert is in the afternoon; the summer concert (usually on the European Mainland) is always held in the evening.

A Social Programme is organised for the Friday and Saturday evenings, with a reception after the concert.