Try searching on www.google.com for more information on groups which have no contact details here, or try sending e-mail to Patsy who may be able to put you in touch with members of the groups. The list is in random order. Details, of venue and times in particular, may be out of date, so don't just turn up without checking!
If you are looking for an orchestra or band to join and don't find anything appropriate here you could try looking at the UK Amateur Orchestras' Web site. It includes bands. I don't know of a choir equivalent (yet!).
Before telling you about other music-making groups I'd just like to give a brief mention to three useful Web sites that offer advice on musicians' physical problems and injuries. If you experience pain of any sort when practising or playing don't ignore it! Problems can be caused by your posture or by poorly set up instruments among other causes. Take a look at the Web sites of the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA), , the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) and the International Foundation for Performing Arts Medicine (IFPAM).
The Chiltern Edge Orchestral Society is a full orchestra which meets at Chiltern Edge School, Sonning Common, on Tuesday evenings in term time. Conductor Fafa Jin. Gives two informal concerts a year. General standard probably Grade 5-8 but no minimum prescribed. A number of ex-NCLSO players have moved on to this orchestra. Contact: Ruth Winchester Tel: 0118 972 2164. send e-mail to Ruth.
The Crowthorne Orchestra is an amateur orchestra based in Crowthorne, Berkshire. It was founded in 1991 and has around 40 playing members from Bracknell, Wokingham, Reading and as far afield as Maidenhead, Aldershot, Newbury, Woking, Guildford and Andover. Rehearsals are from 8 to 10pm on Monday evenings, under the guidance of Musical Director Anthony Davie. From September 2005 the orchestra will rehearse at St. Johns Church Hall, Waterloo Rd. Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7NN. It performs three concerts a year, usually at Wellington College, Crowthorne. Last March they played Schumann's Overture, Scherzo & Finale, Op.52, Dvorak's Romance in F minor, Op.11 and Saint-Saens' Symphony No.2, Op.55. New members are welcome, particularly strings.
The secretary can be contacted by email or on 01276 20817.
Beenham Band includes a lot of ex-members of NCLSO. It rehearses at 7.30 on Friday evenings in Beenham Village School. This year the band will be visiting Belgium. At a concert at the Corn Exchange in Newbury on 6th November 2004, they included a new piece called Benna's Meadow written for the band by Graham Hickey (Benna's Meadow being the old name for Beenham). Visit the Web site (click on Beenham Band) or send e-mail to the Chairperson.
Flute players now have a dedicated ensemble in Reading. Reading Flutes, organised by local player and teacher Clare Mellor, meets on Tuesday evenings from 8.00 at Wesley Methodist Church, Queens Road, Reading. It's a club for adult flute players, and regular meetings include both flute technique and ensemble playing. They also give occasional concerts. Send email to Clare <csmflute@aol.com> or telephone 0118 966 9767.
Trinity Concert Band , A friendly band, conducted by Peter Cole, which rehearses at Trinity Church, Chalfont Close, Lower Earley, Reading, (off the ASDA rear car park) on Tuesdays 7.30 - 9.45pm. They concentrate on formal concerts, currently 6 per year. They play a wide range of music, most of which is challenging for players (minimum standard about Grade 6). Send email to Peter or telephone him on 0118 981 2294 if you are interested in joining the band or for more information.
Woodley Concert Band rehearses every Wednesday at St Dominic Savio RC School, Western Avenue, Woodley from 7:45pm. Each year the band performs at around 20 events, including 3 major concerts at Bearwood Theatre. Details of all events are on the website. The band welcomes new members. For more details contact us on 0870 321 2186 or e-mail info@woodleyconcertband.co.uk
South Berks Concert
Band meets in Englefield School (the only school in the only road
in the village!) on Fridays from 19.45 to 22.00, conducted by Ian
Hooper, a serving horn player with the REME Band.
Send
e-mail to South Berks Concert Band.
Farnborough Concert Band of The Royal British Legion is a wind band accepting piccolo, flute, all clarinets, all saxophones, bassoon, french horn, cornet, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, string bass, percussion. Standard is grade 5 and above. Director of music David Smart (who was principal oboist of the Life Guards Band of the Household Cavalry until 1998) writes:
"Based in central Aldershot we rehearse on Tuesday evenings. We regularly provide musical support for the local military units, as well as regular concert performances for the public and music trips to the Continent. This is a friendly and busy band which enjoys making music and having fun.
Email us, or call 01252 345 396. Don't delay - have fun today!!"
Henley College was hoping to start a new orchestral class in September 2000, but too few potential students applied. Conductor Christine Wells hoped subsequently to attract enough support to allow such a class to get going. If you are interested ring the College on 01491-579988 extension 337 (Adult Education) or send e-mail to the College.
For players of stringed instruments who have reached about Grade 5 standard and have some experience of playing in conducted groups places are available immediately in The Saturday Morning Orchestra . More experienced violinists would be particularly welcome. There are currently a few vacancies for brass players. This is an old-established orchestra whose founder-conducter Raymond Jones bowed out in 2004 after 33 years with the orchestra. He was given a wonderful send-off at Ufton Court by past and present members.
The orchestra meets at The Beansheaf Community Centre, Charrington Road, Calcot (West of Reading) on Saturday mornings 10.30-12.45 and the conducting is currently shared by orchestra members Steve Wellman and John Tims. Send mail about recruitment to Steve Wellman . Send mail about other orchestra matters to David Wilcox or telephone him on 0118 971 4287. It's essentially a rehearsal orchestra, and doesn't give formal public concerts. Some of the more advanced players particularly welcome the opportunity to play quite challenging repertoire without the pressure of a formal concert. Spring term 2008 repertoire includes music by Beethoven, Dvorak, Elgar and Smetana's Vltava. The orchestra is currently in the process of selecting a new conductor (or perhaps conductors) so that Steve and John can return to being regular members of the first violin and horn sections respectively.
Pangbourne and District Silver Band meets on Wednesdays at Pangbourne Village Hall.
Reading Adult College runs a number of music courses in the daytime and evening. Details of the programme for the current year should be available from the telephone number given below. For information about enrolment contact Reading Adult College: 0118-9015284 (Direct line)
Recorder players looking for kindred spirits may like to look at the Web site of the Society of Recorder Players, which has branches around the UK but also a section for country and overseas members who aren't attached to a particular branch. The SRP publishes a magazine covering topics of particular interest to recorder players, including reviews of books, music and recordings and listings of concerts.
Reading University's Continuing Education programme offers quite a wide variety of musical activities including a number of singing groups, some of them during the day, and classes in music theory and musical appreciation.
Parenthesis, a mixed voice choir for parents of students at Berkshire Young Musicians' Trust (and others) rehearses during the latter part of Saturday mornings at English Martyrs Roman Catholic Primary School, Dee Road, Tilehurst, Reading. The main choir meets from 11.45-1.15, and the smaller a capella group from 11.00-11.30. Conductor Valerie Hoppé. The choir gives regular concerts, often to raise funds for charities. More singers welcome.
Reading Bach Choir, a fully auditioned mixed voice choir with about 50 members, meets on Tuesday evenings at 7.45 in Peckover Hall at Leighton Park School, Reading, and gives regular concerts. Conductor JanJoost van Elburg. It will be singing Bach's monumental St. Matthew Passion, always a huge undertaking for an amateur choir, on March 15th 2008.
Reading
Festival Chorus, a large mixed voice choir which has been in existence for more than sixty years, meets on Monday
evenings at 7.30 in the hall at Wesley Methodist Church, Queen's Road, Reading. The choir's present
conductor, Janet Lincé, took over at the beginning of 2004.
On March 8th 2008 it will be singing Brahms' German Requiem with soloist Erica Eloff, who will also sing Mozart's joyful
Reading Haydn Choir, a mixed voice choir with about 35 members, meets on Thursday evenings at 7.45 at Leighton Park School, Reading. Conductor Mandy Kesel. The choir usually gives one concert in each school term, with piano, organ or small orchestra accompaniment.
Wokingham Choral Society, another large mixed voice choir that gives regular concerts, often with orchestra, meets in the main hall at Emmbrook School on Thursday evenings.
Langtree Sinfonia is a full orchestra which meets at Woodcote School on Wednesday evenings and gives regular public concerts. Conductor Paul Cox.
Deane Sinfonia, conductor John Fuller (Tel:01256 327519), meets on Mondays 7.30-9.30 at the Irish Centre in Basingstoke. It gives three concerts a year, always to raise money for charities.
Reading Symphony Orchestra, conductor Stefan Hofkes is an old-established orchestra giving regular concerts in Reading. Rehearses Thursday evenings, 7:15 to 9:30. St Mary’s School, Wensley Road, Reading. Send e-mail to Alison Coaker. This orchestra isn't very likely to be an immediate next step for anyone just moving on from Da Capo!
I'm always particularly interested to hear about bands or orchestras that might be an appropriate next step for players progressing through Da Capo, and will be happy to include details on this page, along with generally interesting participatory music group. It's helpful to know when and where they meet, and to have full contact details. Send e-mail to Patsy or telephone 0118 9832098.
Patsy Moore, February 2008.
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