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 Details, of venue and times in particular, may be out of date, so don't just turn up without checking!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. I think it includes bands. I haven't looked to see if there's 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).
Apart from the many playing and singing opportunities on offer below I think Reading College, which is now part of Thames Valley University, offers an Access to Music History and Musicology course at the Kings Road campus, but I haven't heard anything about it recently. It was a one year Access course for musicians aged 19 years and over which could lead on to a music degree at university. The course as originally set up included harmony, counterpoint, history of music and analysis of masterpieces of music. Mature students were very welcome. The original people to contact were Laurence Roman and Simon Rigby on 0118 967 5153 to get more information direct. I hope the number is still valid even if the names aren't.
Some time ago I heard that there would be a new orchestra starting on Tuesday evenings at 8.00 in the village hall in Great Bedwyn, between Hungerford and Marlborough. My contact wrote "All standards are welcome including beginners and people who perhaps haven't played for many years." Again I have heard nothing recently.
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/DC players have moved on to this orchestra. Contact: Ruth Winchester Tel: 0118 972 2164. send e-mail to Ruth.
Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra. Amateur orchestra based in Crowthorne, Berkshire, with players from a wide area. Director of Music Robert Roscoe. Rehearsals at St. Johns Church Hall, Waterloo Rd., Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7NT, 7.45 – 10 pm on Monday evenings in term time, “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.” Three concerts a year, usually at Wellington College, Crowthorne. New members welcome, particularly strings and brass. “We hold a String Workshop in May and an Open Orchestral Workshop in September.” More details: here or contact Ruth on 0118 972 2164 or by email.
Beenham Band includes a lot of ex-members of NCLSO/DC. It rehearses at 7.30 on Friday evenings in Beenham Village School. 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.
Southlake Concert Band rehearses at the Woodley Age Concern day centre in Southlake Crescent, Woodley, Reading, from 8.00 - 9.45pm on Wednesdays (doors open 7.45). Conductor Richard Wansbrough (email) writes "We prefer grade 5 and above but enthusiasm is more important. We do several concerts during the year."
Flute players now have a dedicated ensemble in Reading. Reading Flutes, organised by local player and teacher Clare Mellor, meets fortnightly 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. Send email to Clare <csmflute@aol.com> or telephone 0118 966 9767.
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 Grade 5 (or perhaps a little less for violas) places are available immediately in The Saturday Morning Orchestra . 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 shared by orchestra members Steve Wellman and John Tims. Send mail about recruitment to Steve Wellman . Send mail about other orchestra matters to Antony Branfoot . It's essentially a rehearsal orchestra, and doesn't give formal public concerts. Their last informal concert, Spring term, included Mendelssohn's Reformation Symphony and the Romance for bassoon and orchestra with soloist from the orchestra Ann Moore.
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.
I believe Reading University's Continuing Education programme offers quite a wide variety of musical activities but have no details.
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.
Reading Festival Chorus, a large mixed voice choir, meets on Monday evenings at 7.30 in the Victoria Room at Reading Town Hall (first floor, entrance at the side of the building) and usually gives one concert each term, sometimes with orchestra. The choir's present conductor, Janet Lincé, took over at the beginning of 2004..
Reading Haydn Choir, a mixed voice choir with about 35 members, meets on Thursday evenings at 7.45 in the Peckover Hall 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. Its present conductor, Aidan Oliver, has the same Eton and Kings College Cambridge pedigree as his two predecessors Edward Gardner and Stephen Layton.
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 arguably the best amateur orchestra in the area at present (so unlikely to be an immediate next step for anyone just moving on from Da Capo!) and their concerts are well worth a visit.
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. It's helpful to know when and where they meet, and to have full contact details. Send e-mail to Patsy
Patsy Moore, August 2005.
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