The English Schools’ Orchestra   www.englishschoolsorchestra.org

The English Schools’ Orchestra was founded in 1994 and exists to provide the opportunity for talented young orchestral musicians and singers, still in full time education, to meet and perform with other similarly talented young people from all over the country.

The highlight of our musical calendar is our annual Orchestra Course, which takes place over the October half-term. This comprises of a five-day residential course, during which a programme of music is rehearsed for a concert in a national venue on the final afternoon. Recent venues have included St. John’s Smith Square, the South Bank Centre and Cadogan Hall in London.  Music for the Annual Concert is always chosen to present a challenge to our musicians – extensive tuition and sectional rehearsals are given during the course by our professional tutors to ensure that such a challenge is met with resounding success!

In addition to our annual course, we also run Composing Competitions, where we launch a nationwide search to find the brightest young creative musical talent of the 21st century. Finalists enjoy the opportunity of hearing their composition rehearsed and performed by a professional orchestra as well as receiving feedback from the performers and industry recognised competition judges.

The English Schools’ Orchestra has supported and encouraged young musicians for more than 25 years and strives to continue doing this long into the future.