UK Amateur Orchestras

Northumbria (Northumberland, Durham)

NEW - entries since 1 Jan 2023

NEW - entries since 1 Jan 2024

Orchestra (full)

Wind band (brass and woodwind)

String Orchestra

Brass band

Miscellaneous

Orchestra

Conductor /
Leader
Rehearsal Venue / Times
 
Contact(s)
 
Alnwick guitar group
Ray Humphrey
 
6 o'clock at St. Michael's church hall alternate Monday evenings.
 Ray Humphrey 07895466277
 
An informal classically based guitar group in Alnwick, always looking to increase our number, [8 to date!]. A mere rehearsal group we have no ambition to perform but have met for the last 7 years or so just to play ensemble music on the classic guitar. We are a very mixed ability bunch but anyone who is keen and can read music will be welcome.
Ray Thompson
 
Monday evenings at 7.30pm in the Playhouse, Alnwick
 Kate Pringle
 
New members of grade 4+ standard welcome.
Ernest Young
 
7.30pm at The Sage Gateshead. Rehearsals take place in the Katharine Shears Studio which is downstairs in the Music Education Centre.
 
 
A community wind band that plays a wide range of music and performs regular concerts in the North East with occasional concert tours abroad. Originally based in Springfield School in Jarrow, it was formed in 1989 to allow pupils of the school to continue playing after leaving. It now attracts musicians from all across the north east of England.
 
 
The Stobo Building, Longridge Towers School, Berwick upon Tweed. Monday evenings 7.30-9.30
 
 
The band was formed in 1993 and gives regular concerts of an interesting and widely varied repertoire of wind music from its extensive library. New players welcome, especially a euphonium (instrument available) a trombone &/or tuba, and clarinets of a reasonably high standard.
Ros Barton-Gray
Penny Callow
Wednesdays 7-9pm at Barloco Bar (opposite Barker and Stonehouse, Newcastle) and also first Saturday of the month 10-12am at St Thomas the Martyr Church, Newcastle
 Penny Callow
 
Just what it says: cellos rule. All cellists are welcome.
Keith Morley
 
7:15 - 9:15 p.m every Tuesday at St. Alphonsus Church Hall, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough. TS3 6EW
 Miss Karen Hinnigan 07861 503757
 
We are always on the look out for more musicians. If you like fun music with a great set of people then call over with your instrument on our rehearsal night. You will be made more than welcome and we are sure that you will enjoy the night as much as we do. You don't have to join the band to have a practice or two with us. Don't be shy, give us a try...
Laura Reavley
Whoever arrives first
Morpeth: St George’s United Reformed Church, Bridge Street, Morpeth NE61 1PD
 Lorna Wright 07534 675 820
 
The Cobweb Orchestra is a multi-award winning network of nine local orchestras across the North of England. Each group welcomes, encourages and supports all players of all instruments and all abilities, always seeking to be inclusive. For more detailed information on events, venues, times and dates of rehearsals visit cobweborchestra.org.uk
Andy Jackson
Whoever arrives first
Tyneside: temporarily playing at St Matthew’s Church Hall, 10 Winchester Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6EH
 Lorna Wright 07534 675 820
 
The Cobweb Orchestra is a multi-award winning network of nine local orchestras across the North of England. Each group welcomes, encourages and supports all players of all instruments and all abilities, always seeking to be inclusive. For more detailed information on events, venues, times and dates of rehearsals visit cobweborchestra.org.uk
Greg Pullen
Whoever arrives first
Spennymoor: St Paul's Community Centre, Spennymoor, DL16 7LS.
 Lorna Wright 07534 675 820
 
The Cobweb Orchestra is a multi-award winning network of nine local orchestras across the North of England. Each group welcomes, encourages and supports all players of all instruments and all abilities, always seeking to be inclusive. For more detailed information on events, venues, times and dates of rehearsals visit cobweborchestra.org.uk
Greg Pullen
Whoever arrives first
Dipton: Dipton Jubilee Centre, Front Street, DH9 9DR
 Lorna Wright 07534 675 820
 
The Cobweb Orchestra is a multi-award winning network of nine local orchestras across the North of England. Each group welcomes, encourages and supports all players of all instruments and all abilities, always seeking to be inclusive. For more detailed information on events, venues, times and dates of rehearsals visit cobweborchestra.org.uk
Tracey Reed
Whoever arrives first
Ludworth: temporarily playing at St Cuthbert’s Church, Shadforth, Co Durham DH6 1LF
 Lorna Wright 07534 675 820
 
The Cobweb Orchestra is a multi-award winning network of nine local orchestras across the North of England. Each group welcomes, encourages and supports all players of all instruments and all abilities, always seeking to be inclusive. For more detailed information on events, venues, times and dates of rehearsals visit cobweborchestra.org.uk
Annette Butters
 
Saturday’s 10am-11.15am, based at St Mary’s Parish Church, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NQ
 Annette Butters 07411 825230
 Geoff Lowson
We are a very friendly group who enjoy rehearsing together most Saturdays. Players of all ages and abilities are welcome to join us (strings, brass and woodwind). The orchestra play a wide range of music from pops, novelty, standards, musicals to classics. We also enjoy giving occasional concerts in the local area raising money for charities and projects.
Andy Taylor
 
Wednesday evenings 7:30-9:30 Swarland Village Hall (Northumberland)
 Derek Belshaw
 
The Coquet Concert Band was formed in Sept 2019. It attracts experienced musicians who enjoy collective music making to a high standard, under the leadership of Andy Taylor. We rehearse regularly on Wednesday evenings in Swarland. New players of grade 5+ welcome
John MacKenzie
 
Hurworth Community Centre fortnightly on a Thursday evening during school term time from 7.30 until 9.30
 John Mackenzie
 
We do not audition but you should have had previous experience of playing in a band or orchestra and be at least Grade 6 standard. The best way to join is to contact our musical director and arrange to come along and sit in on a rehearsal. We are a friendly and sociable ensemble.
 
 
Tuesday evenings at Hurworth Grange Community Centre, Hurworth Place, Darlington, DL2 2BN
 Joy Redfearn 01388 608098 (or via website)
 
We do not have any entry requirements for the band - all we ask is that you are willing to attend rehearsals regularly and if possible to also be available for band concerts. The most important thing is to have some fun making music with other enthusiasts - a good sense of humour is a must! The music we play is suitable for a range of abilities, and new or lapsed players as just as welcome as ex-professionals in DCWB.
David Plews
Angie Binns
Tuesday in term times; 7pm to 9pm at St Thomas Aquinas church hall, North Road, Darlington.
 Debbie Greenwood 01325 251383
 
The Darlington Orchestra is a community orchestra featuring local amateur musicians. We perform two regular concerts per year and occasionally participate in other events. New members are always welcome.
Greg Pullen
 
Alternate Mondays in term time, Waddington Street URC, 7;30-9:30
 
 
For players of violin, viola, cello and bass. Current charge £5 -£10 per session
Isabel Gilchrist-Miller
 
Wednesday evenings during term time only, 7:30-9:30pm in St. Aidan's College Dining Hall, Durham
 President
 
Student orchestra, no minimum standard required and a wide range of abilities represented. Performs three concerts per year including a Christmas Concert, a Summer Tour and "Last Night of the Proms" around Easter time.
Mike Wilmot
 
Weekly on Sundays from 2-4pm - at the Jubilee Theatre, Gosforth
 Mike Wilmot 07764 661 560
 
We are an evolving orchestra set up in early 2007 around a 16 year old theatre company, First Act Theatre. We perform for musicals with the theatre and in separate concerts. We cover a wide range of music styles. We are looking for musicians of all ages and backgrounds willing to commit to regular rehearsals, who love music and enjoy playing in groups and with singers We are looking to expand our membership (19 at last count) and so have vacancies in all sections and we are particularly keen to develop the membership of our string, brass and percussion sections.
Geoff Walton Orchestra
Various
Katie Murdoch
Fridays in term-tim from 1.30p.m. to 3.30p.m. at Heaton Community Centre in Trewitt Road (off Chillingham Road)
 Tim van Zwanenburg (Chairman) 0789 978 5053
 
The music, including light classical, musicals and symphonies, is played purely for enjoyment and the programmes are changed every three weeks to avoid boredom. No auditions, new members of all ages and abilities welcome. We host conducting students from the Music Dept, Newcastle University, under the guidance of our musical director, Terry Mason.
Bob Howe
 
7.30pm to 9.30pm on Wednesday evenings at Hurworth Grange Community Centre in Hurworth village Darlington
 Gary Bridge ( Band Secretary ) - 07540 890941
 
Hurworth Concert Band comprises brass, reed and percussion players from Darlington, Durham, North Yorkshire and Teesside. We aim to provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life to pursue their musical interests and develop their instrumental skills as well as providing a musical resource for the local community. New players of all standards are always welcome so if you play an instrument come and join us.
Guest conductors
 
Monday at Ray Gray Centre, Walker, Newcastle , 7.30pm to 9.30pm
 Secretary
 
3 concerts a year often with soloists from The Royal Northern Sinfonia, whose members also give coaching sessions during the term.
David Milner
Sue McGregor
Northern Counties School for the Deaf, Tankerville Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, on Tuesday 7.30pm to 9.30pm during term time
 Sue McGregor
 
A very versatile 40 piece band playing all types of music to a high standard.
Nick Jolliffe
David Curry
Every other Wednesday evening in the King's Hall, Newcastle University
 David Curry - see website for details
 
Founded in 2012, we aim to promote the enjoyment of orchestral music for classical guitar. If you play classical guitar and can sight-read a simple line of music then you are most welcome to join.
Ian Watson
Gordon More
Sunday 7.00-9.00pm, Chester-le-Street Community Centre Newcastle Road
 
 
An enthusiastic and friendly bunch playing a wide variety of music from Bach to Lloyd Webber. Vacancies exist for French Horns Trombones and 2nd clarinets. Other wind instrumentalists or percussion welcome.
Sandra Foxall
 
Brunton Park , Newcastle on fourth Saturday of each month 9.45-12.45
 Secretary
 
The North East Recorder Orchestra was formed in January 2004 to give recorder players in the North East Of England the opportunity to tackle large scale pieces either especially written for the recorder orchestra or arrangements. There are no auditions but members are expected to be competent sight-readers on the recorder.
Kevin McVittie
 
Sundays 11am-1pm monthly (see Facebook for dates). St Paul's Church Hall, Winlaton, Gateshead, NE21 6PL.
 Northern Phoenix Wind Band (Katharyn/Rebecca)
 
We are a newly established Concert Band in the North East. We welcome players of all ages and abilities and play a wide repertoire of music. For more detailed information on events, venues, times and dates of rehearsals visit our Facebook page.
Alastair Lord
Amy Gleeson
Monday 7.30pm-9.30pm at Jesmond United Reformed Church, Burdon Terrace, NE2 3AE.
 
 
Formed in 1877! Vacancies for Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, French Horn, Percussion
Jonny Fay
 
Thursday (weekly) 6.45pm - 9.00pm and Sunday (monthly) 11.30am - 1.30pm at St Oswald's Church Hall, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear, NE31 1HR.
 Jonny Fay (Musical Director) 0191 435 9531 / 07387 437316
 
Off Key Music are a friendly community windband, based in South Tyneside. Formed in August 2013. We are open to players of all ages and musical abilities. We don't charge any fees or subs to be part of our ensemble. We play a varied variety of music from traditional to modern, and host our own annual Summer and Christmas Concerts as well as other performances across the region throughout the year. We regularly perform at Beamish Museum, Co Durham. We performed at Disneyland Paris in April 2019, as it was so successful we plan to go again in 2024.
Dave Hignett
 
Saturday mornings, throughout term-time, Prudhoe, Northumberland
 
 
We play a wide range of music to encompass the different levels of playing abilities within the band, but the emphasis is always on the fun and enjoyment of playing with other musicians.
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers
Kevin Crook
 
Tuesday evenings, St George's Army Reserve Centre, Sandyford Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 1DF
 Richard Stacey, 0191 279 7299
 
Army Reserve wind band always looking for new members. Grade 6 and above.
Alex Guthrie
 
Sunday at 15:00 in Gosforth
 Ewa Posner
 
We are a flexible ensemble of players of various ages and abilities; players of all instruments are welcomed. The aim of the group is to bring live music to hospices, nursing homes and sheltered accommodation in the Newcastle area. We play anything we enjoy - as long as the joy is infectious.
 
 
Wednesday from 7p.m. to 9p.m. in St. Andrew's Church hall, Benton (100 yards north of Benton Metro Station)
 Violet Hart (Secretary) 0191 4562702
 
The music, including light classical, musicals and symphonies, is played purely for enjoyment and the programmes are changed every three weeks to avoid boredom. No auditions, new members of all ages and abilities welcome
Alistair Storey
 
Wednesday evenings 6:15pm-7.45pm term time, Chuter Ede Community Association South Shields.
 Rebecca Amour
 
South Tyneside Orchestra are a local community Orchestra based in South Shields. We rehearse weekly and perform at various venues across the North East. We welcome players of all ages and abilities!
David Milner
David McCourt
Wednesday 7:30pm - 9:30pm. St. Mark’s Community Association, St. Mark’s Terrace, Sunderland, SR4 7BN
 Joy Lowther 07887 881442
 
The Orchestra is a large group of talented musicians and friends who enjoy playing together and are keen to share in regular concerts, community events and inclusive outreach learning programmes. Non playing members also support our work and we have a strong audience base. We are a registered charity. SSO enjoys high standards of musicianship, welcomes new members and is keen to bring on young talent through links with SYCO (our partner youth and community orchestra). While we cater for players from Grade 5, many of our members are Grade 8 and beyond. We need more violas, brass and percussion members and always welcome strings and any musician who just wants to join in at the discretion of the MD. Sometimes, not often, we have wind vacancies. Our repertoire is wide - Baroque, Classical, Jazz, Showtime, Folk and Pop
Alex Lewis
Colin Dickinson
Thursday evenings at 7.30pm in the School hall of Corbridge Middle School
 Jane Hoyle
 
The Tynedale Orchestra was formed in 1988 to enable orchestral musicians in the Tynedale area to play symphonies and concertos. We give concerts twice a year in the Autumn and Spring terms.
Denis McCaldin
 
Alternate Sunday evenings (more before a concert), Peoples' Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne, normally 17:00 - 19:00
 Lisa Shaw
 
Enthusiastic and friendly string orchestra, established 50 years. We give concerts three times a year. We aim to maintain high standards and we occasionally have vacancies for good players.
Wensleydale Orchestra
Brian Wilderoder
 
7:30 - 9:30pm Mondays over 3 terms that roughly equate to school term times, Bellerby Memorial Hall, Bellerby. DL8 5QL
 Antonia Johnston(secretary) tel. 01969 663325
 
We may have a fancy name, but we are far from that! The Wensleydale Orchestra is a small but very friendly group of musicians. Our members have a wide range of musical abilities and all are welcome whether you have experience of ensemble playing or not! All you need is a musical instrument and a desire to experience the joy that is playing with other people to create music! We do not hold auditions. If you are interested give Antonia a call or email her for more details.
 
 
Friday evenings in Whickham
 Angela Curruthers
 
Currently a 35 piece adult wind band consisting of new players (around Grade 4 upwards), lapsed players and ex-professionals. We meet most Friday evenings in Whickham and we play (and make loads of mistakes) mostly for our own pleasure but we regularly give concerts... usually in support of local charities. We are pleased to welcome new players. We have shortages in some instrumental sections but there may be a waiting list for some others. Please get in touch.
Tony Hedley
 
Tuesday 10.30. - 12.30 at Whitehall Rd Methodist Church Hall Gateshead NE8 4LH
 Anne Lewis
 Julia Forster
We are a very friendly and enthusiastic band.Open to all wind players at any level. We’d love to hear from you!
 
 
Whittonstall Church, Whittonstall DH8 9JN, Every Thursday 6.30pm - 8pm during term time
 Andy Spencer on 07929 581412 or 01207 593378
 
We are an all age concert band who have been playing together since February 2014 and would love it if you could join us. We welcome players of all ages and standards, to encourage inter-generational opportunities within our community. If you are bored playing by yourself and want to share your experience with others be sure to come along.

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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