Orchestra
Conductor /
Leader
Rehearsal Venue / Times
Contact(s)
Michael Bell, MBE
Marisa Riordan
Llanarth Village Hall, NP15 2AU (10 mins from Abergavenny) 1830-2045 on Sundays
We are a community orchestra with members of all ages from 15 to 80+ who come from a 40 mile radius! We play interesting programmes and enjoy our rehearsals which are focussed towards performing our 3 concerts per year as musically as possible. New members are always welcome, particularly in the upper strings. We generally require a standard equivalent to at least Grade 6 but do not hold auditions. Contact us if you are interested in playing.
Simon Rowland
Tuesdays 7.30pm at St. Mary’s Church, Broughton, Flintshire, Chester, CH4 0QB
Founded in 1974, The Borders Orchestra provides opportunities for musicians of all ages and varying abilities to join together and make music. We play an eclectic range of music including everything from film and stage music, to classical and light music favourites. The aim of the orchestra is to provide a warm and friendly atmosphere to promote, improve and develop an enjoyment of playing together irrespective of ability. We usually hold 2 concerts a year in local community venues.
Michael Bell
Laurence Kempton
Rehearsals before each concert
Players do not rehearse regularly. Each of the four concerts a year has a rehearsal on the day, and one string rehearsal during the week before. There is a list of players who play with us regularly, and from this, people who are available, and where a vacancy exists are invited.
Dave Jones
Monday between 7 and 9pm in 'The Studio', Theatr Brycheiniog, Canal Wharf, Brecon,
The Band continues to flourish and is proud that in the past ten years, 10 of its younger musicians have continued their musical education at University level, many with the use of high quality Band instruments. We welcome all woodwind, brass and percussion players. We have a number of vacancies and have some instruments available.
Kristina Morgan
Whitchurch Methodist Church Hall, Penlline Rd, Cardiff, CF14 2AA. Fortnightly on Wednesday evenings 7-9pm
We're a non-auditioned flute ensemble that lets you play your flute in cheery company, learn new music and have some fun. We play a wide range of repertoire. For more information please visit the website
Georgia Steel
Monday evenings at Stanwell Road Baptist Church Hall from 7-9pm
Isaac Barrow (Orchestral Manager)
Rehearsing regularly, with a wide range of players from all musical backgrounds, we explore interesting and rarely heard repertoire, alongside old favourites - from new commissions to Beethoven, from song cycles to symphonies. Drop us a line to get involved! We are always on the lookout for new players, particularly strings!
Y Stwdio in Cardiff University's Students' Union, 18:30-20:30 on a Wednesday
We are a completely non-auditioned community wind band formed in 2001 and are open to anyone of all ages and abilities (although grade 5 is recommended). We do not have restrictions on the number of people who can join so we welcome any instruments although we are especially looking for brass players and percussionists.
Philip Heyman & Richard Barlow
Last Sunday of each month. 3-5pm at St Edward's church, Roath, Cardiff.
Starting in January 2017. It is intended for adult string players grades 1-5
Michael Bell
Jill Francis-Williams
Friday evenings during school terms, in Cardiff
Arthur Parkes (Administrator)
CPO performs an average of fifteen concerts each season. There are no auditions to join CPO, however there are rarely vacancies in the woodwind or brass sections.
Martin McHale
Denise Richardson
Monday evenings 7pm - 9pm in St. John the Evangelist Church, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1NX
We perform about 5 concerts a year in or around Cardiff often with challenging programmes. We do not hold auditions but members are expected to be at least grade 8 standard and have plenty of orchestral experience. Please contact us to enquire about vacancies.
Jack Miller
Monday 7:30-9:30 at the Earl Haig Club, Whitchurch. CF14 2AA
Cathays Brass is a newly formed brass band in the heart of Cardiff. Our aim is to provide a fun and enjoyable environment to create great music. Community is key to the objectives of the band, we aim to give an opportunity for all brass players in the heart of Cardiff to come together to play fun and exciting music. We will hope to perform regularly at concerts and events throughout the Cardiff area. New players welcome. Hope to see you all there in the near future!
Antony Tarlton
Simon Carter
Sunday afternoons from 3pm - 5.30pm, at The Lee Hall, Dinas Powys CF64 4AF
Mo Dorken (Secretary) 02920 706288
We are a community orchestra of all ages, providing a focus for local musicians throughout the Cardiff and Vale areas to enjoy and develop their talents. Under the professional and expert eye of our Musical Director, we are a friendly and enthusiastic amateur orchestra of semi and retired professionals, students and dedicated amateur musicians. We perform two concerts a year and welcome new players
Alida Watters
Every third Wednesday of the month, 7pm to 9pm in Swansea, venue may vary, please contact us
Alida Watters 07505355087 or 01792 896739
Mandy Cutliffe
We meet up once a month for a two hour ensemble, where we play and refine ensemble pieces we have been practicing, with input from our experienced teacher. The pieces we play together will have parts to suit different levels from beginner to advanced. We also have a WhatsApp group to share tips, support each other, and generally enthuse about all things cello!
Alida Watters
Di Painter
Monday 7pm to 9pm at St Catherine's Church Hall, Gorseinon, Swansea SA4 4AF
Alida Watters 07505355087 or 01792 896739
Mandy Cutliffe
A friendly, welcoming orchestra for adult learners and older teens in the Swansea area, suitable for any instrumentalist and players at grade 3 and above. We are a friendly mix of beginner and intermediate learners (grade 3+), and adults who haven't played in a while. Some of us hadn't played for over 40 years before joining! More advanced players are also very welcome. If you are 14+, can read music and ready to have fun, contact us now! We also have a collaboration with composer, Jacob Smith, who has written music especially for us. We hold concerts for the local community 2/3 times a year. We would love to hear from you however rusty you are!
Anna Beresford
Jane Sinclair
Monday night from 7:30pm until 9:30pm at St John the Baptist, Risca Road, Newport
City of Newport Symphony Orchestra is an enthusiastic and friendly amateur orchestra, with a passion to make music at the highest level. If you are interested in joining the orchestra, please get in touch.
Mark Jones
Mondays, during School terms 7 - 9 pm at Johnston CP School, Haverfordwest.
Formed 2007 the orchestra compromises of all age groups and of varied musical talents from early beginners, those dusting off their school instruments to those who have played for sometime. But above all we are very, very keen. Currently we are about 25 in number and wish to encourage musicians of all ages and skill levels, in particular brass and string players, to join us and help us create a great amateur orchestra.
Rosina Hearn
Ruth Parker
Thursday 6.30pm - 8.30pm at Guildhall, Rosehill Street, Conwy, LL32 8LD
We pride ourselves on being friendly and welcoming to both adults and young people of all abilities. Our programme is varied and we perform at least 2 concerts a year. Strings always welcome.
Gwent Baroque NEW
St John the Baptist church, Risca Road, Newport, Gwent. Meets Saturday mornings though do contact us as the venue can change.
Under the aegis of Newport Chamber Music Society, we're a Baroque string group exploring repertoire before 1750. Enquiries from wind and brass are welcome.
Lampeter Chamber Orchestra
John Frith
Rhiannon Fentimen
Approximately 3 concerts per year, 5 rehearsals in Lampeter for each concert.
John Crompton, Secretary, 01974-261478
An orchestra of good amateurs and semi-professionals/retired professionals. Players must be good readers, grade 5 and upwards. Most concerts in Lampeter and environs. Repertoire 18th to C20th. The next concert, long postponed due to Covid-19, will include the world premiere of “The Crystal Sea” for violin and orchestra, composed by our conductor John Frith for our leader Rhiannon Fentimen.
Sally Marshall
Tuesday 7.30-9.30pm at The Tabernacle, Machynlleth
Via the website
Machynlleth Wind band was founded in 1998 by our Musical Director Sally Marshall. It has gradually increased in size and in expertise and now has about 25 regular members. It has received grants for the purchase of instruments, some of which are available for use by band members and others which are out with children in the local community who are learning to play.
Mark Purdy
Fortnightly in Newtown, Powys
We are string players from Mid-Wales and Shropshire Borders meeting fortnightly to play music together. Concerts and social events. New members welcome.
David Davies
Jane Rogers
Fortnightly, 7 to 9 pm Fridays at Monmouth School for Boys. See website for details
A 40-strong friendly and welcoming orchestral group which has grown in expertise and size. Continually looking for new players particularly violins, double bass and a second bassoon. We suggest a playing level of around Grade 5 but would recommend coming along and having a go. No auditions necessary.
Mark Jennings
Pontargothi Memorial Hall twice a month on a Sunday afternoon.
01267 290429 or 07769 295306
We seek new members - whether you are a budding (but tolerant) virtuoso, a hobbyist just starting out, young or old, playing a tuba or a piccolo, double basss or a violin: you do not need to be an advanced player to learn and have fun - our MD will set the music to match your skill level.
New Titley Phil
David Hatcher
2.15 on a Monday afternoon in Titley Village Hall (near Kington, Herefords.)
Annie Nethercott 01547 560369
Our conductor is period instrumentalist and renowned Viola da Gamba player, David Hatcher. We play mostly 17th and 18th music - increasingly with baroque bows on gut strings.
North Wales Clarinet Choir
Music students from Bangor University
Two Sundays a month from Sept to June. 1.30pm-3.30pm in the Scout Hut, Menai Bridge.
We are a small, friendly ensemble of adults of varying ability. We play a variety of music, including new compositions by music students from Bangor University. We are always looking for new members and welcome all standards of clarinet playing.
North Wales Saxophone Choir
Thursdays 7pm-9pm in Menai Bridge.
We are a small, friendly ensemble of adults. We play a variety of music, including both classical and swing. We are always looking for new members and welcome all standards of saxophone playing.
Dr David Russell Hulme
Jayne Robinson
Every Wednesday, Old College, 7.30 to 9.45
Nia Mair Jones
David Russell Hulme
Closely associated with the University of Wales at Aberystwyth, anyone interested in joining should contact the Director of Music
Jack Bridger
Deana Stacey
Sundays 6-9pm at Awel Y Mor Community Centre, Hutchwns Terrace, Porthcawl CF36 5TN
We welcome people from all musical backgrounds at the PCO and pride ourselves on our diverse membership - we have professionals, students and adult returners who all enjoy making music together. We require that you are at least of Grade 5/6 standard before joining us. A short term instrument loan may be available in some cases.
Edward John
Becci Goss
Thursday evenings 7.30 - 9.30 at Y Pant School, Pontyclun, South Wales.
RSO was formed in Tonypandy in 1968. Our players include a whole range of enthusiastic amateurs, schoolchildren and students, many music teachers, and some of the original orchestra members. It draws musicians from across South Wales and performs between 3 and 5 concerts annually in venues across Rhonnda Cynon Taf and surrounding counties.
James Grindle
Siwan Edwards
Wednesday 7-9pm, Urban Crofters, Crofts St, Cardiff CF24 3DZ (followed by a drink/food in a local pub!) Predominantly term-time.
Roath Chamber Orchestra (formerly St Anne’s Orchestra) was founded in September 2013 by a group of musical young professionals who regularly met on a Wednesday evening for few drinks. On realising there was at least 1/8 of an orchestra in the room the ensemble was formed and the first mission was to find additional keen music makers in the beautiful city of Cardiff! Since then the orchestra has grown in strength and ambition performing at least four public concerts a year including a Family Concert in the Summer Term. Our repertoire is mainly chamber orchestral works (symphonies and overtures) with members of the orchestra regularly volunteering to perform a concerto with the rest of the ensemble. We have performed works by composers such as Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Tchaikovsky. We are particularly looking for regular Viola and Brass players. However, if you would like to be added to our list of deps, please get in touch via email or drop us a Facebook message. @RoathChamber
Jenny Armitage
Fridays, 19:30-21:30 Barry Island Community Centre, Barry Island, Barry
Rusty Players is a friendly, relaxed orchestra for those who want to dust off their instrument and get back into the swing of things - or even those who have taken up a new instrument and are looking to join an ensemble. We recommend that players are confident in reading music but there are no auditions, and everyone is welcome to come to a free taster session to see if it is the right fit for them before signing up as a member. All instruments welcome!
Thursday evenings 7:15 -9:15pm Carmarthen Scouts Hall, 16 Woods Row, Carmarthen, SA31 1BX
Sarah Marshall 0121 569 2616
Rusty Players is a friendly, relaxed orchestra for those who want to dust off their instrument and get back into the swing of things - or even those who have taken up a new instrument and are looking to join an ensemble. We recommend that players are confident in reading music but there are no auditions, and everyone is welcome to come to two free taster sessions to see if it is the right fit for them before signing up as a member. All instruments welcome!
Geraint Hilbourne
Whitchurch Methodist Church Hall, CF14 2AA on Mondays from 7:45-9:30pm
St Alban's Wind Band Cardiff is a friendly community wind band with a 125 year history. We play a range of music from traditional wind band pieces to marches, musicals, film, pop and classical. New players of any wind instrument are always welcome, and there is no audition to join. The band is made up of all ages and abilities. Come along and play with us!
Alison Dite
Nori Hirano
At St Edward's Church, Blenheim Road, Roath, Cardiff. Monday evenings 7.00-9.00pm.
We normally give three concerts a year. New players welcome, especially in the strings. Orchestra has a large library. St Edward's Chamber orchestra performs many symphonies from the late 18th/early 19th centuries. We also hold regular concerts where our members are given the opportunity to perform solos or chamber music, as well as some members performing concerti with us. We rehearse and perform in St Edward's Church which has a marvellous acoustic.
St Edward's String Orchestra
Alison Dite
Alison Dite
At St Edward's Church, Blenheim Road, Roath, Cardiff. Wednesday mornings 11.00am-12.30pm
St Edward's String Orchestra rehearses 11am-1pm on Wednesday mornings. We have a large music library including all concerti grossi by Handel, Scarlatti, Geminiani and Corelli, and also 19th and 20th Century music for strings. We give performances about three times per year, sometimes with the Church choir. There is no audition, and all standards of string players are welcome.
Mike Pilley
First Tuesday of the month, 38 Fields Park Road, Newport, South Wales, NP20 5BB. 6.30-8.30pm with tea break
Oliver Ludlow 01633 677729
The Bassoon Band (South Wales) was formed with the intention of providing an opportunity for bassoon enthusiasts to come together and enjoy a musical experience through collective bassoon playing. It is an informal group that meets regularly on a 'drop in' basis once a month to play a variety of music from eclectic genres, from classical to modern, and we welcome suggestions for new music to try. Parts range from easy to hard and we welcome all standards of bassoon playing.
Nigel Jones
Paul Noden
Alternate Wednesdays 7.00pm to 9.00pm at St Edward’s Church, Roath, Cardiff CF23 5DE
We ask for a playing standard of Grade 7 and above. The clarinet choir consists of former professionals, instrumental teachers and talented amateurs playing Eb clarinet, Bb clarinet, alto clarinet and bass clarinet (plus contra). There are no auditions.
Fortnightly at the Swansea Male Voice Hall in Manselton
01792 775265 or 07908644359
Swansea Accordion Orchestra was founded in the early 1980. We play a wide genre of music from an extensive repertoire. We have a selection of accordions that are given out on loan. The orchestra consists of approx. 15 accordionists, drummer, guitarist and percussionist and we welcome new members from musicians of any instrument who can read music. Due to recent retirement we are seeking a musical director/conductor.
Andrew George
Jan Osman
Monday 7-9pm, Brangwyn Hall
A symphony orchestra made up from local amateur players around the Swansea area. visit our website for more details.
Stephen P Price
All Souls Church Hall, Tycoch, Swansea on a Wednesday night only between 7.30 – 9.30pm
The City of Swansea Concert Band was founded in 1968. We welcome new players of wind or percussion instruments, particularly Bassoon and French Horn players
Michael Cottam
Rhys Watkins
Sunday in the Llangadog Community Hall. 7.45 to 9.30 pm
Michael Cottam 01550 777604
Formed in 1993 for players of all ages, amateur and professional, to express their talent on their varied instruments and to experience the pleasure of orchestral performance. It aims to provide for audiences in the Towy Valley programmes of music that they might otherwise not be able to hear in live performance. Subject of a BBC4 documentary series, November 2006
Johanna Bartley
Mondays, 6:30-7pm beginner band, 7-8pm Youth Band. Term time only. Llys-y-cwm Hall, Gwaunmiskin Road, Beddau, CF38 2AU
Johanna Bartley 07729 144690
We are a youth brass band based in Beddau, Rhondda Cynon Tâf. We also have a learner band for any child who would like to learn (we can hire out instruments). Please get in touch with Jo for more info or visit the Facebook page.
Windbags
Clare Walker
Rehearsal before concert from 9.30 am
Windbags is a group of amateur wind and brass players that was founded by our resident conductor, Clare Walker, some 25 years ago. Based around the Brecon area, we are a friendly group of people who come together to play light classical music once a quarter for a full day's workshop / rehearsal, followed by a short, informal concert and a sumptuous tea! We're always happy to welcome new members (preferably Grade 5 and above).
Monday in Parciau community centre, Bellevue Park, Wrexham LL11 1AY 7.30pm-9.30pm
A friendly ambitious symphonic wind band based in the heart of the city of Wrexham with some 40 members but we are always on the lookout for more. So please any brass, woodwind or percussion players please get in touch.
Guest conductors
Guest leaders
Wednesday evenings between 7:15 and 9:30 at William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University, Wrexham
Accompanying text: We are always keen to hear from good string players who are interested in joining the Orchestra. We are also happy to hear from good musicians who play other instruments, as from time to time other vacancies do become available, even if only on a temporary basis.