All prospective members of the orchestra must audition for entry. To arrange an audition, please complete the online form which you can find here. However, please contact Julian Hardwick (Email Now) before completing the form to find out whether there is a space available for your instrument as some of our sections are currently full.
How to Join
If you are interested in experiencing the orchestra before deciding whether to audition, you are welcome to attend a rehearsal. Please contact Julian Hardwick who can arrange a convenient date.
Where to find us:
Training Orchestra:
St. Paul’s Community Centre
23 Inner Park Road
Wimbledon
SW19 6ED
Main Orchestra:
St. Cecilia’s Church Of England School
Sutherland Grove
London SW18 5JR
Audition arrangements
Auditions take place at St Cecilia’s Church of England School, Southfields in early September, and at other times each term. The auditions for the start of the 24/25 season will be over the weekend of the 7th & 8th September. New players are admitted to both orchestras at the start of each term, subject to the availability of places. At the audition you will be asked to play two contrasting pieces of music of your own choice which will be performed unaccompanied. Players may also be asked to do some sight reading.
The audition will make an assessment of which orchestra is most suitable for your standard of playing. As a guide, we suggest a minimum of Grade 7 for prospective members of the Main Orchestra and at least Grade 4 for the Training Orchestra. You do not need to have taken the grade exams.
Details of current membership fees are available from the Membership Secretary: (Email Now). No person who is musically eligible will be denied access to membership for financial reasons. Financial assistance towards the cost of membership is available for which applications should be made in the first instance to the Chairman (Email Now).