Recruiting now!

Come and join us! Joining the orchestra costs only £25 per term with reductions for additional family members.

We meet on Thursdays from 7.00 to 9.00 p.m at Oakfield First School. See the "This term" page for more details.

To join the orchestra, you can use the form in the "Contact us" page, e-mail Elaine at wco@windsororchestra.org.uk, call on 01753 859123, or even just turn up, instrument in hand, at one of the rehearsals.

Our next concert

Come and hear us! Our next concert is the 2010 summer concert at 7:45 p.m. on Thursday 8th July, 2010 and will be held at the Oakfield First School. Entrance is free (though a voluntary collection is taken).

Introducing the orchestra

The Windsor Community Orchestra is a local orchestra for all ages, including children above 9 years old, young people and adults, who meet to learn a wide range of music and perform together in the community.

Anyone who plays a musical instrument is welcome to come and practice their skills of scales, reading music and technique to perform with us, whatever the standard. Currently, the orchestra contains recorders, guitars, keyboards,and saxophones as well as the more traditional orchestral instruments of violins, brass and woodwind. We welcome players of any grade or ability, but the orchestra is designed for those under grade 5.

We meet for 10 weeks each academic term, with a 1 week break in the middle. The first 9 meetings are rehearsals held at the Oakfield First School and are rehearsals preparing us for the the last week of the 10, which is is always a concert.

The orchestra is conducted and managed by Elaine Foakes. Elaine brings her vision, skills and many years of experience as a full time music educator to enable people of all ages and abilities to play well together.

All you need to be eligible to join is:

  • have your own instrument
  • be able to play some notes
  • read some music notes
  • be enthusiastic to play all sorts of music
  • be keen get to know the other players
  • be aged over 9
  • like chocolate biscuits and orange squash!

The type of music we play

We play all sorts of music, from the classical repertoire you might expect of an orchestra to more modern music. Occasionally, Elaine composes music especially for the orchestra and we have played pieces composed by members of the orchestra.

Elaine organises and arranges all the music, and tailors the music to the standard of each individual player, so no one is left out and everybody adds to the music the orchestra creates. It's a great way to improve their musical skills and each term concludes with a final performance all can be proud of.