We are always pleased to hear from potential new members who would like to join the Brent Symphony Orchestra. We aim for high standards of musicianship while having fun and enjoying making music.
We have open vacancies for a co-principal Bassoon, Basses, a Tuba player, and string players. Please contact us at contact@brentso.org.uk if you would like to join Brent Symphony Orchestra.
Rehearsals: Wednesday evenings 7:15 – 9:45 (with tea break)
Dates: Approximately 8 rehearsals before each concert, following academic terms. We have fewer rehearsals for our winter and family concerts.
Location: St Martin’s, Mortimer Road, NW10 5SN
Transport: Close to both Kensal Green tube (Bakerloo & Overground), Kensal Rise (Overground), and the No. 18 bus route.
Access: Step-free access and a wide door
We expect you to be of approximately Grade 8 standard, although we’ll never ask you for your certificate. Good sight-reading skills are very helpful. We need you to commit to regular attendance throughout the year and to practice your parts at home.
Unlike many other orchestras, we do not have fixed string seats, and our wind players are all co-principals. We rotate violins between 1sts and 2nds at every concert, and our wind players often switch seats between pieces.
If you join the Brent Symphony Orchestra, your first term will be free. After that, we charge a small membership fee, and offer a discount if this is paid promptly in the term or annually, all up front.
As well as playing music together, we enjoy a very strong social scene, including post-rehearsal drinks and regular nights out. Our age range is wide, with some people just having left university and a few well into retirement.
Whether or not you choose to join Brent Symphony Orchestra it would be fabulous to see you at our next concert.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to audition?
Definitely not! Just come along to a rehearsal and see how you get along!
I haven’t played since uni 10 years ago. Will I be able to play?
We often have new members who haven’t played for a while and are brushing up on their skills. We’d be delighted to be part of you getting back into this wonderful hobby.
What music will I be playing?
We aim to be both popular and adventurous in our repertoire. Whilst we perform a wide range of music, we tend to focus on large orchestral works of the late 19th and 20th centuries.