Join Us

We rehearse on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 to 9.30pm in The Studio at Camden School for Girls. We have around 65 regular members, with concerts featuring up to 75 players. Our players are keen musicians of all ages and backgrounds who come together with our professional conductor and leader to play music to a high standard. We are a friendly and sociable orchestra, but we do expect players to commit themselves to regular attendance throughout the term and undertake private practice. While many members live in Camden, others travel some distance to be part of the orchestra. 

We welcome enquiries from potential new members – details of current vacancies are below. Although we have a very loyal membership, with many long-standing players, vacancies arise from time to time so we’re always keen to hear from good, enthusiastic players who are interested in joining us. Please contact our Membership Secretary, Jane Brett-Jones for further information.

 

Current Vacancies - Spring Term 2024

Violins - We currently have space for a couple of extra violins to join us.

Double Basses - We would welcome regular double bass players to join our section.

Trombone - We have a vacancy for a 2nd tombone player.

Tuba - We'd welcome a regular tuba player.

Most of our sections are currently full, but this can change and we often need extra players for specific concerts. We sometimes need wind players as deps for rehearsals, and we often need extra wind and brass players for specific repertoire. So it's always worth contacting us if you're interested in playing with us, even if there's no applicable vacancy listed here!

We don’t hold formal auditions – membership is subject to an initial trial period of 2-3 weeks.

For string players, we do not specify a minimum playing standard, but if you are grade 7 or above with orchestral experience, you will probably find yourself comfortable in the orchestra. Violinists should be willing and able to play either first or second violin parts. Many of our wind and brass players are music college graduates.

The orchestra has a reputation for being friendly and relaxed, but we want to perform to the highest possible standards for a non-professional orchestra. The orchestra is therefore looking for players who want to make a regular weekly commitment to rehearsals - not just to do two or three rehearsals before a concert. We normally rehearse for ten weeks before each orchestral concert. While we understand that everyone has work and life commitments, we expect everyone to attend an absolute minimum of seven out of ten rehearsals and only miss rehearsals for very good reasons. Wind players are expected to find a dep for any rehearsals they miss. The afternoon rehearsal on concert days is compulsory for all players. Naturally, private practice is expected outside rehearsals!

All members pay a termly subscription. Students and unwaged members may pay a reduced subscription, typically half the standard rate, by arrangement with our Treasurer. Reduced price concert tickets are available to members, and we expect all members to help bring an audience to our concerts.
 

Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

CSO has a Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy, which the Committee periodically reviews it to ensure it remains up-to-date and appropriate for us.