The Guildford Sinfonia Orchestra which has been running for over 20 years, will be starting 2023 under a new name and relaunch evening!! The ensemble which is for adult musicians, will be known as ‘The Surrey Arts Community Orchestra’, to better reflect their friendly and welcoming atmosphere and community ethos.

The orchestra started out based in Godalming, and then Guildford and now Woking. Conducted by Tanya Charlesworth, rehearsals take place at Westfield School in Woking on Thursday evenings during term time with an informal concert at the end of each term. Past performances have included Summer Sounds at Woking Bandstand, and a joint concert with Woking Wind Orchestra at the HG Wells Centre.

The ensemble plays a wide variety of repertoire, ranging from Baroque to the modern day, including film music, show songs and music from around the world. 

The orchestra will be holding an open rehearsal on Thursday 12 January 2023 from 7.45 to 9.30pm at Westfield School, and players of any orchestral instruments are welcome, particularly trumpets, bassoons, trombones and strings. Players are recommended to be of grade 5 standard or above (although it is not necessary to have taken an exam). This is great opportunity for musicians who have not played for a while to get back playing and many of the current members dusted off their instruments after long breaks from playing and haven’t looked back!

To join please complete the registration form. 

Membership costs £77 per term, but the first rehearsal is free of charge and you won’t be invoiced until you have decided you would like to join.

Please contact alison.harding@surreycc.gov.uk if you have any questions.