Welcome..

... to the Crowthorne Symphony Orchestra website.

We are an amateur orchestra based in Crowthorne, Berkshire, and have attracted our membership from Bracknell, Wokingham, Camberley, Ascot, Reading, and as far afield as Maidenhead, Aldershot, Newbury, Woking, Guildford and Andover. We are an enthusiastic, light-hearted group who make music for enjoyment’s sake, but who take rehearsals, practice and concerts seriously. Players are of all ages and come from all walks of life.

Our Director of Music is Robert Roscoe, who joined us in 2007. Under Robert’s leadership, the Orchestra has performed varied and challenging programmes including popular classics as well as less well-known pieces. We invite a soloist to join us at least once a year.

Why don’t you come along to our next concert? If you are a competent player and would like to join us, or would just like to know more about the Orchestra then please browse this site or get in touch.

News

Open Workshop Sunday September 12th
CSO's annual Open Workshop is coming up on Sunday September 12th – our main work will be Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique, as well as The Sorceror's Apprentice. Orchestral parts can be downloaded here: Berlioz, Dukas. Click here for more information about the day and how to book your place.

Programme Notes Online
We're very fortunate that Joanna Lavender, one of our First Violins, researches and writes original programme notes for our concerts, and we're posting them here after each concert with the aim of building a useful and interesting resource. Amateur orchestras are welcome to use the notes so long as you credit Joanna and the CSO. Have a look at our new Programme Notes page!

UPDATE: Concert Raised £2000 for Church Fund!
We are very pleased to announce that our donation from the Summer Concert to St John's Repair and Renovation Fund will be a massive £2000!

Summer Concert
The Orchestra's Summer Concert on July 3rd was a huge success. A capacity audience packed the church and thoroughly enjoyed the programme – we even had to play an encore! – and while we are still adding up the exact total we're certain to be able to make a substantial donation to the Church Repair and Renovation Fund on top of the £250 presented on the day. New photos (thank you Oliver!) give a flavour of the evening and also show the cheque presentation by Orchestra Chairman Martin Leech to the Vicar of St John the Baptist, Rev Lisa Cornwell – check out our gallery page to see them.

Soloist Announced for Bruch Concerto
We are delighted to announce that Sarah Sew will be joining us to play the Bruch Violin Concerto in our November concert. As a soloist, Sarah has performed the concerti of Bruch, Elgar, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Tchaikovsky and Vivaldi, as well as giving chamber recitals and orchestral concerts. She is the current Leader of the European Union Youth Orchestra. Click here for the full concert programme.

Symphonie Fantastique for Open Workshop
In a change of programme for our September Open Workshop, we've had to postpone Stravinsky's Firebird, our previously advertised work. However, we're pleased to announce that the main work will now be Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique. Click here for more information about the day and how to book your place.

Autumn Term
Rehearsals start on Monday 13th September (the day after the Open Workshop) and there will be a half-term break on Monday 25th October.