Hello and welcome to the Marchwood Orchestra Website.
We are a small friendly group of amateur musicians, generally from the Southampton area. The orchestra was originally formed by a group of musicians who enjoyed being involved in playing music. Since its formation in 1988, the orchestra has gradually grown and now has about 30 regular members.
The aims of the orchestra are to give enjoyment and practice to the members, to encourage musicians to join and obtain higher musical standards and to bring music to audiences in Marchwood and beyond.
Rehearsals are held on Thursdays usually in Hounsdown School hall, in Hounsdown near Totton, starting at 7.30 finishing around 9.30.
During the year we perform four or five concerts with a wide repertoire, from classical to light modern which includes symphonies and concertos.
During the year we also meet socially for skittles evenings and barbeques and after concerts we often go for a curry together.
History of the Orchestra
Marchwood Orchestra evolved from a group of enthusiatic, amateur musicians who originally performed and accompanied at servies in St. John's Church Marchwood. In 1989 these musicians performed solo and ensemble pieces at a first concert, under the baton of Reg Martin. The group subsequently grew and an instrument fund was set up to acquire some more unusual and expensive instruments in order to give talented musicians the opportunity of playing. This brought more versatility and balance to the growing orchestra which now has a small stock of instruments available for anyone interested in playing. Our most recent aquisitions are a Cor Anglais, which was purchased with assistance from Dibdent Allotments to whom we are most grateful, and various pieces of percussion, including a snare drum and cymbals.
In 1997, Reg handed over the baton to Peter Robson. Since then the orchestra has widened its field and has performed concerts around Hampshire and the surrounding counties. In addition the orchestra has undertaken a number of trips to France and next year the orchestra are hoping to include another tour to France in its schedule.
In 2006, Tony Kitcherside, who had deputised for Peter for some time, was appointed as the conductor of the orchestra.
The orchestra rehearses weekly on a Thursday evening in St. John's Church, Marchwood. New members are welcome and anyone intersted in joining should contact the orchestra secretary, Caroline Quinn. For more details on the orchestra contacts, please see the contacts page.
