Membership of the orchestra is by subscription and is subject to conditions as outlined in the Rules and Constitution. There are no formal auditions or entry requirements, although players will normally be expected to have had some orchestral experience. However, a willingness to learn and a commitment to attend Tuesday evening rehearsals regularly are equally important. Instrumentalists interested in joining the orchestra are invited to contact us. We also welcome enquiries for short term membership – if you’re studying here for a year, or on a short term work placement for example?
All regular rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings at Shirley Methodist Church, 257 Stratford Road, Shirley, B90 3AL between 19:30 and 21:45. Please try to arrive by 19:15, and always bring your own stand – there are no stands at the venue.
The subscription rate for 2025-26 is £165. We encourage members to pay online annually, but a termly rate of £65 may be accepted on request. The subscription covers the costs of rehearsals, orchestral tuition and occasional sectional coaching from professional musicians. There is no charge for full time school, college or university students under the age of 30. Members have the option of paying for interval refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits and cake) for the year (£15) or termly (£5) either separately or as part of their subscription – £180 for the year, or £70 per term. It is not possible to pay for refreshments with cash on a week by week basis.
New members are welcome at any time, although the first couple of weeks after a concert to begin preparation for the next are usually the best time to join. Subscriptions are not normally charged for any prospective new member’s first term – and there’s no charge for refreshments during this period either!
At the moment, we are actively looking for extra players in the following sections
Strings – particular vacancies for two double basses, but 1st and 2nd violins and violas are always welcome.
Timpani / percussion – enquiries welcome from any musicians able to help with percussion parts on concert days, and from timpanists (ideally with their own kit.) We’re very happy to consider school or college students who are learning drums and would like to try playing in an orchestra! We maintain a waiting list for woodwind and brass players interested in joining us in the future, and willing to deputise at short notice for occasional rehearsals or works with expanded wind sections. Please contact us if you would like to be on the waiting list – or if you have were last in contact more than a year ago, please get in touch againto make sure we have your up to date details.
Keyboard players are sometimes needed for concerts, but enquiries are welcome from anyone willing to attend occasional rehearsals as well to fill in occasional harp, xylophone or piano parts.
When you become a member, you will be given login and password details for the Members Only pages. Please contact us if you’re a member of the orchestra and don’t have login details.
updated 28 August 2025
