Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra

gloucestershire symphony orchestra music for everyone

  • About
    • Conductor – Glyn Oxley
    • Leader – Marie Roberts
  • Concerts
  • Previous Concerts
    • Children’s Concerts
  • Gloucestershire Young Musician
    • Previous Gloucestershire Young Musicians
  • Contact GSO

About

Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra is one of the county’s leading amateur/semi-professional orchestras, providing a platform for local composers and soloists. We encourage young musicians and audiences, for example by hosting the Gloucestershire Young Musician competition, and by maintaining close links with Gloucestershire Academy of Music.

We play classical music from all eras, including modern works and first performances.

Playing members

We are keen to welcome new members as players, and we are currently looking to expand the size of our string sections. There are no formal auditions but players should ideally be Grade 7 standard or above, and we invite new players to sit with a section leader during rehearsal, prior to being admitted into the orchestra.

Wind and percussion players are expected to be post Grade 8 standard, and woodwind players equivalent to diploma standard.

If you would like more information, or would like to discuss joining the orchestra, please contact us.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals are weekly during term time at Elmbridge Primary School, Elmbridge Road, Gloucester, GL2 0PE (enter via Sisson Road) on Tuesdays 7.30 – 9.30pm unless otherwise stated. The rehearsal prior to the dress rehearsal is 7.15 – 9.45pm. Interested players are welcome to come along and try us out!

GSO rehearsal with violist Bill Ko Tsz Hin

Previous concerts photos and videos

See our Previous Concerts page.

Other activities: Flashmob 2014

On Saturday 24 May 2014, the Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra, led by Glyn Oxley, set up unannounced at the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Gloucester. Members of the public were invited to conduct the orchestra…

GSO in Eastgate Shopping Centre, Gloucester

  • Glyn Oxley conducts GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
    Glyn Oxley conducts GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
  • Shopper conducts GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
    Shopper conducts GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
  • Shopper conducts GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre 2
    Shopper conducts GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
  • Young conductor leads GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
    Young conductor leads GSO in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
  • Orchestra playing in Gloucester's Shopping Centre
    Orchestra playing in Gloucester's Shopping Centre

Orchestra Committee

We welcome all members to join the committee and contribute to organising the orchestra, aiming for diversity of instruments, ages, experience, etc. Members are also encouraged to help with organising without being on the committee, for example, providing refreshments at rehearsals and concerts.

Conductor – Glyn Oxley
Leader – Marie Roberts-Watkins
Chair – Viv Hargreaves
Secretary – Karen Williams
Treasurer – Jim Webster
Concert Manager – Damian Kenny
Membership Secretary – Helen Calder
Librarian – Gill Greenwell
Other members: Suzanne Blewett

The committee also monitors Safeguarding and Data Protection.

History

Gloucestershire Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1901 by Cathedral organist Sir Herbert Brewer and conducted by Herbert Sumsion, John Sanders and Mark Finch, before Glyn Oxley was appointed in 2014.

GSO has performed in more than a dozen venues throughout the county and beyond, including Gloucester Cathedral, Cheltenham Town Hall, Pittville Pump Room, Tewkesbury Abbey, Stroud Subscription Rooms, Cirencester, schools and churches, Gloucester shopping centre, and even underground in Clearwell Caves in the Forest of Dean!

It played at Gloucester’s Three Choirs Festival in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2007.

  • GSO performing in Cheltenham Town Hall 2007
    GSO performing in Cheltenham Town Hall 2007
  • Musical director Glyn Oxley, right, with former conductor Mark Finch
    Musical director Glyn Oxley, right, with former conductor Mark Finch
  • GSO 2010 with conductor Mark Finch
    GSO 2010 with conductor Mark Finch
  • GSO performing in Clearwell Caves 2009
    GSO performing in Clearwell Caves 2009

We are supported by members and friends, grants and sponsorship.

Upcoming Events

Nov 20
7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

GYM Concerto Concert

View Calendar

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