About us

Our history

The Orchestra was formed in 1997 by Dr David Townsend and Mrs Frances Edwards (both then learning the clarinet as adults) and their teacher Owen Clarke, to provide an opportunity for musicians in and around Sherborne to play orchestral music.  We met initially as a rehearsal orchestra in the Big School Room at the Boy’s School on one Sunday in each school term.  In 1998 it was decided to put on a concert at the end of the season and so the format of four Sunday meetings with a concert given at the last meeting of the season was set. An annual concert was given for 22 years till the Covid restrictions called a temporary halt in 2020.

The orchestra is currently conducted by John Jenkins, the former director of music at Sherborne School for Girls, and lead by Lucy-Anne Allen, head of strings at the Sherborne Boys School.

The Orchestra provides a much needed opportunity for local instrumentalists to play through and perform orchestral repertoire in a full orchestra in an informal atmosphere.  New members are always welcome for all sections and more string players are always particularly needed.