List of Local Ensembles - Updated September 2025
I made a little list of some local ensembles for both adults and children, and thought this might be helpful. Playing in an orchestra, choir or other ensemble is a fabulous thing to do and I would encourage you to join something! I have met loads of great people through playing in orchestras ... some of them are still my friends now!
Here's a useful article about the benefits of playing in an orchestra: https://www.halsbury.com/resources/why-join-an-orchestra
And an interesting article from Classic FM about why there are so many violins in an orchestra! https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/violin/why-orchestras-have-so-many-violins/
Ensembles / Orchestras - CHILDREN
Check with your school whether they have an ensemble and/or a choir that you can join.
Surrey Arts Ensembles
Prima Strings
Beginner to Grade 2. Wednesday 5.30pm until 6.30pm, Tillingbourne School, Chilworth.
Cost: £75 Apply for Prima Strings
Opus Strings
Grade 2 to 4. Wednesday 5pm until 6.30pm, Tillingbourne School, Chilworth.
Cost: £90 Apply for Opus Strings
South West Surrey Youth Orchestra
Grade 4+. Wednesday 6.45pm until 8.45pm, Tillingbourne School, Chilworth.
Cost: £105 Apply for South West Surrey Youth Orchestra
Surrey County Youth Orchestra
Surrey County Youth Orchestra (SCYO), is a full symphony orchestra comprising around 85 instrumentalists from all parts of Surrey. It performs a varied repertoire from the eighteenth to twenty first century.
The orchestra aims to give at least one concert each term, performing regularly at: The Harlequin in Redhill, Dorking Halls, Farnham Maltings and H.G. Wells in Woking, as well as the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican.
For the latest concert information go to the Surrey Music Hub's events page.
The orchestra rehearses each Friday evening during term time at Westfield School, Woking, from 6.45pm to 8.45pm. It is tutored by a team of professional musicians.
How to apply to become a member
You can apply online to become a member:
Apply for Surrey County Youth Orchestra
The cost of membership ranges from £75 to £105
Ensembles / Orchestras - ADULTS
Surrey Arts Community Orchestra
Formally Guildford Sinfonia, Surrey Arts Community Orchestra is a friendly amateur orchestra for adult learners of all abilities. Members range from Grade 5 to 8 standard.
At the end each term there is an informal concert for family and friends.
Rehearsals are on Thursday term time only, at Westfield School, Woking, from 7.45pm until 9.30pm.
Please contact Surrey Arts for more information and to become a member.
(Was Guildford Sinfonia)
https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/arts/music/ensembles/other-ensembles#guildford-sinfonia
[email protected]
XY Strings Community Orchestra
XY Strings community orchestra welcomes string players of all ages to play in a friendly and supportive setting. Formerly the Guildford YMCA orchestra, XY Strings is grateful for the support of the Guildford Music Society based at the Guildford URC and St Nicolas' Church in Guildford where we rehearse on Tuesdays during term time from 6pm to 7.30pm. Our music selection includes classical pieces and string arrangements of folk and pop music, from approximately Level 2.
https://www.xystrings.org/
Chertsey Orchestra
https://chertseyorchestra.co.uk/
Welcome to Chertsey Orchestra and thanks for visiting!
Do you play an instrument? Would you like to play a wide range of music in a fun environment with other like-minded musicians?
Chertsey Orchestra rehearses 19:00 – 20:45 on Tuesdays in St. Peter’s Church, Chertsey.
All Ages. All Abilities. All Instruments. No Auditions. Everyone is welcome!
You can also contact Claire for more details or to enrol / book a free taster session on 07886 187 951 or [email protected]
Godalming Orchestra
Godalming Orchestra meets on Thursday evenings 7:30-9:00pm - making live music together - new members welcome
https://www.facebook.com/p/Godalming-Orchestra-100083040235691/
Surrey University Orchestra
The University of Surrey Orchestra invites local musicians to come together each year to practice and perform to the public.
If you would be interested in attending any future Orchestra Day events, or in further information in becoming a member of the orchestra please email: [email protected]
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/search?query=orchestra
GRADE 8 PLUS
Woking Symphony Orchestra
Guildford Symphony Orchestra
etc.
CHOIRS
You might want to consider joining a choir
Rock Choir https://rockchoir.com/
Woking Choral Society https://www.wokingchoral.org.uk/
Or another ensemble near you!
Any questions, do let me know.
Also, do remember I'm happy to help you with your orchestra parts if you find them a bit tricky!
Best wishes
Jane.
Here's a useful article about the benefits of playing in an orchestra: https://www.halsbury.com/resources/why-join-an-orchestra
And an interesting article from Classic FM about why there are so many violins in an orchestra! https://www.classicfm.com/discover-music/instruments/violin/why-orchestras-have-so-many-violins/
Ensembles / Orchestras - CHILDREN
Check with your school whether they have an ensemble and/or a choir that you can join.
Surrey Arts Ensembles
Prima Strings
Beginner to Grade 2. Wednesday 5.30pm until 6.30pm, Tillingbourne School, Chilworth.
Cost: £75 Apply for Prima Strings
Opus Strings
Grade 2 to 4. Wednesday 5pm until 6.30pm, Tillingbourne School, Chilworth.
Cost: £90 Apply for Opus Strings
South West Surrey Youth Orchestra
Grade 4+. Wednesday 6.45pm until 8.45pm, Tillingbourne School, Chilworth.
Cost: £105 Apply for South West Surrey Youth Orchestra
Surrey County Youth Orchestra
Surrey County Youth Orchestra (SCYO), is a full symphony orchestra comprising around 85 instrumentalists from all parts of Surrey. It performs a varied repertoire from the eighteenth to twenty first century.
The orchestra aims to give at least one concert each term, performing regularly at: The Harlequin in Redhill, Dorking Halls, Farnham Maltings and H.G. Wells in Woking, as well as the Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall and The Barbican.
For the latest concert information go to the Surrey Music Hub's events page.
The orchestra rehearses each Friday evening during term time at Westfield School, Woking, from 6.45pm to 8.45pm. It is tutored by a team of professional musicians.
How to apply to become a member
You can apply online to become a member:
Apply for Surrey County Youth Orchestra
The cost of membership ranges from £75 to £105
- Membership is open to string, woodwind, brass and percussion players up to the age of 18.
- Players should be of approximately Grade 7 standard or above, but there is no need to have taken an exam.
- Admission to the orchestra is by audition.
Ensembles / Orchestras - ADULTS
Surrey Arts Community Orchestra
Formally Guildford Sinfonia, Surrey Arts Community Orchestra is a friendly amateur orchestra for adult learners of all abilities. Members range from Grade 5 to 8 standard.
At the end each term there is an informal concert for family and friends.
Rehearsals are on Thursday term time only, at Westfield School, Woking, from 7.45pm until 9.30pm.
Please contact Surrey Arts for more information and to become a member.
(Was Guildford Sinfonia)
https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/arts/music/ensembles/other-ensembles#guildford-sinfonia
[email protected]
XY Strings Community Orchestra
XY Strings community orchestra welcomes string players of all ages to play in a friendly and supportive setting. Formerly the Guildford YMCA orchestra, XY Strings is grateful for the support of the Guildford Music Society based at the Guildford URC and St Nicolas' Church in Guildford where we rehearse on Tuesdays during term time from 6pm to 7.30pm. Our music selection includes classical pieces and string arrangements of folk and pop music, from approximately Level 2.
https://www.xystrings.org/
Chertsey Orchestra
https://chertseyorchestra.co.uk/
Welcome to Chertsey Orchestra and thanks for visiting!
Do you play an instrument? Would you like to play a wide range of music in a fun environment with other like-minded musicians?
Chertsey Orchestra rehearses 19:00 – 20:45 on Tuesdays in St. Peter’s Church, Chertsey.
All Ages. All Abilities. All Instruments. No Auditions. Everyone is welcome!
You can also contact Claire for more details or to enrol / book a free taster session on 07886 187 951 or [email protected]
Godalming Orchestra
Godalming Orchestra meets on Thursday evenings 7:30-9:00pm - making live music together - new members welcome
https://www.facebook.com/p/Godalming-Orchestra-100083040235691/
Surrey University Orchestra
The University of Surrey Orchestra invites local musicians to come together each year to practice and perform to the public.
If you would be interested in attending any future Orchestra Day events, or in further information in becoming a member of the orchestra please email: [email protected]
https://www.surrey.ac.uk/search?query=orchestra
GRADE 8 PLUS
Woking Symphony Orchestra
Guildford Symphony Orchestra
etc.
CHOIRS
You might want to consider joining a choir
Rock Choir https://rockchoir.com/
Woking Choral Society https://www.wokingchoral.org.uk/
Or another ensemble near you!
Any questions, do let me know.
Also, do remember I'm happy to help you with your orchestra parts if you find them a bit tricky!
Best wishes
Jane.
