The ELLSO Symphony Orchestra is a friendly enthusiastic orchestra meeting on 10 Thursday evenings each term (7.15pm to 9.30pm) in East London.
The music is challenging, so, as a guide, this group is for players who have reached a confident Grade 6+ (or ELLSO Stage 5). If you are around that level and want to contact us with a view to giving it a try you will be made very welcome!
We do not hold auditions, but players need to be reliable.
We often have places available for string players, and sometimes there are vacancies for French Horn and other woodwinds.
Where We Meet
We rehearse in the beautiful and historic Hawksmoor church of St Anne's in Limehouse:
St Anne's Church, Limehouse
Commercial Road
London
E14 7HP
There is parking in the churchyard.
The church is very close to Westferry DLR and a 10 minute walk from Limehouse DLR. It is also easy to catch a bus down Burdett Road, from just around the corner from MIle End tube Station.
Supportive
Our philosophy is to be supportive of each other and organise ourselves without hierarchy. We spend much longer learning pieces than other orchestras because we have a range of skills and we analyse the music in a good deal of detail.
The end product is always to a high standard and our concerts are usually well attended and enjoyable occasions.
Conductor
Our conductor is Khac-Uyen Nguyen. Uyen has conducted the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the Hebrides Ensemble,the Klassische Philharmonie Bonn in Germany.
He is also a guest conductor of the Southwark Sinfonia, Southend Symphony Orchestra, the London City Side Sinfonia, and associate conductor of I Maestri Orchestra. Most recently, Khac-Uyen has conducted concerts with the Vietnamese National Symphony Orchestra in Hanoi Grand Theatre.
Concerts
The Symphony Orchestra performs selected pieces from our repertoire during the ELLSO end of term concert for friends and family.
We also present our own public concerts each year in December and July.
Costs
To play in this group you need to become an ELLSO member (annual subscription £15)
Rehearsal fees are then £90 per 11 week term (some concessions are available)
Term Dates for September 2023 to July 2024
For a list of Thursday evenings when we rehearse see here.
Joining us
Go here if you would like to enquire about vacancies