Frederick the Great may have been a less than perfect monarch, but he was a top-class flautist, Brahms wrote his first two string quartets for Theodore Billroth, a gifted musician who, during working hours discovered the streptococcus and became the first surgeon to operate successfully for stomach cancer and Borodin's day job was Professor of Chemistry at the St. Petersburg Medical School.

Between such gifted but nevertheless amateur musicians and those still struggling with basic technique, musicians playing for relaxation cover a vast range of talent. All have a great deal to learn, not only from teachers but from each other as well, and many appreciate the discipline required in rehearsing for and performing in a concert.

It was no doubt with these ideas in mind that the Rev. Wilfred Oldacre, who played the flute and had retired to Cranbrook, proposed the formation of a local orchestra. In the late 1960's this met at Dulwich Preparatory School where Oldacre was a part-time teacher, and moved to Cranbrook when John Williams became Cranbrook School's musical director.

The orchestra provides an outlet for those who enjoy playing together in an informal and friendly atmosphere, where they can exercise their skills and enhance their appreciation of the art and craft of music. It rehearses on a Monday evening between 7.30pm and 9.30pm during term-time, at Angley School in Cranbrook, and currently gives concerts in the Spring and Autumn. The gap between concerts allows time for the exploration of familiar and unfamiliar works, purely for enjoyment and the exploration of the repertoire.

Age is no barrier; some members have started as schoolchildren, while one illustrious player retired at the ripe old age of 92. Members come not only from Cranbrook but from further afield in Kent and Sussex. The orchestra's current conductor is Michael Robertson, Director of Music at Marlborough House School.

The orchestra, which has some professionally trained players and some semi-professionals as well as amateurs, is going from strength to strength, but, in common with a number of other amateur orchestras, we are currently very short of string and brass players.

We would be very pleased to hear from anyone who might be interested in playing with us, and also from those who could perhaps support us in some other way, such as administration, practical organisation, sponsorship, etc.

Our secretary, Aileen Lehos, is happy to be contacted by phone or email.
Telephone +44 (0)1580 766809
Email aileen@cso.org.uk