Shrewsbury Orchestral Society was founded in 1888, making it one of the oldest amateur orchestras in the country. The Society operates as a registered charity with the purpose of "educating the public in the art and science of music". A Committee of volunteers organises a minimum of three concerts each year of orchestral works usually including a symphony or other substantive work.

Shrewsbury Symphony Orchestra is supported by our Music Director, John Moore and Orchestra Leader, Alex Postlethwaite. Concerts are held in various locations in or around Shrewsbury; further details are elsewhere on this website.

The Society has for a long time engaged top quality soloists, recent examples are displayed below. More recently the reputation of the orchestra has encouraged some performers to ask to perform with the orchestra in preparation for London concerts and world tours.

From its humble beginnings in the 19th century when a group of enterprising and forward-looking Shrewsbury residents, including local merchants and solicitors, met to “establish an orchestral society in the town”, the Orchestra now has playing forces of around 70 players tackling varied programme of mainstream and lesser known works.

Would you like to join us? Visit our Vacancies page for more information

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Soloists

Soloists who have appeared with the Orchestra have included a number of talented local players. In addition to these, however, the following have also performed as soloists with the Orchestra: