Join us

We are an independent orchestra, and a registered charity, and our leader is Peter McGowan. We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7.35pm (setting up from 7.20) in the hall of Ealing Green Church, Ealing Green, W5 5QT.

The church is between The Grove and Grange Road, almost opposite the film studios, and the hall is tucked in behind it, via a green gate to the left of the church. Parking is available in the Broadway Centre car park, or in nearby streets from 7.30pm. The nearest tube stations are Ealing Broadway (District or Central lines) or South Ealing (Piccadilly line). Ealing Green Church is close to the Uxbridge Road where numerous buses pass, and the No. 65 bus from Kingston, Richmond and Brentford to Ealing Broadway stops at Ealing Green.

As you may have seen, we have quite a season lined up. Nothing to frighten you we hope, but plenty of challenge, and so much to enjoy.

Of course, we hope you can get to all of the rehearsals, but we do understand that some people find this impossible, and you won’t get the sack if you can’t manage every single week.

In addition to the concert schedule, we try to have some sort of awayday in the summer and a Christmas party – and a large contingent seem to find their way to the King’s Arms in The Grove, W5 after rehearsals (or sometimes the Red Lion in St Mary’s Road) – unless it’s a night for a curry. And extra concerts crop up from time to time.

We keep fees as low as we can, and our independent status means that we can be flexible. Music college students are welcome to join without paying as long as their presence doesn’t keep out a fee-paying member; there's usually room for more strings.

Membership is naturally subject to audition, but this is normally very informal. We have a range of abilities, of course, but as a very rough guide we tend to be thinking in terms of a minimum playing standard in the strings of around Grade 8 – though nobody will be asking to see your certificate!

If you are interested in joining the ESO or would like more information please ring Richard Partridge on 020 8567 4075, or you can email us.

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