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Hitchin Symphony Orchestra
HSO is, at present, an orchestra of Classical proportions. We usually engage professional players when performing works from the Romantic or modern periods. We would ideally like to continue growing the size of the orchestra so this becomes unnecessary.
The current members of HSO have diverse backgrounds: teacher, engineer, scientist, nurse, dentist, accountant and more. Some of us have been in the orchestra for years, others have joined more recently. Many of us live in the Hitchin area but a number travel in from further afield. We are a friendly group and go out for a meal at the end of each term.
The orchestra rehearses on Wednesday evenings from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm at Kingshott School (situated on the A602 Stevenage Road just outside Hitchin). See the Members page for further information.
Vacancies
HSO is keen to hear from players interested in joining the orchestra – there are currently vacancies in all string and some brass sections. To cope with the music, we normally expect a minimum standard of Grade 6 for strings, Grade 7 for brass or Grade 8 for woodwind. However, experience is always taken into consideration. Please email our Conductor with all membership enquiries. If there is a space for your instrument then we welcome prospective new members to attend a couple of trial rehearsals to see how they get on.
Membership
Our membership fee for the 2024–25 season is set at £75 per term, involving about 12 rehearsals leading to a concert. We have a student membership rate of £25 per term for those aged 16+ in full-time education or training. There are two 'terms' per year, running from September to November and January to May. If there is a Hitchin Festival concert in June/July then there will be a smaller membership fee to cover costs for the rehearsals.
As a registered charity, Hitchin Symphony Orchestra can reclaim 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate in membership fees. Please find our online Gift Aid Declaration here or download a PDF copy here.