Players
The Kent Messenger described MSO’s players as “A fantastically loyal group of players with amazing abilities.” Coming from all over Kent, they are recognised for all giving of their time unstintingly with more than 23 hours of rehearsal for each concert.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are normally held at Invicta Grammar School, Huntsman Lane, Maidstone ME14 5DS unless otherwise notified
Concert 1: 18 October 2025
September 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th, October 2nd, 9th, 12th (Sunday), 16th
Concert: Saturday 18 October 2025, 7.30 pm (Rehearsal 2.30-5.30 pm)
Concert 2: 29 November 2025
October 30th (Rochester Girls Grammar School ME1 3BY), November 6th (Valley Park School, Maidstone ME14 5DT), 13th, 20th, 23rd (Sunday), 27th
Concert: Saturday 29 November 2025, 7.30 pm (Rehearsal 2.30-5.30 pm)
Concert 3: Saturday 31 January 2026
December 4th, 11th, January 8th, 15th, 22nd, 25th (Sunday), 29th
Concert: Saturday 31 January 2026, 7.30 pm (Rehearsal 2.30-5.30 pm)
Concert 4: Saturday 21 March 2026
February 5th, 12th, 26th, March 5th, 12th, 15th (Sunday), 19th
Concert: Saturday 21 March 2026, 7.30 pm (Rehearsal 2.30-5.30 pm)
Concert 5: Saturday 16 May 2026
March 26th, April 2nd, 23rd, 30th, May 7th, 10th (Sunday), 14th
Concert: Saturday 16 May 2026, 7.30 pm Rehearsal 2.30-5.30 pm)
Rehearsal Shadow Experience
Our Orchestral Rehearsal Shadowing Experience provides students with the opportunity to experience what it’s like sitting ‘inside’ a high quality symphony orchestra, conducted by its popular conductor Brian Wright. This will appeal to musicians of approximately Grade 7-8 standard, although if someone is considering a career in music, there’s no minimum requirement, it’s the ‘experience’ that’s important
Contact John Moore for further info concerts@mso.org.uk
07544 715013
Talented Orchestral Players Scheme
Maidstone Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is regarded as one of the UK’s finest ‘community’ orchestras. In partnership with Kent Music, MSO is inviting young and talented orchestral players to attend rehearsals on term-time Thursday evenings from 19:30-22:00 and to play in up to 5 concerts a year. Talented Orchestral Players (TOP) do not need to live in Maidstone, indeed MSO players come from across the south-east to rehearse and play. Young players learning beyond Kent Music are equally welcome. The orchestra plays a wide range of orchestral repertoire under the direction of a professional conductor and with renowned soloists, and the TOP scheme allows young and talented players to develop their own experience of orchestral playing and repertoire.
The Talented Orchestral Players (TOP) scheme offers young and talented orchestral players (of approximately Grade 7+ standard) the opportunity to:
attend weekly term-time rehearsals with a large and accomplished symphony orchestra
perform in up to 5 concerts a year at a near professional level (Talented Orchestral Players will be asked to commit to all rehearsals for each concert in which they would like to perform but can commit to 1-5 concerts)
have a designated mentor who is a dedicated and approachable current member of MSO (in line with all safeguarding protocols)
If you are interested in joining the Talented Orchestral Players scheme, please talk to your teacher first and then contact Maidstone Symphony Orchestra by emailing secretary@mso.org.uk
Whilst violin and viola players are welcome to play in all concerts (subject to initial agreement on both sides), cello, double bass, percussion, wind and brass players may only be able to play alongside experienced players in rehearsals because these sections are already over-subscribed.
Full details of the orchestra and forthcoming concerts can be found at mso.org.uk
Contact John Moore for further info concerts@mso.org.uk
07544 715013