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 take place every Thursday evening during school term times from 7.30pm – 10pm, and are normally held at Invicta Grammar School, Huntsman Lane, Maidstone ME14 5DS unless otherwise notified.
Sunday rehearsals are held the weekend before concert dates from 2.30pm – 6.30pm.
Concert 1: 24 October 2026
September To be confirmed
Concert: Saturday 24 October 2026, 7.30 pm (Rehearsal 2.30-5.30 pm)
Concert 2: SUNDAY 29 November 2026
To be confirmed
Concert: SUNDAY 29 November 2026, 3.0 pm (Rehearsal tbc)
Concert 3: Saturday 30 January 2027
To be confirmed
Concert: Saturday 30 January 2027, 7.30 pm (Rehearsal 2.30-5.30 pm)
Concert 4: Saturday 20 March 2027
To be confirmed
Concert: Saturday 20 March 2027, 7.30 pm (Rehearsal 2.30-5.30 pm)
Concert 5: Saturday 15 May 2027
To be confirmed
Concert: Saturday 15 May 2027, 7.30 pm (Rehearsal 2.30-5.30 pm)
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 our Secretary for further info secretary@mso.org.uk