EMG Symphony Orchestra

Exciting new concert season : click here

For the latest Concert reviews : click here.

Welcome to the EMG Symphony Orchestra website.  This new site includes details of forthcoming concerts as well as general information concerning the many activities of the orchestra. Currently, it is the largest amateur symphony orchestra in the South West of England and serves a large Devonian community. 

If you would like to consider joining the orchestra, you will find all the information you need by clicking on the contacts age. Please phone or e-mail us immediately. Membership is strong and across a broad age range. Whoever you are, a warm friendly welcome awaits you. Young up-and-coming players are especially welcome to contact us even for a limited period of playing during their other academic studies. Subscriptions are low and include many benefits. There are no auditions as such. Prospective players are invited to attend a number of rehearsals.

The EMG Symphony Orchestra (EMGSO) is a registered charity (Number 1064282) with almost 100 full and associate playing members and is affiliated to the National Federation of Music Societies).

EMGSO organises a series of 3 - 5 major concerts each year in the city of Exeter and in towns around Devon. It has received much critical acclaim for its performances both in the UK and abroad under its Musical Director, Roger Hendy who has been with the orchestra for 20 years. The orchestra often couples with the EMGSO chorus for special concerts in Exeter Cathedral. Exciting choral-orchestral concerts have featured the works of Mahler, Poulenc, Rossini and Bernstein. Singers interested in joining us for our annual choral concert in Exeter Cathedral are warming invited to contact us. Click to the Concert season page now for help.

Orchestral rehearsals are 7.20 - 9.30 p.m. on Thursdays at WestExe College, Exeter. There is normally a short break for refreshments and announcements. Click here to find out more about playing and membership. Click here to go to our Musical Director's page.

As well as rehearsals leading to concerts, the orchestra frequently stages sectional and choral/orchestral workshops using professional players  from the City of Birmingham and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestras. There are also frequent social activities and dinners arranged for playing members, their families and Friends of the Orchestra. The orchestra also encourages players to form chamber groups and  small bursaries are available to players and groups to help develop playing technique and general musical skills. 

There have been a number of specially commissioned works performed in recent years.

The orchestra is privileged to have worked with so many talented musicians from the South West of England over the years. Some feature on a new special page. Click here.

EMG Symphony Orchestra has been associated with other orchestras and groups from the UK, France and Germany as is always looking for new cultural links both at home and abroad. The orchestra is managed by a very active committee elected annually in October at a brief AGM. The work of the orchestra is supported by sponsors, businesses, councils, Friends of  EMG Symphony Orchestra and many other helpers who assist with concerts. The orchestra  is strongly linked with many local and  national charities.