Join our orchestra

We are often looking for more players. Could you be our next member?

Perhaps you are looking to improve your instrumental skills, meet people with similar interests, or just enjoy performing. We're a friendly and diverse group of people and our rehearsals are professional but fun – something to look forward to every week. 

Our members have an input into which music is chosen each season, so we represent a broad range of classical tastes. 

When and where do we rehearse?

We rehearse on Monday evenings during school term-times, from 7.15 - 9.30pm, at St Benedicts School, Duffield Road, Derby.

​​Just prior to each concert, there are also rehearsals on the Friday evening from 7:15 - 9:30pm at St. Benedicts, and a rehearsal on the Saturday afternoon at the concert venue.

Who are we looking for?

We normally expect instrumentalists to be a minimum of Grade 7-8 standard but if you have lots of orchestral experience we'll be happy to talk to you.  

Contact us if you are interested.

Please note that we currently have no vacancies in our violin section.  

Will I have to audition?

No. If you are interested in joining, contact us and we'll invite you to a rehearsal. You can observe the session, see if it feels right for you and have a discussion with the section leader. 

Subscription charges

To help finance the concerts, there is a subscription charge for orchestra members. This is currently an annual fee of:
£88 for regular membership
£74 for concessions
£31 for students.

We try to keep subscriptions as low as possible and think they offer exceptional value.

Join the Committee

Would you enjoy helping to run the orchestra? We're managed by a voluntary committee made up of current DCO players. The Committee sets the direction for the orchestra and organises all of the concerts.

​If you have skills in management, finance, graphic/web design, publicity or fundraising, we would especially like to hear from you. Or perhaps you would enjoy helping with some of the practical tasks involved in preparing for performances? It's interesting work, great for self-development and can be very rewarding.

If you would like to know more, contact us.