We are actively looking for new members to join us.
If you would like to register your interest in joining the orchestra please click below
Register your interest
If you would like to register your interest in joining the orchestra please click below
Register your interest
Southend Wind Orchestra (SWO) is a performing ensemble consisting exclusively of members of the woodwind family of instruments. It typically includes flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons and saxophones, all of varying sizes. The Woodwind Orchestra is virtually unheard of and there are very few such groups around the world.
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Initially founded in 2002 by its current Musical Director David Clark as a full concert band, SWO moved to become woodwind only in 2016, and since then has gone from strength to strength, making a significant contribution to the local music scene, and
rapidly building a reputation for excellence. There is only a very limited off-the-shelf repertoire of original music written especially for this type of ensemble, together with a small repertoire of arrangements of orchestral compositions, light music, and popular tunes. As a result, much of our repertoire includes pieces that have been arranged for us by our Musical Director, David Clark, including Folk Song Suite (Vaughan Williams), An American in Paris (Gershwin), Children’s Overture (Quilter), The Planets – Mars, Venus and Jupiter (Holst), Tall Ships (Goodwin), Harry Potter (Williams), Coppelia (Delibes), Thames Journey (Hess) and Southend Celebration (Sparke). |
SWO is open to all players of woodwind instruments of grade 6 standard or above. There are no auditions – a love of music and the desire to learn and improve are all that is required, together with a commitment to practise and to attend rehearsals regularly. Members come from all over Essex, with an age-range encompassing students through to senior citizens, all of whom have the minimum required qualification of grade 6, many who are grade 8 and above. The main benefit of membership is the opportunity to play music in a high-standard ensemble.
SWO frequently gives concerts at local venues around South Essex and has performed at the bandstands in Priory Park, Southend and Castle Park, Colchester.
We work with local musical choirs in Southend to put on shared concerts, including Orpheus Singers, Cantare and Da Capo Singers. In addition, SWO offers charity
concerts and has helped raise thousands of pounds for various local charities. Recent beneficiaries include The Music Man Project and Southend Neonatal Unit. A
highlight of the year is always the Festival of Remembrance.
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