Registered charity no: 1207921

Dorset Sinfonia is an amateur classical orchestra drawing on the talents of musicians from throughout Dorset.

We play for the pleasure of making music as a group, advancing our abilities and encouraging newcomers. Our repertoire covers popular classical music, film music and music from the shows. We rehearse every Wednesday during term time at Weymouth Bay Methodist Church and entertain audiences with our concerts held at the end of each term.


Above all, our philosophy is:

MUSIC FOR PLEASURE FOR ALL

Our mission is to provide a platform for amateur musicians of all ages to come together and enjoy performing music to the highest level of skill we can attain. 

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Dave Ansell has been the  Conductor and Musical Director of the orchestra since 2010.

Dave Ansell has been the Conductor and Musical Director of the orchestra since 2010.

During this time, he has encouraged and led us through an eclectic mix of new and exciting music. His skill and enthusiasm are infectious and we have all been greatly encouraged by his humour, brilliant analysis and professional direction. Dave is also a professional horn player, and brass and piano teacher for Wessex Music and Perrott Hill School.

"I grew up in Dorchester where I played the horn and piano with many local groups including the Durnovaria Silver Band, Weymouth Operatic and one of Dorset Sinfonia's earlier incarnations, the Weymouth Arts Centre Orchestra.


“I pursued my love of music, going on to play horn with ensembles such as the Alexandra Brass Quintet, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, ROUT contemporary music ensemble and the National Pops Orchestra. Along the way I have taught brass and piano and conducted a number of groups including a salsa band on Guernsey. It was also Guernsey that provided me with my partner and the Sinfonia with its leader, violinist (and string teacher) Rachel Greenwood.


“Now, some 15 years into my return to Dorset as well as my teaching and horn playing (sometimes as a BSO extra), and in addition to now conducting the Sturminster Newton Orchestra and Weymouth Concert Band, I find myself still heading up the lovely Dorset Sinfonia. We have pulled in all sorts of local solo talent over the years, such as the legendary Duncan Honeybourne, as well as collaborating with various choirs - in recent years the Christmas concert with Weymouth Choral becoming something of a favourite." - David Ansell, Musical Director.

LEADER

Rachel Greenwood  has been the Leader of the orchestra since 2010.

Rachel started playing violin at the age of 8 in Staffordshire. She remembers it cost her parents £2 for the loan of the instrument and tuition for a whole year! She went on to study in Liverpool where she was awarded a first in performance. Her teaching and playing career has seen her journey from Liverpool to Guernsey, then to Northamptonshire, and she is now settled in Dorset.


As well as leading the Dorset Sinfonia, rachel plays in many other quartets and orchestras on violin and viola. Her most recent project is playing on authentic baroque violin and viola with South West Baroque Orchestra and other smaller ensembles.


Rachel has been teaching violin and viola in both the state and independent sectors for many years. When her son was tiny, she took on a baby and toddler music class, ‘DO RE MI time’, which is still going strong 11 years later. She feels privileged to enjoy such a varied working week exploring a wide range of music genres and platforms.

HISTORY

Dorset Sinfonia started life as The Weymouth and District Arts Centre Music Group way back in 1958. All likely instrumentalists were invited and there was a good response from the strings but insufficient woodwind and brass players to make a full orchestra viable at the time.
The first engagement of the group was to provide background music at a "conversozione" for the Weymouth/Louviers Twinning Association, which proved a success and the group were asked to perform again at a similar event later that year. The orchestra was launched and additional members including brass, woodwind and percussion players joined and the group grew to encompass all sections of a standard classical orchestra.

In 1962 the name was changed to the "Weymouth Arts Centre Orchestra" and played under the musical direction of Mr Harvey Easton for eight years up until his retirement in 1971. For the next few years the orchestra had a variety of conductors until Mrs Angela Nankivell conducted her first concert with the orchestra in May 1980. Under her direction the orchestra prospered and concerts were given twice a year in many and various locations. Angela was unfortunately forced to retire through ill health in 2009.
We perform three concerts each year and welcome the support of visiting players and soloists as each programme dictates.
 We welcome new members from across Dorset and are currently looking to increase our numbers.
This page includes Term Dates.
If you're interested in joining the orchestra or have  a general query, please contact us.
Links to friends and partners.
Links to local press articles.
Reviews from people who've attended our concerts.
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