Founded in 1972, the Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra began as a group of amateur musicians playing for local productions of light opera and musicals, as well as giving concerts in its own right. Since then, the orchestra has grown significantly in both size and reputation, expanding its repertoire to encompass a wide range of classical masterpieces alongside contemporary works.

Today, the orchestra comprises around 50 semi-professional and high-standard amateur musicians. Each year we present at least three ambitious and exciting programmes at local venues. Recent highlights include Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Strauss’s An Alpine Symphony, Janáček’s Sinfonietta, and Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. Every two years, we also perform a large-scale choral work in collaboration with massed choirs from across the region.

The orchestra has been invited to perform at prestigious royal events in Windsor Castle, presented joint concerts with our European Twin Town partners, and provided the musical centrepiece for large-scale community celebrations such as the Maidenhead Carnival firework spectacular. We have also premièred new works by composers from within our own orchestra as well as from our European Twin Towns, reflecting our commitment to creativity, collaboration, and new music.

For thirty years Robert Roscoe held the position of Musical Director of the orchestra before passing the baton to Leon Gee who led the orchestra for twenty years through most of the giants of the orchestral repertoire including Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, Mahler's mighty 2nd Symphony, Strauss's Alpine Symphony and Holst's Suite, The Planets. The baton is now with Joe Davies who began rehearsing with the orchestra in September 2025, and we thank our WMSO President, The Rt Hon the Baroness Theresa May of Maidenhead, for her patronage and support..

An important part of our work is to encourage talented young musicians through our annual Young Musician Concerto Competition. Former winners include a number of players who subsequently became BBC Young Musician winners and finalists, including Martin James Bartlett, Ryan Wang, Ewan Millar and Jamaal Kashim. All our competition winners receive a substantial cash prize and are invited to perform a concerto with us.

The orchestra rehearse every Tuesday evening during school terms at the Dolphin School, Hurst, and a book full of fascinating details, facsimiles and photographs, written by Dr. Frances Jones, chairman of the orchestra is available via the link below. 

Whether you are a longtime supporter who attends every concert or someone considering a return after some time away, we sincerely appreciate your interest in the orchestra and your continued support of live music.

Our upcoming season features a diverse and thoughtfully curated programme designed to appeal to a wide range of musical tastes and audiences. From celebrated classical masterworks and orchestral favourites to contemporary works, guest artists, and special themed performances, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

If you have not attended one of our concerts recently, this season offers an excellent opportunity to reconnect with the orchestra and experience the energy and atmosphere of live performance once again. We invite you to explore the full programme for the new season and discover concerts that inspire, entertain, and resonate with you.

For more information or to get in contact click here. You can also discover the story of the orchestra in a book The first 50 years written by Dr Frances Jones, Chair of the Orchestra.