Joining the Orchestra
If you would like to join our innovative and ambitious orchestra, we would love to hear from you
We welcome all string players who can cope with our repertoire, and meet on Wednesday evenings at St. Catherine’s Argyle Church on Grange Road in Edinburgh.
Terms run from September to December, January to March and April to May with a concert at the end of each term.
Our Culture
A welcoming environment, on and off the stage
We value inclusivity and connection as much as musical excellence and love the social element of our orchestra.
We have players of all ages and a range of nationalities. Many of our members have played with us for a number of years but we also warmly welcome newcomers.
We enjoy catching up during our weekly coffee breaks and hold an annual Christmas Party for our members.
About the Orchestra
One of Scotland’s oldest Chamber Orchestras
EChO is a welcoming and inclusive string ensemble which has fun rehearsing and performing together, whilst offering an innovative program of workshops for our members.
We hold around 20 rehearsals and 3 concerts per year.
The social side of our rehearsals is as important to us as our musical enjoyment of playing together.
Memberships
Membership Information
Our annual subscriptions are £70, or £25 for students/unwaged.
We do not hold formal auditions. Instead, we ask potential members to come and play with us for a relaxed four week trial period, to see how they settle in, before committing further.
What Our Members Say
EChO is a group of like-minded folk who get together to play and share music. A welcoming, vibrant orchestra. A joy to play with, to discover new repertoire and learn new ways of exploring old classics in an un-pressured, friendly environment.
Taking the jump back into chamber music after 10 years away from orchestras and music-making was made not so daunting by the EChO. I felt welcomed from the outset, even before joining the first rehearsal. The members make the orchestra, and the space that has been created to play, socialise and enjoy time with music has been a joy to be part of over the past few years.
The repertoire is interesting and unusual - particularly some of the baroque pieces, which are rarely heard live.
EChO strikes the perfect balance between making music for fun, and striving for musical excellence.
I look forward to rehearsals every week, knowing I will catch up with friends as well as play some great music.
A great group of players, run by a brilliant and dedicated committee, playing some fantastic music!
I have never played with such a welcoming and friendly orchestra.
Great to have the opportunity to play baroque and classical repertoire in a friendly environment.
