Bedfordshire Orchestral Society
The Society exists primarily to promote musical education in Bedfordshire. In furtherance of this aim, the Society runs two orchestras, Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra and Bedford Sinfonia. The Society regularly organises and promotes more than ten classical music concerts each year in and around Bedford, featuring performances by its two orchestras.
Young Composers’ Competition 2026
Bedfordshire Orchestral Society is excited to announce a search for new compositions by local students aged 14-19, to be performed in a concert by Bedford Sinfonia on Saturday 2 May 2026.
We’re looking for short compositions to be part of a concert that features works by other teenage composers including Mozart and Arriaga. The conductor will be Ian Smith and the soloist will be the internationally renowned soprano and former Bedfordshire student, Carolyn Sampson OBE.
Closing date for applications: 16 February 2026.
To find out more and to apply, see the full competition information here.
Book tickets for our concerts
BSO and Bedford Sinfonia give concerts throughout the year and you can buy all tickets online through our TicketSource page. Under-18s can attend our concerts for free! Our new season ticket is now available for the 2025-26 concert season – simply select 5 tickets across 5 concerts for this season and get 20% off. Group tickets are available too: buy 4 adult tickets and get one free. Visit our TicketSource page here.
Join us as a player
Experienced musicians interested in joining Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra should contact [email protected] for more information. New players should be aged 16 and above and play to grade 8+ standard. Our rehearsals are at Bedford Greenacre Independent School, Manton Lane, Bedford on Wednesdays 7.30 – 9.30pm during term time.
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Our next concert
Brahms / Sibelius / Glinka
BSO plays Brahms Symphony No.1, Sibelius Violin Concerto (with Jakub Jakowicz) and Glinka Overture to 'Ruslan and Ludmila'
Saturday 28th February 2026 @ 7:30 pm
Great Hall, Bedford School
Find out moreBedfordshire Symphony Orchestra (BSO)
BSO is a group of 80-90 local players of all ages, including talented young musicians. Its programme is diverse and includes major symphonies and concertos. It rehearses in Bedford every Wednesday evening during term time.
Read moreBedford Sinfonia (BS)
Bedford Sinfonia specialises in works for chamber orchestra, wind ensemble and string orchestra, and a healthy selection of twentieth-century works. Membership is by invitation.
Read moreBedford Choral Society
Bedford Choral Society is one of the oldest in the country. It has around 130 active members and has an open door to welcome any new singers interested in joining. Repertoire includes the works of Bach, Handel, Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn and Elgar, alongside more unusual or contemporary pieces.
Read morePromoting orchestral music in Bedford
Bedfordshire Orchestral Society has established a reputation for high quality amateur and semi-professional performances of a wide range of classical music repertoire. The Society comprises two orchestras, Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and Bedford Sinfonia (BS). The orchestras are often joined in their concerts by established soloists of international repute.
