About Bedfordshire Orchestral Society

Bedfordshire Orchestral Society is a registered charity. It exists to support musical education and also to provide high quality classical music which is performed by musicians from the locality. There are two orchestras: Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and Bedford Sinfonia (BS). The BSO has approximately 80 members and its repertoire concentrates on the larger symphonic works of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Experienced instrumentalists who are interested in joining the orchestra can contact us through our website, or email [email protected].

Bedford Sinfonia is a smaller orchestra whose members join by invitation, and is widely acclaimed for its performing standard. It specialises in chamber works and aims to include a selection of twentieth-century music in its choice of repertoire.

Over many years the Society has been able to thrive by generous donations and bequests from audience members and members of the Society. New contributions are always needed and most gratefully appreciated. The Society benefits from tireless unpaid work from some 20 members of both orchestras to organise rehearsals, performances, membership, accounting, websites, social media and secretarial matters, for which we are all very grateful, and without which the running of the Society would be unaffordable. If you are interested in making a contribution, no matter how small, have ideas or contacts for potential sponsorship, or wish to place an advert in future programmes, then please contact our Treasurer, Clive Bachmanis [email protected].

The Society wishes to express its grateful thanks to all those charitable trusts, commercial sponsors, friends and advertisers for their financial support, notably:

Major Supporters: The Gale Family Trust for its generous support. The Harpur Trust, for a three-year grant to help the Society to build increased audiences along with revenues and encourage students in their playing, music studies, listening and enjoyment. The Wixamtree Trust for its generous grant. Bedford Borough Council in the form of discretionary grants from both Councillor David Fletcher and Councillor Luigi Reale. 

Supporters In Kind: The Making Music network (National Society of Music Societies), of which the Society is a member; Steve Monico Ltd of Goldington Road, accountants who advise and audit the Society’s accounts and Charity Commission filings; Jet the Dog, who design our programmes and posters; White Hart Press, who produce our programmes, posters and leaflets; and Mark Bowler, who has provided photography services.

Friends: Our orchestras attract a growing audience of regular supporters who often ask if they can support us on an ongoing basis. The Committee is currently developing a Friends scheme that will meet this need and which should be up and running for our 2025/26 season.

Keep in touch with us!

To keep up to date with our concerts and events, join our mailing list by signing up below:

(You will receive an email to confirm your subscription; you may need to check your junk email filter if this hasn’t arrived.)

You can also keep up to date with our news and events by signing up to our WhatsApp announcement service. You won’t receive more than 2 or 3 messages per month, and your number and any replies you write won’t be visible to anyone other than the BOS administrator. You can unsubscribe at any time, so give it a try and let us know what you think.