Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra (BSO)
Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra is a group of 80-90 local players, including talented young musicians. Its programme is diverse and includes major symphonies and concertos. It rehearses in Bedford every Wednesday evening during term time. Our conductor is Bjorn Bantock.
Experienced musicians interested in joining the orchestra should contact [email protected] for more information. New players should be aged 16 and above and play to grade 8+ standard. Our annual subscription for 2026-27 is £165 (£55 for students in full-time education).
Current rehearsal schedules and information for players can be found in the Members’ area.
To browse all of our upcoming concerts and book tickets, including season tickets and special group discounts, visit our TicketSource page.
Bjorn Bantock – Conductor, Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra
Bjorn has over 30 years professional conducting experience and has enjoyed an extensive performance schedule conducting numerous ensembles and orchestras internationally. He has performed in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, China, South Africa, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Russia, Malta, Ireland, Norway and the UK. Bjorn is currently the principal conductor of the Irish Memory Orchestra which has toured throughout Europe, Ireland and South Korea. He has made numerous television and festival appearances to great critical acclaim and is the principal conductor for the Peterborough Philharmonic Orchestra.
Stephanie Waite – Leader, Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra
Stephanie is a busy professional violinist, performing all over the UK and abroad, and teaching at her home in Bedford. She works regularly with the City of London Sinfonia, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, London Mozart Players, National Symphony Orchestra and Britten Sinfonia.
A passionate chamber musician, she is a member of the Sinfonia Verdi Soloists, and guest 2nd violinist in the Berkeley Ensemble. As a teacher, Stephanie regularly works at the Royal Academy of Music and Trinity Laban Junior departments, and has for several years been part of the faculty of National Chamber Music Course.
