“Barnet Symphony Orchestra is a vibrant, engaging and dynamic orchestra based in North London. Throughout the year we play and perform classical music in an enjoyable and sociable setting. While we aim to achieve a high standard of performance, we truly believe that, as an amateur orchestra, enjoyment is the most important part of any music making experience. This means that our members truly look forward to Monday evenings from both a musical and social perspective.
We perform three concerts a year; usually in November, March and July. We warmly welcome new players throughout the year (especially strings and brass) so we’d love anyone to come along.
We have a professional conductor and leader for all our rehearsals who both bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the rehearsals. Their expertise really does allow us to grow as individual musicians and as an ensemble to produce some wonderful performances. We also regularly work with professional soloists which is inspiring and draws the best out of the orchestra.
If you’re interested in coming along and playing then call us on 07990 510102. We’d love to see you at our next rehearsal.”
Choral and organ recitals in St John the Baptist Church in Barnet.
“Finchley & Friern Barnet Operatic Society are a friendly, welcoming, and thriving amateur dramatics group based in North London. We rehearse in New Southgate and perform at The Dugdale Centre in Enfield.”
“Finchley Chamber Choir, recently described by Making Music as ‘one of London’s finest amateur classical choirs’, was formed in 1973 and maintains close links with its sister organisation, Finchley Symphony Orchestra, both groups giving regular seasons at Trinity Church, North Finchley, including some joint concerts.”
“Finchley Symphony Orchestra (FSO) is a successful non-professional orchestra in north London. We give 5-6 high standard concerts a year and are constantly looking for new challenges and opportunities.”
“Finchley Choral Society (FCS) is a thriving, North London, community choir, which was founded over a hundred years ago to give local people the opportunity to study, practise and perform choral singing. Today we are proud to be recognised as one of the area’s leading choral societies. Under the acclaimed leadership of our Music Director, Grace Rossiter, assisted by our outstanding accompanist Richard Harvey, FCS performs a large part of the choral repertoire including both great classical works and more modern pieces, some specially commissioned for the choir.”
“Hampstead Garden Opera (HGO) brings live opera, fully staged with orchestra, at reasonable prices to the people of north London and offers performance opportunity and training to young singers. We have been recognised by critics as one of the finest of small opera companies. We have won, and on other occasions been nominated for, the Offie for best opera production – an award for the best production outside the West End.”
“The Mill Hill Music Club was founded in 1955 by Mr Wilfred Ransom who at that time was deputy manager of Barclays Bank in Swiss Cottage. He had interviewed a concert pianist who couldn’t quite manage to clear his overdraft and Wilfred, being a member of Toc H, staged a recital, the pianist paid off his overdraft and the Mill Hill Music Club was founded and has become one of the most prestigious music clubs in London, if not in the country.
The following years were exciting. Musicians such as the Amadeus Quartet who were in their early days in their career gave many concerts. The then young Vladimir Ashkenazi gave his first U.K. recital when he came to London. Arthur Rubenstein told his agent always to book him for “Hill Mill”. Kiri Te Kanawa stepped in at short notice to replace another singer who was unwell, and Alfred Brendel, Radu Lupu, Jacqueline du Pre, Isaac Stern, Pinchas Zuckerman Moieseiwitch have been among the many distinguished names who have performed.
In recent years we have been privileged to hear some of the world’s finest soloists, ensembles and a host of very talented newcomers to the music world. To name a few, the Israel Piano Trio, ConTempo String Quartet, Chilingirian Quartet, Mitsuko Uchida, Tacacs String Quartet, Artur Pizarro, Idil Biret, Emma Johnson, Yevgeny Subdin, Jerusalem Quartet and the Aviv Quartet.
The Club is always looking for new members and helpers and if you would like to offer your services we will be delighted to hear from you.”
“The Mill Hill Musical Theatre Company was founded as the Mill Hill Amateur Operatic Society by Richard Graves in 1954. Over the past 60 years we have put on a wide range of theatrical productions – you can see a list here. We have always met and performed in Mill Hill, north-west London, but welcome members and audiences from all over London and the Home Counties.
Each year we perform two shows. Our main autumn show is a fully-staged musical or operetta, held over four nights and open to the public. Our spring ‘Patrons’ Party’ is put on exclusively for the valued patrons of our Company, and is usually a musical or revue.”
“The North London Festival of Music, Speech and Drama takes place each year, usually in April and May. We offer a huge range of competitive classes covering Piano, Singing, Choirs, Orchestral and Chamber Groups, Composition, Stringed and Wind Instruments of all descriptions, Speech and Drama. We aim to offer something for everyone, but if you don’t find a class that suits you, do get in touch and we will try to create one especially for you.”
Proms at St Judes Music and Literary Festival.
“Welcome to Southgate Opera, one of the premier amateur opera companies in London. Founded in 1964 the company performs an ever changing programme of productions featuring opera, operetta and musical comedy.
Our productions are fully staged and costumed, feature a full chorus and are accompanied by an orchestra.
Run by volunteers, Southgate Opera is a registered charity and is dedicated to making opera accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
We welcome new members, whether you wish to perform, help behind the scenes, backstage, with costumes or props.
Come along to watch one of our rehearsals and meet the company.”
“The Youth Music Centre was established in Bigwood House, Hampstead Garden Suburb in 1967 and since that time has become one of the foremost Saturday morning music schools in London.
The essential aim of YMC is to welcome all children from the age of two to eighteen years into our community and to help them achieve their highest musical potential within a creative and happy environment where they can come together to enjoy making music.
YMC provides classes in musicianship skills for the very youngest children before they embark on instrumental lessons at the age of five or six. After a year of group lessons on the violin, viola, cello, double bass or recorder children are ready to have their first orchestral experience. We also provide theory classes up to grade 8 and voice/aural classes. We are proud to say that we have many children who stay with us for their entire music education.”
“We have set up this community fundraising choir to raise much needed funds for Cancer Research UK. The choir will meet once a week and money will be raised through weekly subscriptions and fundraising concerts and performances. We are a modern choir singing popular songs through the decades. We may even throw in a little gospel every now and then. All profits will go to CRUK.
Join us at St Marthas School, Camlet Way, Hadley Wood EN4 0NJ on Thursdays at 7.30pm or the Subud Centre, 97 East Barnet Road, EN4 8RF on Tuesdays 10.30am to midday. Weekly subscription £8.00/£5 students.”
“The Hertfordshire Showband based in Potters Bar Hertfordshire, is one of the UK’s most successful marching bands. The 60 strong band is administered by the Hertfordshire Band Academy and caters for young people and adults.
Members have the opportunity to perform in competitions, concerts and events both locally and abroad. Over the past few years the band has competed in the World Music Contest, World Showband Contest and the European Marching and Showband Championships, winning no less than 6 gold and 3 silver medals.
The showband has also performed at Windsor Castle, The Royal Tournament, NFL at new Wembley Stadium, Saracens at new Wembley stadium, Birmingham Tattoo, Disneyland Paris, The Lord Mayor’s Show in London, and in many other prestigious events and parades.”