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About the orchestra

Founded in 1919 by Claud Powell, the GSO established itself throughout the inter-war years as an amateur orchestra of distinction. Famous composers came to conduct, notably Elgar with his violin concerto, Vaughan Williams with his fifth symphony and Roger Quilter with his Children's Overture. Other guest conductors have included Adrian Boult, Arthur Bliss and Charles Groves. After Claud Powell's death in 1959 Ralph Nicholson took over with his inimitable combination of warm-hearted humour and fine musicianship; in 1990 the baton passed to Darrell Davison, under whose expert and dynamic direction new heights have been scaled.

The last decade has been a period of particularly impressive development. The orchestra has grown in numbers and in reputation; both the standard of playing and the difficulty of the works played have risen; the GSO is now the only Guildford orchestra regularly offering a full-scale programme of 19th and 20th century symphonic music. The musical development of young people has long been a priority with the GSO: its 'Tidings of Joy' concerts at the Cathedral see a large children's choir performing Christmas songs they have composed, and in February or March of each year five young instrumentalists of exciting promise are featured playing concerto movements in the annual Young Artists' Concert.

The GSO sees itself very much as a community orchestra, with close links to local charities who benefit from the retiring collection at each concert. Before the closure of the Guildford Civic Centre, GSO played a series of popular Family Concerts promoted by Guildford Borough Council. We have now restarted these concerts at the Royal Grammar School.