Vacancies

We can currently accommodate players of around ABRSM grade 5 standard or above in most of our string sections. Players with any concerns about their ability are encouraged to contact us. We do not audition, but will be pleased to advise.

Forthcoming events

7th June 2025 @ 7:00 at St Mary the Virgin, Pulham St Mary - All welcome - Entry £12.50

Previous events

This, our 41st season

A Musical Miscellany

Saturday 7th June 2025 - Church of St Mary the Virgin, Pulham St Mary 

Our summer concert this year was at the kind invitation of the Parish Church at Pulham St Mary. Starting with three excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, the main item was Schubert's 8th Symphony, known as the "Unfinished", a lyrical and romantic piece ably played by the orchestra. The first half concluded with the Grasshopper's Dance by Bucalossi. The highlights of the concert were two bagatelles by Finzi with solo clarinet expertly played by Michael Bishop. This was followed by the delightful Scenes Rustiques by Mouton and a rousing rendition of the Dambusters March by Coates.

 

Our thanks to the members of the church for their welcome and refreshments for orchestra and audience.

Spring Concert

Saturday 12th April 2025 - Church of St Peter and St Paul, East Harling

Our spring concert this year was at the kind invitation of the Parish Church at East Harling. Starting with several excerpts from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite, the main item was Beethoven's 5th Symphony, which the orchestra played with their normal flair. After an interval, the church choir joined the orchestra in a rendition of Finlandia by Sibelius. The words evoke the true nationalistic nature of the piece, finishing with 'Thy morning's come, O Finland of ours!'. The concert concluded with some delightful Scenes Rustique by Mouton and the Grasshopper's Dance by Bucalossi.

 

Our thanks to the members of the church for their welcome and refreshments.

'Come and Play'

On a sunny and warm Sunday October 27th, 40 players of everything from high piccolo to sonorous, low double bassoon assembled in Pulham Market Memorial Hall. All the players came with huge enthusiasm, determination and not a little skill for a whole day's orchestral experience under the baton of the equally enthusiastic and inspiring Bernard Soper. On the menu: the Italian Symphony of the youthful Mendelssohn, the St Anthony Variations of Brahms, coffee, tea, and (as it transpired) an al fresco packed lunch in the newly transformed courtyard of the Memorial Hall.  Thank you! 

In a series of such events, this was yet one more happy and successful occasion, both musically and socially, prompting the double bassoonist to write: "it has become one of our favourite events in our nomadic orchestral calendar."

'Four Overtures and a Symphony'

Saturday 1st June 2024 at St Mary the Virgin, Pulham St Mary.

We were once again delighted to provide the church's spring concert, this year a light-hearted evening (as the chosen title suggests) revealing the capacity of classical music and its composers to entertain and amuse.

Our programme included Mendelssohn's ever-popular overture 'Hebrides' (Fingal's Cave), overture 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' (Otto Nicolai), overtures 'Cox and Box', and 'Iolanthe', (Arthur Sullivan), and Symphony No. 104 in D, the last of Haydn's 'London' symphonies.
 

A look back at our 40th season - and beyond!

'Come and Sing'

Saturday 28th October 2023 at St Mary Magdalene Church, Pulham Market.

Despite Covid and an assortment of seasonal ailments, some 30 singers finally took part in the event, forming a remarkably well-balanced chorus, its members enjoying an afternoon of study followed by tea and a 'scratch' performance, all under the baton of Margery Baker and accompanied by The Pulham Orchestra. 

The choral programme featured well known and loved choruses from Brahms' Requiem and Handel's 'Messiah'
and included Mozart's 'Ave verum corpus' and Mendelssohn's 'Lift thine eyes' (from 'Elijah'). 

A splendid performance of Mozart's 'Et Exsultate Jubilate', (motet for soprano), with former BBC Singer Lindsay Gowers as soloist, allowed singers a delightful, if not well-earned rest!

Our thanks to all who took part - and for several very kind donations.

Proceeds from the event have been donated to the church's heating fund.
 

'Come and Play' - Tchaikovsky

Sunday 24th September 2023 at Pulham Market

Tchaikovsky's first symphony, 'Winter Daydreams' Op 13, was selected as the major work for the day, another of our popular full day 'open' events. We were delighted that John Stephens, Director of Music with the Inspiration Multi-Academy Trust, once again agreed to take charge. 38 players attended - several instrumental sections were full!  

Concert

Saturday 8th July 2023 in Wymondham Abbey

A well-attended concert at Wymondham Abbey in collaboration with the Wymondham Youth Orchestra 
(Wymondham Youth Music Society), showcasing music in youth and the community. 
Included works by JC Bach, Bizet, Mussorgsky, Stravinsky and Thomas Armstrong.