St Botolph's Music Society

St Botolph's Music Society Founded in 1966 by Colin Nicholson and Rodney Tomkins. We perform four concerts per year at St Botolph's Church in Colchester.

We also provide performance opportunities for talented and emerging local young musicians. St Botolph’s Music Society was founded by Colin Nicholson and Rodney Tomkins in 1966. To begin with they established a choir. Shortly after this they formed an orchestra to accompany the choir. Over the years SBMS has organised festivals, concert series, and holiday courses. We have also welcomed talented lo

cal performers and renowned international soloists. Continuing our ethos of supporting young musicians, we are also pleased to offer performance opportunities to young and emerging local musicians. In 2016 we celebrated our 50th anniversary with a celebration concert, performing many of the same pieces as were played in the very first concert in 1966. The society is still going strong today. We perform four concerts each year, with our concert seasons running between September and July. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings at St Botolph’s Church, observing the school terms and holidays. New orchestra members are always welcome. For more information on this, please contact us.

🎻 Could your musical journey continue with SBMS?We're always delighted to welcome new players to St Botolph's Music Soci...
09/08/2026

🎻 Could your musical journey continue with SBMS?

We're always delighted to welcome new players to St Botolph's Music Society.

Whether you've recently finished your studies, have moved to the area, or are simply looking to return to orchestral playing, we'd love to hear from you.

We rehearse:
🎼 Thursday evenings (during school term time)

We perform:
🎵 Four concerts each year in the wonderful acoustic of St Botolph's Church, Colchester.

We welcome players with a recommended minimum standard of Grade 5 (or equivalent) who enjoy making music in a friendly and ambitious community orchestra.

If you're interested in joining us, visit our website and head to 'Join Us'. Link in comments.

30/07/2026

🎶Throwback Thursday🎶

Looking back to our Family Film Concert in February. A few clips from the Pirates of the Caribbean medley by Badelt. 🎻 Cello solo: Nicky Sirett.

🎥 Video: Petya Todorova & Jonathan Hallam

✨ 60 years of music. One unforgettable evening. ✨Join us as St Botolph's Music Society celebrates its 60th Anniversary w...
25/07/2026

✨ 60 years of music. One unforgettable evening. ✨

Join us as St Botolph's Music Society celebrates its 60th Anniversary with a spectacular gala concert devoted to the glorious music of Camille Saint-Saëns.

From the exotic rhythms of the Bacchanale from Samson & Delilah to the lyrical beauty of Havanaise, the moving La Muse et le Poète, and the much-loved The Swan, this special evening culminates in the awe-inspiring Symphony No. 3 "Organ Symphony" - one of the greatest orchestral masterpieces ever written.

We're delighted to feature outstanding local soloists Melinda Greenfield (violin), James Greenfield (cello), and Philip Elwell (organ), making this a truly memorable celebration of music and community.

✨ 60th Anniversary Gala
📅 Saturday, 21 November 2026
🕢 7:30pm
⛪ St Botolph's Church, Colchester

For six decades, we've brought live orchestral music to Colchester. Whether you've supported us for years or are joining us for the first time, we'd love you to celebrate this milestone with us.

🎫 Tickets £15 (concessions available). Link in comments.

Book now and be part of this unforgettable anniversary celebration.

🎶Throwback Thursday🎶Just a few photos from our 2025-26 season, with Bethany Reynolds and Oliver Toms helping us to close...
23/07/2026

🎶Throwback Thursday🎶

Just a few photos from our 2025-26 season, with Bethany Reynolds and Oliver Toms helping us to close the season with a spectacular concert!

What’s your standout moment from our 2025-26 season?

🙏🏻Thank you for coming!🙏🏻What an incredible end to our 2025-26 season! Two outstanding performances from Bethany Reynold...
11/07/2026

🙏🏻Thank you for coming!🙏🏻

What an incredible end to our 2025-26 season! Two outstanding performances from Bethany Reynolds and Oliver Toms, making their concerto debuts.

Thank you to all who’ve supported us this season, to all musicians (both SBMS members and deps), and to Hervey Benham Charitable Trust who’ve continued to sponsor us.

We’re all having a well-deserved break for the summer. However, our next concert is already on sale on our website - it’s a rather special one too!

We’re just about to start rehearsals for the Young Soloists Concert. Ticket sales online are now closed, but tickets wil...
11/07/2026

We’re just about to start rehearsals for the Young Soloists Concert. Ticket sales online are now closed, but tickets will be available to purchase at the door from 7pm.

ColchesterMusic YoungSoloists ClassicalMusic LiveMusic Orchestra Mozart Haydn Dvorak Rossini

🎺It's concert day!🎹The day is here to see two of Colchester's talented and emerging young soloists! Bethany Reynolds and...
11/07/2026

🎺It's concert day!🎹

The day is here to see two of Colchester's talented and emerging young soloists! Bethany Reynolds and Oliver Toms will both be performing their first full concertos with orchestra tonight. SBMS will also be performing Rossini's Overture to the Barber of Seville, and Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 "From the New World".

‼ We're into the last hours of online ticket sales! Online ticket sales close at 12pm.

🎫 Tickets available via link in comments.

🎺Hello Thursday! It's rehearsal day!🎺It's the final Thursday rehearsal before our Young Soloists Concert this Saturday. ...
09/07/2026

🎺Hello Thursday! It's rehearsal day!🎺

It's the final Thursday rehearsal before our Young Soloists Concert this Saturday. We'll also be welcoming Oliver Toms to rehearse Haydn's Trumpet Concerto.

🎫 There's still time to get your tickets for the concert! Link in comments.

Address

St Botolph's Church
Colchester
CO27EE

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