English Schools Orchestra

04/08/2026

We’ve had some excellent Viola applications, thank you! Still room for 1 or 2 more, so this is your cue to click apply on our website! www.englishschoolsorchestra.org

🎻 Applications for ESO 2026 are now closed — UNLESS YOU’RE A VIOLA PLAYER

If you play viola to Grade 7-8 standard or above, are aged 13–18 and in full-time education, there is still a place for you this October half-term.

Bursaries are available. Cost need not be a barrier — please don't let it stop you applying.

👉 www.englishschoolsorchestra.org

15/07/2026

We’re hiring — Residential House Lead (x2)

English Schools’ Orchestra is looking for one Male and one Female Residential House Lead for our 2026 course at Woldingham School, Surrey (27 Oct – 1 Nov).

🏠 Accommodation and all meals provided alongside daily fee
🎶 You’ll be supporting young musicians aged 13–18 — no musical background required
🕗 Overnight pastoral role; concludes Sunday morning by 9:00am

You’ll need experience working with young people in a residential or pastoral setting, a current enhanced DBS, and up-to-date safeguarding training. First aid training can be arranged.

📩 For more information or to apply, send your CV and a brief description of your experience to [email protected]

Please tag anyone who’d be perfect for this!

JobOpportunity

07/07/2026

🎻 Applications for ESO 2026 are now closed — UNLESS YOU’RE A VIOLA PLAYER

If you play viola to Grade 7-8 standard or above, are aged 13–18 and in full-time education, there is still a place for you this October half-term.

Bursaries are available. Cost need not be a barrier — please don't let it stop you applying.

👉 www.englishschoolsorchestra.org

29/06/2026

⏰ Applications close TOMORROW — 30 June.
>
> If you've been thinking about it, now is the time. ESO 2026 is five days of serious orchestral music-making with players from across England, finishing with a professional concert at Milton Court Concert Hall, Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
>
> We still have spaces for percussion and viola. All other instruments — get on the reserve list, places do come up.
>
> Ages 13–18 | Grade 8+ standard | Bursaries available
>
> www.englishschoolsorchestra.org
>
>

The English Schools Orchestra and Choir exists to provide the opportunity for talented young orchestral musicians and singers, still in full time education, to meet and perform with other similarly talented young people from all over the country.

27/06/2026

3 days left to apply — and we have one percussion seat available.
ESO 2026 runs 28 October – 1 November at Woldingham School, Surrey, with a final concert at Milton Court Concert Hall, Guildhall School of Music & Drama.
Fee from £62 with HRTCT Surrey funding. Bursaries available UK-wide.
Applications close 30 June → englishschoolsorchestra.org

18/06/2026

🎻 Viola players — we have just 5 places left for ESO 2026, and applications close in less than two weeks.

If you’re aged 13–18, in full-time education, and playing at Grade 8 standard (no exam required), join us this October half-term for five days of intensive orchestral music at Woldingham School, Surrey — finishing on stage at Milton Court Concert Hall, Guildhall School of Music & Drama on 1 November.

The course fee is £620, and bursaries are available to help with costs. If you’re based in Surrey, you could receive up to 90% off through funding from HRTCT Surrey — bringing your fee to as little as £62. We don’t want cost to be a barrier for any talented young viola player.

Applications close 30 June 2026.

👉 www.englishschoolsorchestra.org

The English Schools Orchestra and Choir exists to provide the opportunity for talented young orchestral musicians and singers, still in full time education, to meet and perform with other similarly talented young people from all over the country.

08/06/2026

Meet last year’s ESO mentors 🎻 Music college and university students who play alongside our young musicians, support them through the week, and make the whole experience richer for everyone.

We’re recruiting paid mentors for 2026 on the following instruments:
🎻 Cello | Viola | Double Bass
🎵 Oboe | Bassoon | Tuba

ESO runs 28 October – 1 November at Woldingham School, Surrey, culminating in a concert at Milton Court, Guildhall. Interested? DM us or visit englishschoolsorchestra.org

03/06/2026

Only a few places left — and we're looking for cellos and violas. 🎻
Grade 8+ | Age 13–18 | Full-time education
Bursaries available.
Apply: www.englishschoolsorchestra.org

05/05/2026

🎻 Now recruiting: ESO Mentor Scheme 2026
Final-year and postgraduate orchestral musicians — develop your teaching and leadership skills alongside Britain's most talented young players.

Mentors work within sections during rehearsals at our residential course, supporting and inspiring 13–18 year-olds. The week culminates in a public concert at Milton Court, Barbican Centre.

📅 28 October – 1 November 2026
📍 Woldingham School, Surrey
🎼 Final concert: Milton Court, Barbican
💷 £90 per day plus meals
📝 Apply by 30 June 2026 (tutor recommendation required)

englishschoolsorchestra.org/courses/mentor.php

15/04/2026

ENGLISH SCHOOLS' ORCHESTRA Annual Course 2026
SPACES FILLING FAST — APPLY BEFORE 30 JUNE 2026

Is your young musician aged 13–18 at Grade 8 or above? This is one of the most exciting opportunities in the UK school music calendar — a residential orchestral course culminating in a concert at the prestigious Milton Court, London on 1st November.

WHY ESO?
Perform at Milton Court Concert Hall, Barbican — a world-class London venue
Work with professional conductors and coaches in intensive daily rehearsals
Immersive 5-day residential experience — music, community, friendships
Tackle ambitious, full-scale orchestral repertoire
A genuine CV highlight for music college and university applications
Meet like-minded young musicians from schools across England

THIS YEAR'S REPERTOIRE
🎹 Rachmaninov — Piano Concerto No. 2, op. 18
🎼 Scriabin — Symphony No. 2, op. 29
🎻 Wagenaar — Levenszomer, op. 21

⚠️ Please note: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and places are going quickly. Trumpet and clarinet sections are now full. Spaces remain in all other sections — but we'd encourage early application to avoid disappointment.

Apply online at
www.englishschoolsorchestra.org