"The Fun Orchestra" Blog

Stay on top of the latest news, events, and announcements from the North Downs Community Orchestra.

Recent Updates & Activities

Jul 7

Farewell Rehearsal with Sara Young

On Wednesday 3 July 2024, NDCO held a farewell rehearsal with our outgoing Music Director, Sara Young, at St John's Church in Hurst...

Jun 27

‘For One Night Only’ – Sara Young’s final performance with NDCO is a sell-out success

by Jolene Ebrey The North Downs Community Orchestra’s summer concert was a resounding triumph with all 530 seats sold for the remarkable...

‘For One Night Only’ – Sara Young’s final performance with NDCO is a sell-out success

Mar 21

Soiree for the Spire

A superb evening of music making at St Andrew’s church ( March 17th 2024 ) St Andrew’s seems like a tardis, looks small on the outside...

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Past Updates

The history of our orchestra, through our past blogposts

Nov 21, 2018

From Mozart to The Sound of Music

NDCO will be staging their 2018 Winter Concert featuring repertoire from Mozart, the Barber of Seville, The Sound of Music, and more.

Jul 28, 2018

Percussion Playtime

NDCO held a 'junk percussion' workshop for potential percussionists, as part of the Percussion Project.

Jun 23, 2018

Caterham Festival Concert on Fathers' Day

Many thanks to Caterham Festival for inviting North Downs Community Orchestra to take part again!

May 23, 2018

North Downs Ensemble plays with more young percussionists than ever before!

9 members of the NDCO Ensemble had the pleasure of joining two classes at Godstone Village School.

Apr 3, 2018

2nd Birthday concert joined by a sell-out crowd to celebrate!

Which was the favourite -- Pavane or Poppins? The jury is still out.

Jan 26, 2018

Our North Downs Ensemble visits young Caterham musicians

We loved our visit to these young Caterham musicians!

Dec 15, 2017

This stage isn't big enough!

Christmas rehearsal and end of term social.

Nov 30, 2017

How many Tunes would you expect for a Tenner?

The answer is a lot - if you were attending the St Nicholas's Church, Godstone, Tunes for a Tenner afternoon.

Nov 22, 2017

Trainee conductors try out their skills...and instrumentalists produced sounds of music

We managed to make our first ever way through the complete piece using a selection of volunteer trainee conductors from our midst.

Oct 25, 2017

Thank you, Godstone Village School! We have a spacious new rehearsal venue.

North Downs Community Orchestra back from summer break in a new venue at Godstone School.

Aug 31, 2017

Super Sunshine for an August Bank Holiday Monday!

Our North Downs Community Orchestra certainly had fun joining in with the annual community event, Godstone Fete and Donkey Derby!

Aug 19, 2017

A good 'tune-up' for a fine machine always improves performance!

NDCO performs at the Douglas Brunton Day Centre AGM

Jul 24, 2017

Different town, different event, different festival!

A workshop afternoon, rehearsing first and then performing in an informal concert, with our friends from various orchestras in Horsham

Jul 11, 2017

Sizzling Summer Concert for Caterham Festival and Make Music Day UK!

Our contribution to the Caterham Festival and the Make Music Day UK, on the warmest June day in the UK since the summer of 1976!

Jul 11, 2017

Make Music Day UK - Caterham Church Walk Shopping Centre

NDCO at Make Music Day UK, in Caterham's Church Walk Shopping Centre.

Jun 18, 2017

Alfresco fun rehearsal with random 'toy' instruments!

The strings have been working on our first ever symphony at string sectionals -- alfresco!

Jun 3, 2017

We love Summer!

We played outside rather than inside our rehearsal venue of Endeavour, the unusual and charming Tudor-like headquarters of Godstone Scouts.

Mar 22, 2017

Stirring First Birthday Concert finishes in the Mirrored Bawtree Hall with goosebumps!

The concert marked the first birthday of this inclusive amateur orchestra.

Mar 14, 2017

40 strings today plus 1 harp

NDCO strings sectional plus our harp player

Jan 31, 2017

No strings today! NDCO's first wind sectional

11 brass and woodwind players came together for our first wind sectional.

For more information about NDCO or to join us at our next rehearsal, please send us a message via our contact form.