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"The Fun Orchestra" Blog
Stay on top of the latest news, events, and announcements from the North Downs Community Orchestra.
Recent Updates & Activities
A Decade of Harmony: Celebrating 10 Years of the NDCO
The air at our recent rehearsal was filled with more than just music—it was filled with the sweet scent of celebration! To mark the 10th anniversary of the North Downs Community Orchestra, we took a well-deserved break from the sheet music to share some birthday cake and reflect on an incredible decade. We were especially honored to be joined by our patron, Rainer Hersch , who made a special trip to celebrate with us. Rainer’s history with the NDCO goes back to the very begi
Mar 23
A Triumph of Music: North Downs Community Orchestra’s Memory, Mystery, and Magic Concert
North Downs Community Orchestra (NDCO) performed its annual winter concert, “Memory, Mystery, and Magic,” on Sunday, 2nd November 2025. The 60-strong ensemble, under Musical Director Anna Maria Tabor, played at the new venue, Humphreys Hall at Caterham School, drawing an enthusiastic, audience of over 300 guests, and proving the hilly approach to the school did nothing to dampen community spirit. The program was expertly curated around the three core themes. The concert opene
Jan 17
Hollywood comes to Bawtree Hall: NDCO At the Movies
BAWTREE HALL, June 15, 2025 – the magic of Hollywood came alive at Bawtree Hall as the North Downs Community Orchestra (NDCO) presented...
Jul 25, 2025
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Past Updates
The history of our orchestra, through our past blogposts
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We love Summer!
We played outside rather than inside our rehearsal venue of Endeavour, the unusual and charming Tudor-like headquarters of Godstone Scouts.
Jun 3, 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 22, 2017
40 strings today plus 1 harp
NDCO strings sectional plus our harp player
Mar 14, 2017
No strings today! NDCO's first wind sectional
11 brass and woodwind players came together for our first wind sectional.
Jan 31, 2017
Learning to stir up musical magic
On 14th January Peter Fender lead us in an introduction to conducting workshop.
Jan 24, 2017
The North Downs Community Orchestra - Stunning Show!
On the 4th December, North Downs Community Orchestra performed an amazing winter concert!
Jan 18, 2017
Make yours a wonderful musical Christmas
Kick off your Christmas Season with The North Downs Community Orchestra.
Nov 5, 2016
Thanks to Waitrose a free concert for all. Sir Winston Churchill would have approved.
Our first public concert, 100% free to the public thanks to the extremely generous support and confidence Waitrose placed in the Orchestra.
Oct 10, 2016
Free Autumn concert, Edenbridge, 9 October 2016
Thanks to the generous support from our friends at Waitrose, this concert is free.
Oct 2, 2016
The Marathon Orchestra
Participating in the St John's 24 hour music marathon raising money to help more people to play music!
Sep 18, 2016
North Downs Community Orchestra records performance for Last Night of the Proms
North Downs Community Orchestra and North Downs Band will be part of the BBC’s famous Last Night of the Proms celebrations.
Sep 8, 2016
Marathon Musicians
Book a date in your diary for 17 September 2016.
Aug 4, 2016
Get playing & enjoy life more
Backed by the ABRSM, Making Music, Music for all and the BBC, the Get Playing Initiative is a great way to enjoy this summer.
Jul 29, 2016
Summer Lovin'
An impromptu outdoor public rehearsal.
Jul 21, 2016
1 + 1 + 1 = 1
An honour and a joy for members of the NDCO to join our wonderful friends in Horsham for an afternoon Orchestral Workshop.
Jul 11, 2016
Music for All
Meeting Paul McManus CEO of the Music Industry Association who also runs the charity "Music for All".
Jun 15, 2016
Inaugural concert of the North Downs Community Orchestra
The inaugural performance of the Orchestra will be on June 12th at the ‘Picnic on The Green for the Queen’ event.
May 16, 2016
Croydon Orchestral Ensemble and North Downs Community Orchestra forge closer links
Closer ties with COE giving members of both orchestras the opportunity to play in either orchestra plus the possibility of joint concerts.
May 6, 2016
What has got 16 legs, makes music, talks and laughs at lunchtime on St Georges Day ?
Tune in and listen to members of the North Downs Community Orchestra being interviewed live on Meridian 107FM.
Apr 9, 2016
Launch of the North Downs Community Orchestra attracts extensive press coverage
Press coverage with front page articles on several regional newspapers and the orchestra invited to speak on local radio shows.
Mar 31, 2016
For more information about NDCO or to join us at our next rehearsal, please send us a message via our contact form.
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