Stand Sure Orchestra & Choir

A reflective round-up of SSOCs’ 2025 concerts and community moments, plus an exciting look ahead to Undercover Melodies and Electric Summer in 2026.

This year, as a newly dual UK/US citizen, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I’m thankful for – and right at the top of the list is Stand Sure Orchestra & Choirs and everyone who’s part of it. I’ve popped a Thanksgiving reflection on our blog if you’d like to take a look.

October is often a month of contrasts. Outside, the nights draw in and the air takes on that unmistakable autumn chill, but inside the rehearsal hall, things are full of energy, laughter, and the occasional squeaky clarinet reed. As we put the finishing touches to Halloween Spooktacular 2 , I’ve also been exercising…quite a lot! This month I completed my 60-mile challenge for MIND , a charity that’s incredibly close to my heart. MIND provides support, information, and a liste

No grade? No problem. Discover why our orchestra and choir might be just the place you didn’t know you needed.

Our final stop with Hector Berlioz takes a look at “Harold In Italy”.  It is a symphony with viola obbligato composed by Hector Berlioz....

Once upon a Boxing Day in the quaint town of Melodyville, the air was filled with echoes of laughter, and the streets were adorned with...

Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” has long been associated with Christmas.  IN this blog I delve into some reasons why. Traditional...

Hector Berlioz's "Symphonie fantastique" is a groundbreaking and highly innovative work in the Romantic orchestral repertoire. Composed...

In January 2024 Stand Sure Orchestra & Choirs will be starting in Devon.  This new, vibrant contemporary project will give musicians and...

Hector Berlioz (1803–1869) lived during the Romantic era, a period in Western cultural history that spanned the late 18th to mid-19th...

As we approach the festivities of December I thought we’d take a look at the history of Christmas Carols which dates back many centuries...

Today we look at the history of the viola, a musical instrument that belongs to the string family and is slightly larger than the violin...

Our vibrant musical endeavour is coming to West Devon! If you play any instrument or if you love to sing this could be the opportunity...

Our final composer of the month is Hector Berlioz. In this blog I’ll give a brief outline of his life and over the coming month will go...

In today’s blog I take a quick look at the general history of an orchestra. Ancient Beginnings: The concept of a group of musicians...

"Rodeo" is a ballet composed by our composer of the month, Aaron Copland, in 1942. The ballet consists of four sections and is known for...

The drum kit, also known as a drum set or simply drums, is a collection of drums, cymbals, and other percussion instruments that are set...

Part of my goal when I started my orchestra and choirs was to try and eliminate musical snobbery. Sadly in all the years I’ve been...

"Appalachian Spring" is one of Aaron Copland's most celebrated compositions, and it holds a special place in American classical music....

SSOCs began its life in Wiltshire where I fulfilled a near 30-year dream by starting his own orchestra and choir in 2021. After playing...