Come and listen to top quality music and world class soloists with Maidstone Symphony Orchestra, now in its 116th season
Join us for unforgettable performances with Maidstone Symphony Orchestra – a cornerstone of musical excellence in Kent.
Our next concert is at 7.30pm on Saturday 24 October 2026
Mote Hall, Maidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park, Maidstone ME15 7RN
Come early to catch our Free pre-concert talk from 6.40 – 7.10 pm
Music Director Brian Wright introduces the season
First, an announcement: After 37 seasons, I’ve decided that this upcoming 2026-27 season will be my last as MSO’s Music Director and Conductor. I’ve had a wonderful time, and I must say that back in 1990, beginning to conduct MSO saved my musical life, which had got into a rut, too much focussed on choral music. However, as I reach 80 later in 2026, I find it all much more physically demanding, together with the hassle of driving on mostly rural roads for up to 3 hours to attend each rehearsal and concert. I believe I’ll leave MSO in rude health, wish the players, administrators and my successor all the best, and look forward enormously to my last season.
It’s an exciting one, with five splendid young international soloists playing popular concertos. We’ve a French violinist, Irène Duval, with Bruch, a French oboist, Armand Djikoloum, with Richard Strauss, a Lithuanian pianist, Kaspras Mikužis, with Tchaikovsky, a Scottish-Indian guitarist, Samrat Majumder, with Rodrigo, and our own star violinist, Callum Smart, appropriately with Elgar. MSO plays brilliant symphonies by Dvořák, Rachmaninov and Mahler, and in March we’ve Beethoven’s “Eroica” to commemorate – almost to the day – the 200th anniversary of his death. Our “Family Concert” in November – unusually on a Sunday afternoon – features popular suites by Bizet, Grieg and Tchaikovsky. And there are great overtures and incidental pieces by Borodin, Glinka, Wagner, Mozart and Smetana.
As ever, enjoy it all and buy lots of tickets..!
Pre-concert talks
Come early to catch our free pre-concert talk from 6.40 - 7.10 pm
Venue
All our concerts are held in Mote Hall, Maidstone Leisure Centre, Mote Park, Maidstone ME15 7RN.
Upcoming Concerts
Saturday 24 October 2026
Irène Duval - Violin
Borodin – Overture, Prince Igor
Glinka – Kamarinskaya
Bruch – Violin Concerto No.1
Dvořák – Symphony No.9 “From the New World”
Sunday 29 November 2026
Samrat Majumder - Guitar
A Family Concert!
Bizet – Carmen Suite No.1
Rodrigo – Concierto de Aranjuez
(Guitar Concerto)
Grieg – Peer Gynt Suite No.1
Tchaikovsky – Nutcracker Suite No.1
Saturday 30 January 2027
Armand Dijkoloum - Oboe
Wagner – Prelude, Act 3, Lohengrin
Richard Strauss – Oboe Concerto
Rachmaninov – Symphony No.2
Saturday 20 March 2027
Kasparas Mikužis - Piano
Wagner – Prelude, Act 3, Lohengrin
Richard Strauss – Oboe Concerto
Rachmaninov – Symphony No.2
Saturday 15 May 2027
Callum Smart - Violin
Smetana – Overture, The Bartered Bride
Elgar – Violin Concerto
Mahler – Symphony No.1 “Titan”
About Us
Under the direction of acclaimed conductor Brian Wright, Maidstone Symphony Orchestra (MSO), founded in 1910 as Maidstone Orchestral Society, is widely regarded as one of the UK’s finest community orchestras.
Combining local professionals, ex-professionals, music teachers, and skilled amateur players, MSO produces concerts of professional standard through the dedication of its members, many of whom travel from across Kent and beyond for weekly Thursday rehearsals.
Conductor
Brian Wright has been Music Director and Conductor of Maidstone Symphony Orchestra since 1990. Brian studied as a Gulbenkian scholar in London and Munich. He won major prizes in conducting competitions at La Scala, Milan and with the London Symphony Orchestra. He was Assistant Conductor to the LSO and then Associate Conductor to the BBC, winning acclaim for performances at the Proms. Brian has conducted all the UK orchestras, toured in Europe with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and in Europe and China with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
He has been a guest conductor in almost 20 countries.
For further information click here to see Brian’s website
Leader
Andrew (Andy) Laing started learning the violin when he was 5, and by the age of 16 was appointed leader of the National String Orchestra of Scotland. He gained a place at the Royal Academy of Music, winning numerous prizes and scholarships. Andy was appointed sub-leader of the BBC Radio Orchestra, then Leader of the London City Ballet Orchestra. In the ’90s, he spent much time on stage at the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he met his wife, Rachel, also a professional violinist. Andy is a keen amateur astronomer, and if music had not been his first love, it is entirely possible that a career involving the stars may have followed!
Friends of MOS
The Friends of Maidstone Orchestral Society have supported the orchestra for more than 35 years. To find out how you can become a Friend or make a donation to support the orchestra, click here
Join Us
Join us as a player and share your passion for music in a vibrant, welcoming orchestra committed to performing at the highest standard.
Our Concerts
Our concerts celebrate the dedication of our talented players and the enthusiasm of our audience—both are essential to keeping live music thriving in our community. Come and watch us!
Rehearsals
Rehearsals take place every Thursday evening during school term times from 7.30pm – 10pm, and are held at Invicta Grammar School, Huntsman Lane, Maidstone ME14 5DS unless otherwise notified.
Sunday rehearsals are held the weekend before concert dates from 2.30pm – 6.30pm.
Players – click here to view rehearsal dates and venues
