50 years of music

Lambeth Orchestra was founded in 1972 and flourished under the baton of Christopher Fifield from 1982 to 2022. On his retirement, Peter Selwyn was appointed Principal Conductor and Michael Cobb was appointed Principal Guest Conductor.

Lambeth Orchestra is one of London's foremost amateur orchestras, performing up to six concerts a year with over 70 players.

The orchestra attracts and retains talented musicians, many of whom are music graduates. It is unusual in often having over-subscribed string sections, frequently exceeding 6 desks per section, including 4 regular double bass players. There are competitive try-outs for wind and brass seats on the rare occasions that they become vacant.

Repertoire has ranged from the popular to the unusual, from established classics to world premieres of commissioned pieces. A careful balance is sought over the year to ensure that both audience attendance and player engagement remains high.

The orchestra is dedicated to supporting emerging new talent, as well as enjoying many opportunities to play with well-established soloists, such as Tasmin Little, Joanna MacGregor, Jamie Walton and Piers Lane.