Dacorum Symphony Orchestra

The Dacorum Symphony Orchestra gave its first concert, under its earlier name the Hemel Hempstead Orchestra, on 8 November 1972, and has performed an annual series of symphony concerts ever since. It has performed with many famous soloists, and over the years there have been many overseas visits and exchanges. Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings in term-time in Berkhamsted. The orchestra gives at least four concerts a year, most notably in the Centenary Hall of the Berkhamsted Collegiate School. Its associated chamber orchestra, the Dacorum Sinfonietta, performs in the smaller halls and churches of the Dacorum area and has a regular series of its own at Berkhamsted Town Hall. Many of the players organise quartets and wind groups and this all contributes greatly to the orchestra's musical and social unity, and to its place in the musical life of the Dacorum area.