Five feel-good reasons you’ll want to be part of The People’s Orchestra
It’s a new season for The People’s Orchestra(TPO) and more reasons than ever to get involved. It’s a friendly haven where musicians trying out two-week free taster sessions end up staying for years.
Here’s a look at what to expect as new and seasoned members welcome in the Autumn 2026 term in the West Midlands based community orchestra, its Welsh counterpart Cerddorfa’r Bobl and jazz-based spin-off group, The People’s Big Band.
TPO and its family of bands are aimed at pro-amateur musicians of all ages, who have reached Grade 7 and above in any instrument.
1.Perform at extraordinary venues
Being part of TPO and its affiliated groups gives members the unique chance to perform at extraordinary venues and events nationwide. This new term is no different with grand outdoor and indoor venues on the cards.
The People’s Big Band is a smaller outfit that rehearses in Birmingham and for those who love to play jazz, blues and swing. It performs at unique venues and in coming months, The Big Band will perform at Birmingham’s historic Botanical Gardens on September 27 when they take to The Bandstand from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
Members of Cerddorfa’r Bobl – the new TPO in South Wales – are set to play inside glorious Swansea Minster, where Bonnie Tyler’s funeral took place in August. With a soundtrack from the movies, the Something Magical concert takes place on November 28 from 4pm to 6pm within this hallowed atmospheric venue.
While The People’s Orchestra will be putting on a Christmas mass concert to remember for 2026 in iconic Birmingham Symphony Hall, famous throughout the world for its first class acoustics. For these spectacular events it teams up with its sister organisation, The People’s Show Choir.
TPO Assistant Orchestra Manager Will Hampson, originally from North Yorkshire, who plays trombone and piano, said: “We are always looking for somewhere different to perform so The Botanical Gardens performance will be very special, but there’s a whole host of venues that make being part of TPO so different to other community orchestras.”
- Feel-good music to lift your spirits
Part of the appeal of TPO is the type of music it plays – contemporary, relevant and instantly recognizable pieces. It could be an epic movie soundtrack, chart-topping Christmas hit or fan favourite from a musical.
This is an orchestra that puts an emphasis on enjoyment and finding an escape for a few hours a week to feel the joy of music. Everything aims to be uplifting and have a wide appeal to all generations, so put aside your nerves as it’s a welcome family open to all.
Piano player Elliot Atkinson, 21, said: “I really like going to TPO as I enjoy the music they play. They cover pop sings, TV themes and hits from the musicals. My background is musical theatre, so I love that.”
This coming season through autumn to Christmas will see members getting to grips with festive favourites along with chart hits.
- Know you’re making a difference to the wider community
What makes TPO so special is that it is a national charity that helps tackle burning social issues from unemployment to loneliness and isolation. It means your membership fees aren’t just being pumped into the orchestra, they are also having a far-reaching effect on the community at large.
TPO’s community engagement even earned them The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2021 and that’s the highest award that can be bestowed upon any voluntary or charity organisation in the UK.
Projects run by TPO range from running a benefits advice line to pioneering a scheme to get help locals get active in the park while listening to music and working with Jobcentres through Kickstart, to equip young people and the long-term unemployed with skills to help them find work.
The charity has even launched a community fund scheme that raises money and donates to good causes in local communities.
- Rekindle your love of music while making new friends
There’s plenty of reasons why members sign up to The People’s Orchestra that goes much further than just playing an instrument.
Music is a key part of it and the satisfaction and mental health benefits it brings, but there’s also the camaraderie and feeling of belonging that musicians get from being part of a friendly organisation like TPO.
Rosie Price, a Baritone Saxophone player with TPO, recalls the excitement of getting involved with the new orchestra: “I was looking for something to play in that wasn’t too pressurised and had lovely people in it.
“The first thing we played was The Magnificent Seven theme tune and about halfway through Zorro, I remember thinking ‘I’ll be ok here’. That was 10 years ago.
“Back then, it was just one orchestra. It’s been ace to watch it all grow and see the BID Band and The People’s Show Choirs come into their own. Now I’m part of three TPO groups and my mum is in one of them.
“I get to play some legendary scores with some legendary people.”
- Be part of something new and exciting
The Welsh TPO, Cerddorfa’r Bobl, is brand new in Wales and offers musicians the chance to get involved in a community orchestra right from the beginning.
There’s nothing like the thrill of everyone coming together at the start when everyone is embarking on a new journey together. Getting to know each other and be in the foundations of a community effort as it burgeons into something bigger.
Annie Routley was a founder member of TPO when it started back in 2012 and has enjoyed seeing how it has blossomed with new members:
She added: “Being in TPO has greatly enriched my life. There’s very varied gigs and big concerts and always good camaraderie between all the orchestra members.”
Cerddorfa’r Bobl launches in September and is on the hunt for musicians around Carmarthen, Pembrokeshire and Swansea. Members will rehearse every Thursday night from 7.00pm in term time in Carmarthen.
If you’re interested in joining a community orchestra
Find out more about The People’s Orchestra at the TPO website here, including how to sign up for two free taster sessions before making a decision. You can also email hello@thepeoplesorchestra.com to request more information.
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