Wessex Strings, made up of keen amateur, semi-amateurs and professional musicians was formed in 1997 under the baton of pianist Martin Walker. In 2004 Tony Urbainczyk, then head of strings at Sherborne Girls’ school became its leader. When in 2006, Martin Walker’s other commitments precluded him continuing as conductor, Tony took over and conducted the orchestra in a myriad of concerts until June 2013. From then until 2018 the Venezuelan cellist and conductor Arturo Serna conducted the orchestra, introducing a number of South American works into its repertoire.

 

Adam Laughton took over from Arturo and conducted the orchestra until 2023. Adam has now passed the baton to John Jenkins for the 2023-24 season.

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The repertoire of the orchestra extends from Baroque to 20th century and no doubt will soon include 21st century works. The orchestra often invites other instrumentalists and singers to perform with them, either as soloist or as part of the orchestra, and regularly provides opportunities for talented young musicians from local schools to perform solo works with the orchestra

 

Wessex Strings gives three concerts a year. These have been performed in a variety of venues over the years but increasingly the majority are given in The Cheap Street church in Sherborne which is an intimate venue  with an excellent acoustic. Most of the concerts are given to support charities.