History of the Dorset Chamber Orchestra
Barry Gaskell, an amateur horn player, founded the Dorset Chamber Orchestra in 1986.
He had moved to Okeford Fitzpaine with his family in 1982. The Vicar of St Andrew’s, the very Rev Michael Pomeroy, asked Barry if he might be able to organise a concert in aid of the Salisbury Spire appeal.
Barry energetically drummed up support from his contacts that included some members of the Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Dorset County Orchestra and other local amateur musicians. Villagers were co-opted for publicity and stewarding duties. Nigel Carver agreed to conduct.
Thus an orchestra was formed and the first concert took place in St Andrew’s Church, Okeford Fitzpaine on 1st April 1986. It was a great success supported by local churchgoers, musicians’ families and a wider audience.
Encouraged particularly by members of the orchestra who were keen to repeat the event, Barry decided to stage another concert a year later. This time Nigel Carver was not available, Barry asked Robert Jacoby to conduct and so began Robert’s long association with the Dorset Chamber Orchestra. Again a success story!
Barry continued to manage the orchestra with Robert as Conductor. The introduction of rising young musical soloists was a particularly important initiative, introduced for their second concert. The first three soloists were Fiona Cross, clarinettist, Rebecca Gilliver, ‘cellist and Natalie Clein OBE (Young Musician of the Year 1994), internationally acclaimed ‘cellist.
The Orchestra quickly became established and recognised for its high standard and exciting programmes, performing three concerts a season in St Mary’s Dorchester on the Saturday with each programme being repeated on the Sunday in various Dorset churches. Any profit went to charity.
Robert Jacoby remained the Music Director until 2015, when the baton was handed over to Walter Brewster. The orchestra remains very much indebted to both Barry (our Vice Patron) and Robert (our Music Director Emeritus) for their vision and hard work, and the secure foundation they put in place which has enabled the orchestra to thrive to this day.
One of the orchestra’s main aims, championed by Robert Jacoby, has always been to support the careers of young professional soloists. We have been privileged to provide a concerto platform for more than 90 young musicians over the past 37 years.
Our current concert schedule involves four concerts a year at St Mary’s Church, Dorchester, each with a 3-week compressed rehearsal schedule. One of the highlights of our calendar is the “Music for Youth” concert, supported for many years by our Patron, Martin Clunes OBE.
A listing of our recent concerts may be found here
The Orchestra became a registered charity in January 1998, with the objectives of advancing, improving, developing and maintaining public education in, and appreciation of, music.
The orchestra will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026.
Here you will find news items and articles relating to the orchestra.