We are now bounding forward into our 51st season having celebrated 50 Years of the Orchestra in the December 2025 Concert.
The High Peak Orchestra was founded in 1975 as The Co-operative Orchestra. We have always been based in Whaley Bridge, although membership is drawn from a wider area, including Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
The Orchestra is noted for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. Normally, we
rehearse on Monday evenings at the Mechanics Institute in Whaley Bridge, but due to its current renovations, rehearsals are taking place at the Uniting Reformed Church in Whaley Bridge instead.
In 2016, we appointed David Chatwin, previous principle bassoon of the BBC Philharmonic. We now have 3 conductors: David, Patrick Gundry-White and Michael Dow.
We are always pleased to be given opportunities to perform for charitable organisations and glad to hear of new concert venues in the area.
Membership
The High Peak Orchestra is always keen to hear from instrumentalists who would like to play with them.
We have immediate vacancies for some string players and would also like to hear from players of other instruments too as vacancies may occur at any time. Please visit the contact page for enquiries.
Conductors
Please see the dedicated conductors page for further information on each of our four conductors.