The Southend Wind Orchestra
Southend Wind Orchestra was formed in April 2002 by its Music Director, David Clark.
A minimum entry of grade 6 standard for rank and file players, with at least grade 8 for principals was established. Since then, many talented young players have been encouraged to join the band along with more experienced musicians, boosting membership to 50. The players come from a broad range of backgrounds, ranging from full-time students, to peripatetic music teachers, people working full-time in other professions and those close to or even in retirement.
Members of the band travel from areas in South Essex; Great Wakering, Shoeburyness, Thorpe Bay, Southend, Westcliff, Leigh, Hockley, Rayleigh, Benfleet, Canvey Island, Chelmsford, Billericay and Basildon to rehearse at Chalkwell Park Methodist Church on Wednesday evenings.