About Us

Helensburgh Orchestral Society is an established amateur orchestra which plays a range of classical music from early to modern music under the baton of Robert Baxter. Membership is open to anyone who plays at Grade V level or above - there is a waiting list for some sections of the orchestra.

The orchestra meet once a week at the Victoria Halls in Helensburgh from August to Easter. Funding is from members' subscriptions, donations and grants from Making Music and various charitable trusts. Gift Aid is increasingly a major part of funding.

Concerts are performed twice a year (December and March) in the Victoria Halls, Helensburgh and occasionally elsewhere. In 2001 the orchestra played in Helensburgh's twin town of Thouars in France and, in June 2009, in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. In June 2010 the HOS were delighted to be invited to play in Dunoon.

We encourage young and/or local soloists to perform concertos with us; including past and present members of the orchestra and students at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, and also perform with professional soloists. More information about the orchestra's past repertoire and soloists can be found on the section's sub menu.

The annual Appin weekend, which takes place at the end of September each year, is a spin off orchestra event for all ages, organised and attended by a number of members, their families and friends. For more information, please contact the orchestra via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .