History

The orchestra was formed in 1957 by a group of local musicians who had been playing in a number of ad hoc chamber groups in Helensburgh since the end of the war. They decided to join together, managed to secure a rehearsal room, funds and some second hand music and started with approximately 25 members. A grant was received from the Further Education Scheme and some of the conditions of that grant are still in place today - the orchestra was open to all who could play with no auditions necessary, and the orchestra had to have either a professional leader or conductor.