A sideways view of oboists and flautists playing in rehearsal, full of focus.
Welcome to the

Rehearsal Orchestra

Learn more about us
A viola player in rehearsal, playing pizzicato with a smile that reaches her eyes.
Expand your repertoire with the

Rehearsal Orchestra

Our Courses
A student trombonist playing with feeling, their eyes closed.
Build your confidence with the

Rehearsal Orchestra

Learn more about us
A bassoonist during a thoughtful pause in playing.
Develop your skills with the

Rehearsal Orchestra

Our courses

Develop your skills on a Rehearsal Orchestra course

The main purpose of all our activities is, as our name implies, the process of rehearsal. Whether you’re a current or recent student, a retired professional or a fine amateur player from any walk of life, we’re here to help you build your orchestral skills and expand your repertoire at high level. We do not give concerts, but at the end of each course there is an open rehearsal, to which a non-paying audience is welcome.

Rehearsal Orchestra has no fixed membership or time commitment: you simply apply for the courses that interest you. Under Levon Parikian’s artistic directorship, we like to think we offer exciting repertoire for everyone across a season, including well-loved favourites and music you may not yet know you love!

At Rehearsal Orchestra you’ll benefit from a team of high-quality and experienced professional musicians. Conductors and section leaders are at the heart of everything we do, and their enthusiasm and expertise make every Rehearsal Orchestra course an inspiring experience.

The emphasis on the rehearsal process gives you the freedom to grow and learn at your own pace, whether as preparation for the profession or an alternative to your regular amateur playing.

Full Course list

"I recommend the RO to anyone looking to learn orchestral parts in a professional-style environment. It's so well run it feels like sitting in a professional orchestra but the conductors always smile!"

Jo Harris
Freelance trumpet player

"Wow, what an experience. Absolutely exhausting but thoroughly exhilarating."

Oboe

"I loved my weekend with you all. There is a tremendous spirit and enjoyment about everything that enables wonders to be achieved. Long may you thrive!"

Sir Mark Elder

"If anything from this list ever comes up in my career, I will just be so much more confident going into that first rehearsal."

Postgraduate clarinet
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

"It ranks up in the top 10 orchestral experiences for me."

Double bass

"The Rehearsal Orchestra does invaluable work on the quiet and with the minimum of fuss."

Sir Simon Rattle
RO Patron

"It was wonderful to be part of such a large, capable and responsive group of musicians! I'm rarely able to play with a group at such a high level and I very much enjoyed the level of challenge."

Violin

"I really appreciate how organised it was and that communication was always clear."

Violin
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

"I've recommended the Edinburgh course to quite a lot of my friends as it's quite rare to come across opportunities to play just that much rep and I really loved it."

Clarinet
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

"The atmosphere is both welcoming and focussed, with each musician truly putting their best efforts into the project."

Violin
Play ON bursary scheme
View all Testimonials
Full Course list
Conductor John Wilson at rehearsal, holding his baton raised in both hands, ready to conduct, with a focused and excited expression. He is raring to go with the music.
One-Day Course

Holst: The Planets conducting workshop

24 January 2027
London
  • Gustav Holst

    The Planets

John Wilson joins us for the first time to lead a workshop with senior conducting students on Holst’s The Planets suite, kicking off our 70th anniversary year.
Heavily inspired by Holst’s fascination with astrology and the psychological characteristics of the zodiac (rather than the scientific properties of astronomy), each movement is named after a planet of the solar system (excluding Earth and Pluto) and captures a distinct mood or character, with colourful orchestration and memorable melodies.

More details
A viola player during a break in play at rehearsal, laughing. They are resting their instrument on their knee, holding it by the neck close to the body of the instrument.
Two-Day Course

Boulanger: D’un matin de printemps & Stravinsky: Rite of Spring

20 February 2027 - 21 February 2027
London
  • Lili Boulanger

    D’un matin de printemps

  • Igor Stravinsky

    Rite of Spring

Join us to work on Stravinsky’s revolutionary ballet score that shattered traditional rules of tonality and rhythm, marking the dawn of musical modernism, plus Boulanger’s miniature evoking the bright and festive spirit of a spring morning.
The nearest station to the Grey Coat Hospital School’s Sports Hall is Pimlico (Victoria Line), or Victoria (Victoria Line, District & Circle Lines, National Rail). There is free parking in the surrounding streets on Saturdays after 1.30 pm and all day on Sundays.

More details
A violin student, pictured in profile, playing in rehearsal, surrounded by other violinists.
One-Day Course

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture & Tippett: Ritual Dances from The Midsummer Marriage

21 March 2027
London
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture

    Mendelssohn

  • Ritual Dances from The Midsummer Marriage

    Tippett

Celebrate midsummer early with Mendelssohn’s overture, written in 1826 at the tender age of 17, inspired by family readings of the Shakespeare play, and Tippett’s magical Ritual Dances.
Applications are invited for all sections of the orchestra from players at Grade 8-plus, or equivalent.

More details
A student percussionist playing bass drum, triangle and tambourine concurrently, with an intent gaze on the part, with cymbals and sleigh bells also in front of them.
One-Day Course

Shostakovich: Symphony No 11

25 April 2027
Manchester
  • Shostakovich

    Symphony No 11

Join us for this massive, cinematic orchestral work composed in 1957 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1917 revolution and the tragic events of the 1905 Russian Revolution.
Applications are invited for all sections of the orchestra from players at Grade 8-plus, or equivalent.

More details
Two student trumpet players in rehearsal, with low brass instuments in the background. Lights make the brass of the instruments shine.
One-Day Course

Shostakovich: Symphony No 4

23 May 2027
London
  • Symphony No 4

    Shostakovich

Join us for a day spent exploring this monumental, highly expressive, and turbulent work, composed during a time of intense personal and artistic crisis for Shostakovich, shortly after the infamous January 1936 Pravda editorial attack condemning his opera Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District.
Applications are invited for all sections of the orchestra from players at Grade 8-plus, or equivalent.

More details
Two horn players, with their instruments in their lap during a break in play, listening to conductor comments with delighted amusement.

Edinburgh Week

Our August visit to Edinburgh coincides with the first week of the International Festival and Fringe. Running from Saturday to Friday, this is a stimulating week of concentrated music making which has taken place annually since the orchestra’s foundation in 1957. A great way to work through a lot of wonderful repertoire, with two great conductors, rehearsing during the day, the evenings left free for you to explore the city at Festival time. This year’s Edinburgh week took place from 8 to 15 August. We look forward to returning next summer. Details to be announced in early 2027.

Learn more
A view of the orchestra in rehearsal in a large hall, taken from a high angle. A grand piano with the lid raised and a celesta are in the foreground. Woodwind, brass and percussion sections are on risers behind the strings.

Who are we?

For nearly 70 years, the Rehearsal Orchestra has run orchestral courses for future professionals and talented amateurs, helping thousands of musicians excel in their playing. Our courses simulate professional rehearsal conditions, replicating the speed and focus required for preparing a piece on limited rehearsal time.

Learn More
Golden RO Rehearsal Orchestra logo

Latest News

13 Oct 2026
Save the dates

Coming soon: 2027 weekend courses

Read More View all News