Images was invited along to a rehearsal of the orchestra, as it prepares for its anniversary concert in June, and found the Community Centre at Henley full of people of all ages, thoroughly enjoying themselves making music. The orchestra rehearses in the daytime, and so perhaps the majority of members are retired people, but there are also many younger people who are able to play at this time of day. Conductor Barry Salmon felt that there is quite an interesting mix in the orchestra of people who are competent musicians who play with, or used to play with, ‘better’ orchestras; and beginners – several of whom may go on to play with other orchestras, but some who may not ever be good enough to do that, and are content to continue with the CLO. ‘It’s fun, and it’s for charity,’ he said, outlining its aims. He takes care to include both complex and simple music in concert programmes, and over the years, thousands of pounds have been raised for various charities.


Over coffee, members of the CLO were complimentary towards Barry’s approach, saying how encouraging he is, and how the musical standard increases all the time under his baton. It must be enjoyable too, because currently there are more than enough members to fill the rehearsal venue, and newcomers are not assured of a place unless there is a gap in a particular section.

Publicity man and trumpet-player David Dyer filled in the history for us:

The orchestra was formed in 1987. This followed an approach by Judith Newman, a founder member, to John Seabrook of Suffolk County Council’s Community Education Office, after she heard of a successful one-day orchestral course he had arranged in Bury St Edmunds for returners and late beginners. John obtained funding to provide a conductor, Clem Cocker, and a rehearsal venue. Shortly afterwards the orchestra became known as the Ipswich Community Light Orchestra. There were twelve founder-members and the early rehearsals were held on Tuesday mornings at the County Music School, Bolton Lane, before moving to Murrayside Community Centre.

A year later the Community Education Office had to withdraw its financial support. The members, whose numbers had grown, were keen to continue independently and a new conductor, Beryl Bird, who played keyboard in the orchestra, was appointed.

The orchestra continued to expand and the rehearsal venue was changed to the hall at Thurleston High School where the headmaster and staff were most hospitable. Concerts were performed in the school, sometimes with the involvement of pupils. At about this time, since many members came from outside the Borough boundary it was decided to drop ‘Ipswich’ from the orchestra’s name.

In 1991 Barry Salmon took over the baton, since when the standard of playing has progressed and the repertoire widened. In 1996 Thurleston School started a sixth form so the hall was no longer available. Alternative venues were tried before the orchestra settled into the new and comfortable Henley Community Centre in 1998.

The orchestra began giving concerts from its earliest days, which soon developed into one concert each term, raising money for many local and national charities. A number of spin-off groups have emerged from the membership - small ensembles, a wind group and the Community String Group, conducted by Andrew Fairley, which rehearses regularly and gives a number of charity concerts in its own right.

The 21st Anniversary Concert of the Community Light Orchestra takes place at St John’s Church, Cauldwell Hall Rd, Ipswich on 21st June at 7.30pm. Admission free.