High Schools Orchestra

Our High Schools Orchestra was formed in 1975 and is the largest high school aged ensemble in the music service.

The orchestra has toured the USA , Malta and most other countries in Western Europe. It performs in prestigious venues across Cardiff and has also performed at Music For Youth venues, such as the Royal Albert Hall.

The orchestra play a wide range of repertoire, from big Hollywood film and computer game scores through to concertos and symphonies. Each year, the orchestra chooses a pupil’s GCSE or A Level composition to perform in concert.

The orchestra currently has almost 100 members and rehearses every Saturday morning during term time at Whitchurch High School. Above all, the orchestra thrives on its popularity for being challenging but fun!

Please see the table below for High Schools Orchestra’s full timetable for 2024-25:

Rehearsal SessionsDayProposed DateTime  Rehearsal / Concert Venue Details
Rehearsal 1Saturday21st Sept10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 2Saturday28th Sept10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 3Saturday5th Oct10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 4Saturday12th Oct10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 5Saturday19th Oct10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 6Saturday26th Oct10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 7Saturday9th Nov10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 8Saturday16th Nov10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 9Saturday23rd Nov10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 10Saturday30th Nov10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 11Saturday11th Jan10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 12Saturday18th Jan10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 13Saturday25th Jan10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 14Saturday1st Feb10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 15Saturday8th Feb10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 16Saturday15th Feb10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 17Saturday22nd Feb10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 18Saturday8th March10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 19Saturday15th March10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 20Saturday22nd March10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 21Saturday29th March10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 22Saturday5th April10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 23Saturday3rd May10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 24Saturday10th May10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 25Saturday17th May10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 26Saturday24th May10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 27Saturday7th June10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 28Saturday14th June10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 29Saturday21st June10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 30Saturday28th June10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 31Saturday5th July10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Rehearsal 32Saturday12th July10.00am – 12.00 noonWhitchurch High School
Concert 1Tuesday3rd December 2024All Nations Christmas Showcase
Concert 2Saturday19th July 2025Llandaff Cathedral – 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert

Conductor Biography

Charles Maynard is the conductor of High Schools Orchestra. Originally from Manchester, he was awarded a scholarship in sixth form to study trombone at the Royal Northern College of Music, followed by a graduate course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in composition, then a postgraduate year at the Royal Academy of Music. Charles studied conducting with Malcolm Binney and Sir Simon Rattle as well as postgraduate composition with Dr Paul Patterson and Sir Michael Tippett.

Charles has worked for the music service since 1992 and is now Head of Brass and a creative lead tutor. He has been the conductor of High Schools Orchestra since 1994.