Sinfonia is a woodwind, brass and percussion auditioning full symphony orchestra that rehearses in the Reid Concert Hall in Bristo Square every Saturday morning from 10.30 during the University of Edinburgh’s term-time.

Like the other ensembles of EUMS, Sinfonia puts on a concert at the end of each semester in various venues including the Reid Concert Hall, Greyfriars Kirk and St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral. Despite the string section being non-auditioning the repertoire performed is very challenging but very rewarding for the members. In recent years the ensemble has performed works such as The Carmen Suite by Bizet, Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8.

Sinfonia also collaborates with the Chorus once every two years to perform large choral works. This year Bruckner’s Te Deum and Walton’s Coronation Te Deum were performed with some stunning solos from within the music society. In previous years repertoire has included The World of the Spirit by Britten and Puccini’s Messa de Gloria.

The orchestra regularly performs with soloists from within the society giving young, aspiring musicians the opportunity to perform a piece with the backing of a full symphony orchestra.

Sinfonia rehearsing in St. Mary's Cathedral.

Sinfonia is an open and friendly orchestra with a very active social scene including lunch in the Teviot House after every rehearsal. Auditions for places in the woodwind, brass and percussion occur during the University’s Freshers’ Week each year. For strings there are no auditions but we would suggest that players are at least of Grade 5 standard in order to cope with the sometimes challenging repertoire.

For further details please do not hesitate to contact our Sinfonia Manager directly at sinfonia@eums.org.uk.