The Scottish Borders Community Orchestra [SBCO] was formed in 1999, first as a charitable trust and subsequently as a charitable company limited by guarantee. It was launched with a full symphony concert in Galashiels in March 2001, with its Patron, Steven Isserlis as guest soloist.  Since then it has gone from strength to strength, widening its horizons but always holding on to its original ethos - to enable players of all ages and levels of experience to enjoy learning and playing music together and, as the result, to enable people in all walks of life in the Scottish Borders to listen to music of a high standard played in many different settings.

Much more than “an Orchestra”:

In its first three years, the SBCO fulfilled its commitment to the Scottish Arts Council of giving two full orchestral concerts and 25 “other” concerts each year. It was those 25 “other” performances which helped to define the wide spectrum of activity which developed in subsequent years. Chamber groups of varying sizes took music to remote communities, to the frail and elderly in care homes and hospitals, to schools and to some of the Borders historic buildings. To enable that to happen, the amateur players had to have the opportunity to develop their skills and confidence – and the concept of today’s SBCO instrumental groups was born. Each of these was led by an experienced professional musician and this work remains at the core of the SBCO’s work 10 years on.