Meetings are an integral part of our society. Since 1972 we have met on the last Wednesday of each month (with the exception of December).

Following demand in 1999 for more we now also meet on 2nd Wednesdays to focus on group playing. These are known as "Extra Ensemble Evenings".

From 2010 all meetings take place at our new venue, the St Boniface Centre, behind St Boniface Church (pictured right) on Hursley Road, Chandlers Ford.

Each meeting type is explained in more detail below. Non-members are welcome to come along to these to see if they like us. First meeting free!

Once or twice a year we arrange an all day workshop with a top teacher. These usually take place in the Guide Hut a few 100 yards further along the road.

Details of our workshops and concerts will be on our diary page.

(Click on the photograph for an aerial view) (or here for a map)

Extra Ensemble Evenings (or EEE or even E3)

These take place on the 2nd Wednesday of each month (see diary for details) starting at 7:45pm. (It really doesn't matter if you can't make it until later). If you can arrive earlier to get set up and in tune then so much the better!

The evening focuses on playing as group. Often, though not always, music is posted in advance on the members section to give a chance to practice. This is not vital as the ensemble director always has spare copies with him.

Our ensemble focuses very much on inclusion. No commitment is necessary. If you can only make it occasionally you will receive the same warm welcome.

The group playing wraps up at 10pm and after allowing any early leavers to depart we still have 20 -30 minutes for a little bit of solo/duo playing to round things off.

Regular Meetings

These take place on the last Wednesday of each month (see diary for details) starting at 7:45pm. Doors open from 7:30pm to allow for set up and tuning.

The first 45 minutes of each meeting is usually given to some light ensemble, often though not always, a piece from the EEE meeting (see left). This is useful not just for the experience of playing in a group but of sight reading at tempo.

After a break for coffee/tea/chat the rest of the meeting is generally devoted to voluntary playing by members in solos, duos etc. Occasionally we'll have a guest player, maybe from one of the top music colleges.

We'll take another short break at 10pm to allow anyone who needs to get away to do so and then continue on to about 10:30pm before retiring for refreshments!