Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

Close-up of a woman playing a bassoon during an orchestra performance, with sheet music and fellow musicians visible in the background.

Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

Registered Charity No: 1028429

Our Purpose

We provide performance opportunities for talented musicians living or working in and around the district of Uttlesford, and to promote the appreciation of music in the wider community through the presentation of public concerts and community based projects.

The society oversees the running of both the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra (SWSO; previously known as Uttlesforde Orchestra) and the Saffron Walden Children’s Orchestra (SWCO).

Please do read our Data Protection Policy, and our Child Protection Policy.

President - Jumbo Barker

Committee

  • Chair – Helen Glenister

  • Vice-Chair – Chris Haskins

  • Treasurer – Jeremy Lewin

  • Secretary – Philippa Hopewell

  • Rob Furber

  • Steve Conner

  • Clare Charter

  • Tracey Brown

  • David Fletcher

  • Sarah James

  • Richard Hull

Man in black suit holding conductor's baton in front of a dark background.

Our Conductor - Richard Hull

After gaining a Degree in Music from Dartington College of Arts in 1991, Richard embarked on a trumpet teaching career, starting at his old school, Bedford Modern School. He began to work full time for Bedfordshire Music Service in 1995. He taught for various music services, and was involved in many different aspects of brass tuition and education for over 30 years, having also spent a year as Visiting Professor of Trumpet at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

Richard has played for and conducted a number of orchestras and bands throughout the East of England and is active as a pianist and accompanist. He has also performed as a soloist on the trumpet and piano, including performances of concertos by Grieg, Gregson, Arnold, Telemann and many others.

Richard was appointed Musical Director of the Saffron Walden Symphony (formerly Uttlesforde) Orchestra in 2008. Since then he has led the development of the orchestra, taking on more challenging repertoire and introducing more contemporary works into programmes, including symphonies by Martinu, Tubin and Glass. He has also commissioned works by young composers and provided opportunities for young soloists including Yume Fujise, Ellie Fagg, Stephen Smithers and George Harliono.

In February 2025, Richard was asked to conduct a City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra concert at short notice following the sudden death of their conductor of 17 years, Peter Bassano. He was delighted to be offered the position on a full-time basis in the following July, and is also looking forward to being guest conductor for a Lavenham Sinfonia concert in 2027.

A woman with short, curly gray hair smiling while holding a violin against a black background.

Our Leader - Sarah James

Sarah began playing the violin at the comparatively late age of ten.

She took lessons from teachers in the Bedfordshire County Music Service. The Service offered unparalleled opportunities for young people to experience orchestral playing, thus establishing her love of this form of music making; she joined her first adult orchestra at the age of fourteen.

As an adult Sarah had lessons with Simon Cartledge, and subsequently played in quartets with him. She currently plays on a copy of the 1708 Regent Stradivarius, made by Robin Aitchison of Ely in 2001.