For 40 years, the Meadows Chamber Orchestra, under its principal conductor and musical adviser Peter Evans, has performed regularly and with critical acclaim to audiences in Edinburgh and beyond. A tradition of imaginative programming and exciting performances has given the Orchestra a unique place in Scottish musical life. In recognition of its promotion of contemporary music, the Orchestra has received several Awards for Enterprise from the Performing Rights Society and generous financial support from the PRS Foundation. In recent years the Meadows has twice broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

The Orchestra normally promotes three or four concerts a year in Edinburgh - typically in late October, early December, March and May.

Although the orchestra's main focus of activity is on the concerts of its own Edinburgh series, it occasionally makes itself available to play for concerts promoted by other organisations, typically music societies based within a reasonable travelling distance from Edinburgh. Press the contact us button to see whom to ask about this.

Peter Evans, the Orchestra's Musical Advisor conducts the majority of concerts in the season. In at least one other concert in the season the Orchestra is able to widen its musical and technical experience by working with guest conductors such as Garry Walker, William Conway, and David Watkin, amongst others.

Most soloists are either established local musicians or gifted young players from Scotland and further afield who are in the early stages of establishing a national or international reputation. The Orchestra has also had the opportunity to work with soloists of the calibre of Steven Isserlis, Stephen Kovacevic, Anthony Marwood, Moray Welsh and Duncan McTier.

All players perform on an amateur basis although some have extensive professional performing experience.

Programmes offer classical favourites and less familiar music, frequently including contemporary works by composers resident in Scotland - Craig Armstrong, Sally Beamish, Lyell Creswell, Dick Lee, Edward McGuire and James MacMillan among others - several written specifically for the Meadows. The symphonic repertoire has embraced Brahms, Dvorak, Schumann, Sibelius and even Tchaikovsky, as well as Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven and Mendelssohn.

The Orchestra is formally constituted as a Scottish Charity. It is managed by a committee, elected at the Annual General Meeting and with powers to co-opt. An equal opportunities policy has been adopted.

Registered Charity No SC023005