Imperial College Symphony Orchestra is the College's flagship orchestra, performing to the very highest standard. ICSO is rightly regarded as one of the best university orchestras in the UK, becoming "University Orchestra of the Year" in 2008 and being described by a member of the panel, (RPO Principal Bassoon Daniel Jamieson), as "sounding like a professional orchestra". The orchestra was formed in 1948 our principal conductor is Oliver Gooch. ICSO boasts around eighty players and regularly performs both on and off campus, with its iconic Spring concert held annually at Cadogan Hall. As well as giving performances with soloists who are students at Imperial College London, ICSO often has the opportunity to work with professionals, including Charles Owen, Raphael Wallfisch, Andrew Zolinsky, Michael Thompson, and Lara Melda. There is also a lively social scene, including regular post-concert and rehearsal socials and dinners. ICSO also collaborates with other music societies. Recently, we performed Verdi's Requiem with IC Choir in March 2023. ICSO also has biennial overseas tours; highlights of recent tours include the opportunity to participate in the Johannesburg International Mozart Festival and perform in the world-famous Sibelius Hall in aid of UNICEF on our tour to Helsinki in September 2014, with our most recent tour being to Prague in the Summer of 2022. ICSO is an exciting, motivating and social orchestra, which prides itself in the calibre of its playing and its ability to perform great repertoire like a professional orchestra. We hope you decide to join the ICSO family!
Join Orchestra - Symphony
Only available to members of Imperial College Union.
