The Orchestra
Picture by Chris Newton
The orchestra was founded in 1982 by Don Goodsell and Peter Aviss, when it had 17
players. Don no longer plays with the orchestra but continues to be very active,
particularly in the field of publicity, as our President. Peter Aviss is the Musical Director
and Conductor.
The Village of Oare, overlooking the marshes just outside Faversham, is Don's home.
The orchestra continues to rehearse in Oare before each concert, but has outgrown the
church in which the first concerts were given (the orchestra is about 25 strong for most
concerts). For a long time most concerts were given in the Alexander Centre in
Faversham, until changes to the hall made it unsuitable for the orchestra. The venues
that we now use most often are the West Faversham Community Centre and Queen
Elizabeth's Grammar School, Faversham.
Oare String Orchestra is proud to have been the winner of six Performing Right Society
awards for innovative programming.