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.