The Orchestra of the City was founded in April 2003 and gave its debut at St John’s Smith Square in July of that year. Since then the orchestra has come to be recognised as one of the leading amateur orchestras in London and has performed at venues throughout London such as St James’ Piccadilly, St Paul's Knightsbridge, LSO St. Lukes and The Grand Ballroom of Australia House, where the distinguished pianist Piers Lane joined them in concert. The Orchestra of the City gives talented and enthusiastic voluntary musicians a chance to play regularly in a non-professional orchestra of a high standard with challenging repertoire. The Orchestra is made up of teachers, nurses, solicitors, bankers, doctors, researchers, scientists, recording engineers, arts administrators and a myriad of other professions.

Recently the orchestra has performed with many estabilished and up-and-coming soloists including Chris White performing Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto, Oliver Coates performing Dvorak's Cello Concerto and Andrew Harvey performing the Bartok Violin Concerto No. 2.  In September 2010 the orchestra had the privilege to play Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 with previous Young Musician of the Year winner and internationally acclaimed soloist Guy Johnston. 

In June 2004, the orchestra performed Barber’s Toccata Festiva at St John’s Smith Square with international concert organist Simon Preston, prior to his playing the work at The Last Night of the Proms. In September 2004, they gave the first European performances of Sir John Tavener's Lament for Jerusalem with the Rodolfus Choir at King's College Chapel Cambridge (in the presence of the composer), and St George's Cathedral Southwark. The Orchestra returned to the Australia House in November 2004 for a celebration of the music of William Wallace conducted by Richard Bonynge. In December 2004, a concert at St. Giles Cripplegate featured the orchestra’s leader, Tom Evans, giving an excellent performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. Other highlights have been performances of Mahler's Symphony No.5, Walton's Symphony No.1, Sibelius's Symphony No.2 and Shostakovich's Symphony No.10. Also keen to give young rising stars the opportunity to perform, the Orchestra last season welcomed talented young pianist Benjamin Grosvenor, winner of the Piano Final in the BBC Young Musician of the Year 2005, for a performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21. The Orchestra also plays further afield from time to time, and recently performed Brahms's Requiem with the Rodolfus Choir at Eton College Chapel and Tewkesbury Abbey, under conductor Ralph Allwood. For a full list of past concerts, please click here.