The Orchestra

History

An abridged history of   the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra

by Arthur Attwood, Basingstoke town historian.

To be invited to write a history of the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra - a set of highly dedicated musicians who have provided me with so much enjoyment - is an assignment which has given me much pleasure.

Music is an important part of our national heritage and its history is a fascinating study, so too is the development of music in our town, in which the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra (previously the Basingstoke Orchestral Society) has played such a major part. In recent years it has gone from strength to strength and as Basingstoke has grown, both in numbers and stature, so too, has the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra. With more and more musicians in the town, many of whom are accomplished players, it is no exaggeration to say that the Orchestra today has reached a very high standard of performance and much commendation for that goes to the present Conductor, Stephen Scotchmer. But in analysing the present status of the Orchestra one has to realise that it is the pioneers who have gone before, both players and conductors, who have paved the way.

Looking through the 'Gazette' files, there are references to concerts presented by local musicians as far back as the 1880's and just when the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra was formed is a matter for conjecture. It does seem however that 1930 may have been the year when the old Basingstoke Orchestral Society got under way. At that time, there were a number of highly competent musicians including members of the family of Mr. Vernon Griffiths, proprietor of a furniture store in Church Street. Vernon Griffiths formed his own orchestra, which I heard playing at an exhibition in the old Sarum Hill Drill Hall in the mid 1920's. The cellist, Ivor, was ever present with the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra until recent years.

Another cellist, still remembered by many, was Bill Woodcock, who played with the Symphony Orchestra until shortly before his death in 1978. He was also a member of a musical family, the younger members of which formed the Orpheus Concert Party in 1913. A year earlier, Bill Woodcock had played at his Wesleyan Methodist Church in Church Street on the occasion of the memorial service to the victims of the Titanic disaster.

The Orpheus Concert Party broke up during the First World War but reformed in the 1920's at a time when the Vicar of Basingstoke, Canon H. W. Boustead - a fine violinist - played a leading part in the town's music. His augmented orchestra, which played at Garden Fetes, is still often referred to. One of his players was Dr. Leslie Housden, not only a highly respected local practitioner but `Uncle Leslie' of Children's Hour on the radio.Going back to earlier times - the days of the reign of King Edward VII, members of the Bird family, connected with the Basingstoke Gazette, formed themselves into trios/quartets and joined forces on occasions with the Woodcock family.

Towards the end of the reign of King Edward, a very fine musician - Mr. W. H. Knight - came to the town, an orchestra was formed, and it is true to say, that this was the foundation of Basingstoke's first orchestra. Some of the members played in it for many years and eventually became founder members of the 1931 Basingstoke Orchestral Society. Page 2...