The Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1930 by local musicians who came together to enjoy making music. For more than sixty years we were the only symphony orchestra to perform regularly in the town.
 
The opening of The Anvil transformed the orchestral scene with its remarkable acoustics, and today the BSO is a thriving community orchestra of more than seventy musicians performing an ambitious repertoire to a consistently high standard.​
 
We have a long tradition of supporting outstanding rising stars of the classical world, giving them the opportunity to perform with a full symphony orchestra early in their careers.​
 
he BSO performs annually at the Petersfield Festival. In 2025 we celebrated our ninety fifth anniversary with a special outdoor concert at The Vyne, and next June we will perform in the historic barn at Old Basing House.​

Today the orchestra is over 70 members strong, playing a wide variety of music from Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Tchaikovsky, Grieg supporting choral works to modern classics from the film world. BSO's purpose is to give soloists at the beginning of their careers the opportunity of a full symphony orchestra experience in an amazing venue like The Anvil.