The HCO through the years.
From a small amateur society founded in Upminster in 1936 to today’s Havering Concert Orchestra, this is the story of nearly ninety years of music-making.
What follows is a timeline of our story.
You can also see and download a brief History of the HCO here: Havering Concert Orchestra A History. This download was put together by 2 current members of the Orchestra who joined in the 1980s.
1936
Where it all began
1937 – The Mikado
One of the earliest surviving programmes in our archives for a production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado presented by the Upminster and District Philharmonic Society in April 1937.
We believe the the musical director was in fact Fred Southgate. The Mikado of Japan was played by Herbert Parrish and Nanki-Poo his son by Basil Tucker.
It was a three night run with tickets ranging from 1/6d to 3/6d and programmes at 3d each. The production took place at the Commemoration Hall Upminster (Ed: I believe this is now part of the current Trinity Church). Patrons were asked to “kindly refrain from smoking during The First Act”. How times have changed.
1936
The Upminster & District Philharmonic Society
The Upminster & District Philharmonic Society was the forerunner of the Havering Concert Orchestra. Formed in 1936, it consisted of both an orchestra and an operatic chorus. After the war, the group restarted as a string only orchestra rehearsing at the Dury Falls School.
1954
Eric Coles becomes conductor.
In 1954 Eric Coles was appointed conductor. He had just left the BBC Concert Orchestra and was approached by Mr Cyril Cooke, then principal of the Hornchurch Evening Institute, with the object of forming an adult amateur orchestra. Wind instruments were added and the Hornchurch Orchestra was born.
1962
It was May 1962 when the May concert was reviewed in the Hornchurch Recorder. In a glowing piece, Peter Halstead enthused: “What exactly Mr Eric Coles has been doing with the Hornchurch Orchestra since their last concert, I’m not allowed to know. But one thing is certain: their strings beat any local competition and family virtues see them soundly through formidable pages of music when orchestras with more isolated talent would be left sadly limping…”
Throughout the 60s the orchestra continued to flourish the under the stewardship of Eric Coles. Known as the Hornchurch Orchestra, performances were held at a variety of venues including Dury Falls School (where Havering Sixth Form college now stands), Romford County Technical School (was in Havering Drive), Hornchurch Grammar (now Emerson Park School) and Gaynes School in Upminster.
1965
The orchestra becomes the Havering Concert Orchestra
1972
Robin Stone becomes Conductor.
Robin was a colourful character, he was a professor and examiner of piano at the London College of Music. As well as teaching, he composed several works, including a clarinet concerto, two piano quartets and a violin concerto at the age of 19. This latter work was performed by the orchestra in March 1974 with local soloist Glyn Davis. At the same concert, the orchestra also premiered a Concertino for two guitars and small orchestra by Professor Ian Parrott.
The concert that moved outdoors
There wasn’t enough room in the house…
Brian Luck recalls “There wasn’t enough room to fit us in as there were 30 or 40 players… so he (Robin Stone) decided to hold the rehearsal in his garden. We attached our music sheets to the bushes with clothes pegs! It caused a lot of amusement with the neighbours…”
1979
Robert Ferguson becomes Conductor
Robert Ferguson Conductor (1979-1999)
See Bio
1999
Mike Axtell becomes Conductor
2005
2019
2020
Covid
Not much stops us playing.
Unable to practise in our hall – some played in a garden! And many joined in on zoom meetings.
2025
60th Anniversay Concert
60th Anniversary Concert including Beethoven’s 5th Symphony. Attended by the Mayor of Havering, Councillor Sue Ospreay and Mayoress, Mrs Sharon Sutton – Saturday 22nd Nov 2025.
The story continues
Nearly ninety years after the orchestra was founded, the HCO continues to bring live orchestral music to Havering—still rehearsing every Wednesday, still welcoming new players, and still performing for local audiences.