About Us
The Co-op Orchestra was initially founded as a children's orchestra at the Centaur Road Boys School. It was directed by Mr Petty who was both Headmaster of Centaur Road School and an enthusiastic music teacher, giving regular music classes at the Coventry Co-operative Society Evening School. In February 1917 the orchestra gave its first public concert. In 1927 the orchestra expanded to include adult members, and has continued with sponsorship from the Heart of England Co-operative Society.
Membership of the orchestra is open to musicians of varying abilities and new members are given help and encouragement by more experienced players. The orchestra presents five or six concerts throughout the year in a variety of locations. The orchestra hosts at least one concert for it's sponsors, which is usually in October time at the Central Hall in Coventry, and other concerts are held to raise money for local charities. In recent years, we have been pleased to help several local groups including Coventry Mencap, Headway Coventry & Warwickshire, the restoration fund of St. John the Baptist Church, the Grangers Group for Young People with Learning Disabilities, The Laura Centre and Zoë's Place.
The orchestra's current Musical Director is Mark Wooton, who brings experience and enthusiasm and has led the orchestra through a range of concerts including playing at Baginton Airport for the last flight of the feted DC3 Dakota, which took part in the Berlin airlift. He has conducted for an average of 5 concerts every year, most of which are for fundraising for local and national charities. We average over £2000 every year which is donated to good causes.
Press releases
Coventry Orchestra presents Peter and the Wolf in a special Children’s...
A treat awaits all the family this spring as Coventry’s Heart of England Co-operative Concert Orchestra returns with an enchanting musical... read more
07.02.2024 • By Heart of England Cooperative Concert Orchestra
Coventry orchestra raises funds for children in poverty
It’s time to shake off any winter blues and what better way to do it than with a rousing concert from Coventry’s own Heart of England Cooperative... read more
07.02.2023 • By Heart of England Cooperative Concert Orchestra