History

From 1984 to 2011 West Dorset Music Centre, under the umbrella of the Dorset Music Service, provided opportunities for young people to experience music making in a number of ensembles (orchestra, junior and senior wind bands, string band, recorders, percussion and choir), with players progressing to more advanced County ensembles. Regular Saturday morning rehearsals were held during term time and end of term concerts were performed. A highlight was the Royal Albert Hall concert involving young musicians from across the whole county of Dorset.

In 2011 Dorset Music Service made cutbacks and the loss of music teachers meant that the Music Centre in Bridport had to be disbanded.

The Friends of West Dorset Music, who had supported these groups through their committee work, decided that the community needed to have music and orchestra provision available to youngsters and adults in the area. An open music session was held and a small group of players, young and not so young, formed the West Dorset Community Orchestra. Walter Brewster, who had worked for Dorset Music Service, was the new conductor. Rehearsals have been held on Wednesday evenings since January 2012.

Walter stepped down as conductor at the end of the Summer Term, 2023. The Friends of West Dorset Music once again had to find a way of keeping the orchestra going. Rosalind Tarry took over as conductor temporarily for the Autumn Term and the Christmas concert in 2023. Then in January 2024 Jonathan Jevons took on the role of permanent conductor.

Over the years the orchestra has gone from strength to strength and gained more players, including a brass section. There are now over thirty members.