Offshoot Groups

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Cobweb Chamber Orchestra

The Cobweb Chamber Orchestra provides an opportunity for experienced players to give performances. It is a balanced ensemble (sorry, no trombones!) and demands a level of commitment from players to learn specific repertoire. It is conducted by Andy Jackson and has performed in beautiful venues such as Ushaw College, Aysgarth Church, Bowes Museum, and Preston Park Museum. Sometimes concerts have a theme, such as an evening of pieces by Spanish composers or music from Bohemia.

Visit our Events Diary for upcoming events.

CCO rehearsing in Eldon Community Centre in May 2026

Chamber Orchestra concert in Lobley Hill church in 2026

Cobweb Cabaret Ensemble

The Cobweb Cabaret Ensemble is a group of around 10 to 17 musicians, who have provided entertainment for concerts, private functions and events with a wide range of music, from classical and jazz to popular and Latin American numbers, with much of the repertoire especially arranged or composed by Andy Jackson, who directs from the trumpet. Performances have included a concert in Hall 2 at The Sage Gateshead (now The Glasshouse) and playing for the Friends of Alnwick Gardens and Beamish Museum, as well as delegates at the 2012 Making Music Conference in Cardiff. The National Trust commissioned the Cobweb Cabaret Ensemble to record Franz Lehar’s ‘Gold & Silver Waltz’ for a CD for visitors to Lyme Park in Cheshire.

If you’d like any information, and for any enquiries regarding bookings of the Chamber Orchestra or Cabaret Ensemble, please contact Andy Jackson:
andy.jackson@cobweborchestra.org.uk
Telephone: 0781 464 6104

Baroque Group performing at Dipton in 2023

Cobweb Baroque Group

The Cobweb Baroque Group is a flexible number of string players who enjoy playing music from the 17th and early 18th centuries. Much of the repertoire is by Vivaldi, Corelli, Handel and Bach. They play without a conductor, directed by Elizabeth Beer on first violin, and are also occasionally joined by guest wind or brass players. They are available to play for organisations and functions such as weddings.

For further information about the Baroque Group, please contact Elizabeth Beer: eabeer@btinternet.com

Cobweb Composers and Arrangers

Do you fancy having a go at composing or arranging? The C & A group has been meeting online for several years now to share and discuss new pieces, ideas in progress, and often fragments of whatever instrumental persuasion that might be wandering in the inner ear eager to get out. It’s not a composition class; they learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives and help develop and encourage mutual musical thoughts and wishes. They are supported by Bill Connor, composer for BBC Radio Orchestras, film and television. You are welcome to join the group and share any creativity of an orchestral nature, regardless of style or genre and with whatever instrumentation you may conjure up.

Please contact: billmus@btinternet.com

Leading from the keyboard

The Composers and Arrangers at Dipton in April 2026

Guinea Pig Orchestra

The GPO is an group of brave players who are not a regular group but who volunteer to be guinea pigs whenever Cobwebs needs to carry out controlled musical experiments. GPO sessions may be called to accompany soloists, to hone conducting skills, or for our composers & arrangers to try out a new pieces, but you never quite know what it’ll be next. Please continue to support the Cobweb ethos of if it’s on the stand we’ll give it a go!

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