KSO founder Leslie Head
KSO founder Leslie Head
In its 53rd year the Kensington Symphony Orchestra enjoys an enviable reputation as one of the finest amateur orchestras in the UK. Its founding premise — to provide students and amateurs with an opportunity to perform concerts at the highest possible level — continues to be at the heart of its mission. It regularly attracts the best non-professional players from around London.

It seems extraordinary that KSO has only had two principal conductors — the founder, Leslie Head, and the current incumbent, Russell Keable. The dedication, enthusiasm and passion of these two musicians has indelibly shaped KSO’s image, giving it a distinctive repertoire which undoubtedly sets it apart from other groups. Its continued commitment to the performance of the most challenging works in the canon is allied to a hunger for new music, lost masterpieces, overlooked film scores and those quirky corners of the repertoire that few others dare touch.