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.

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