About
About
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We are a community orchestra in Richmond, SW London, welcoming adult players of all abilities, from newer players to highly skilled ones. We enjoy playing a variety of music, including classical, jazz, concert band, TV/film scores, and rock/pop.
We are passionate about helping adult players enjoy ensemble playing regardless of their previous experience, so we do not require new members to audition. Instead, we ask that you read music and be at least ABRSM grade 4 (or equivalent) upwards.
We write/arrange all our music with the individual skills of our players in mind. So if you're a less skilled musician, you can enjoy playing the same repertoire as more advanced players (but your part will be customised to your current level). So, if you're a bit rusty or haven't been playing for long, you can still play intermediate/advanced music within the ensemble. This is unique among adult community ensembles: we do not rely on pre-existing parts as most amateur ensembles do. As a result, less experienced players can enjoy playing more advanced music, while more skilled musicians will find that they are more challenged: if you can handle it, prepare to shine! No getting lost amongst the many flutes or clarinets!
Our rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 pm, during term time only. We meet at Duke Street Church, Quadrant Rd, Richmond, TW9 1DH. We also enjoy a 'third Wednesday' (of each month) beer in a local pub.
We perform concerts twice a year in the Richmond area. Our next concert is on Wednesday, July 8th, 2026. Tickets will be available from May onwards.
Please get in touch with us by email or Instagram to learn more about our fees, workshops, rehearsals and concerts.
We look forward to welcoming you to Duke Street.
Musical Director
Musical Director
Pam Pecko Smith
Pam Pecko Smith is a freelance flautist, vocalist, and music educator who performs within an eclectic range of ensembles. She is a native of the Philadelphia area, where she earned a Bachelor of Music with Honours at the University of the Arts, Philadelphia. She then completed intensive graduate studies at the Franz Liszt Music Academy in Budapest, Hungary. Her primary mentors and professors were Adeline Tomasone and the late Seán Deibler (in Philadelphia), István Matuz, and Ferenc Rados (in Hungary).
Pam has performed widely throughout the UK and Ireland in varied genres spanning orchestral, folk, film music, world music, and jazz. She is a member of the Lodore Trio and also sings in her own vintage jazz group, Honeysuckle Jazz, specialising in songs from the 1920s-40s.
A dedicated teacher of performing ensembles, Pam has served on music faculties in private and international schools in Hungary, Portugal, the US, England, Kenya, Turkey, and Poland. She is currently on The City Lit, London's music staff and serves as a private music tutor.
Operations Manager
Operations Manager
Sarah Savage
Sarah Savage plays jazz, classical and big band on alto sax with several local orchestras and jazz groups. She has also been a member of various choirs and performance ensembles. She started on the flute at the age of 6, then transitioned to the clarinet and oboe, before eventually focusing exclusively on the alto saxophone at 14. She continues to learn; she currently drums and attends jazz school on her alto sax at Richmond Adult Community College. Sarah plays in the big band of British trumpet legend Henry Lowther.
Sarah is an experienced music arranger who arranges all the music for Duke Street Orchestra and other ensembles across a variety of genres. She also organises the online music library. She is also responsible for Duke Street's organisation and administration, and can be persuaded to make your part easier (or harder) if you don’t like it! She is a founder member of the recently formed Duke Street Band (pop and rock in a unique jazz style!), which will be coming soon to a gig venue near you.
She is also UK teacher.
Our values
Our values
Community - we work together musically for the wellbeing of all.
Diversity - we welcome and support players from diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Integrity - we strive to improve as musicians, remaining true to the conductor's and composer's intentions.
Yes, you can jazz!
Two-day jazz workshop for beginners
We have places for: trumpet, trombone, guitar, bass and drums. This is a perfect workshop for you if you're a classical or pop/rock player and have always wanted to know more about playing jazz. No previous jazz experience necessary but you need to be grade 4-8 standard+.
Malcolm will guide you through starting to improvise using simple tools and skills you already have. We’ll also be learning how to play as a band: developing a collective rhythmic ‘feel’, creating riffs and backings, and generally having fun!
Date: Friday, July 17th 2026, 10:00 - 16.00 and Saturday, July 18th 10:00-16:00
Event Address: Duke Street Church, Quadrant Road, Richmond, TW9 1DH
Cost: £150 (includes all music, tea, coffee and biscuits)
Contact us: dukestreetorchestra@gmail.com.
This event is accessible to wheelchair users. There is a disabled parking space outside the venue, and parking is available locally within 4 minutes.
There are multiple eateries and takeaways within a 3-minute walk of the venue.
Duke Street Players
Are you a Grade 7/8+ concert band musician? Join the newly formed Duke Street Players advanced ensemble. We meet 5-6pm on Wednesdays before the main orchestra rehearsal. Both ensembles rehearse at Duke Street Church.
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