​Musical Director David Chatterton conducts our rehearsals in  Totnes 

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We are a small but ambitious amateur chamber orchestra, originating in Dartmouth, but based in Totnes. Players travel from across the South Devon and beyond. Our aim is to provide a playing experience in weekly rehearsals and around three concerts a year that is supportive, collaborative and has the aim of working on great music to the best of our ability as a musical team. Under our new Musical Director David Chatterton and Deputy Music Director Laura Parfitt we aim to develop musicianship, expression and enjoyment alongside clarity of direction - and a sociable tea break in our rehearsals! 

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The orchestra is a registered charity (1085224), and we are keen to take our music to new venues and new audiences while supporting local charities through our music. We strive to continually enhance our reputation for delivering quality performances, while maintaining the friendly, inclusive atmosphere and strong community feeling within the orchestra.

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The Players

The orchestra players have a range of experience. Several attended the Royal Academy of Music and have played or are still   playing professionally, others  are amateur players with grade 8 standard or above,.

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For example:  Sebastian leads the second violins in Dartmouth Orchestra. As a teenager, Sebastian studied with Emmanuel Hurwitz, before going on to study with Winifred Roberts and Sidney Griller at the Royal Academy of Music. Sebastian played in a prize winning quartet, then went on to play professionally in England and Germany for a few years before switching to a career in law. After a period of thirty years away from violin playing, Sebastian began again in 2025, and is now very much enjoying reconnecting with this wonderful instrument. 

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Paul was initially a trumpet player in the military, in 1992 when the Army re-structured Military bands, he was given the opportunity to transfer onto Oboe. After a year training at Kneller Hall under Bob Cattermole (principal of Covent Garden) he was sent to a band in Shropshire, then after auditioning transferring to the Army Air Corps Band as principal Oboe.

It was here he studied and gained a performance diploma from Trinity College. Some highlights are playing in Buckingham Palace for the Queen and performing in the world-famous Royal Albert Hall. Now working as an estate agent in Cornwall he travels to Totnes on a weekly basis to play principal Oboe with Dartmouth Orchestra.

Paul is also often found working in Scratch orchestras around the country either as a soloist or member of the orchestra. Paul has given solo recitals around the country including The du Maurier Festival in Fowey. Teaching is something he gains great joy from and passing his passion onto the next generation.

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Ryan completed his BA in Music in London where he was lucky enough to study abroad in America for a year. In both places of study, his main interest was Music Theory and History. Ryan also secured a scholarship for his Postgraduate Degree in Music at University of Birmingham where he continued his studies in Musicology. He later returned to University to complete his PGCE and became a Teacher of Music in Wiltshire where he joined the Trowbridge Orchestra. Upon leaving the teaching profession, Ryan has rediscovered his love for performance with the Dartmouth Orchestra and is currently looking at Performance Diplomas as an option in the future under guidance from Orchestra Leader Brenda Willoughby.

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The orchestra does not audition and prides itself in being inclusive in the widest sense. We accept players with less experience, provided they are prepared for the hard work necessary adjusting to the repertoire of the orchestra.

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For example, Susan (our secretary)  started learning the violin in October 2021 with  Anna Davis, and joined the orchestra in September 2024.  It has been very hard work coping with the orchestra repertoire and the high standard of playing, but Susan wanted an environment that would accelerate learning. In a former life, she was an applied physicist in manufacturing engineering, but now writes, and produces wildlife videos for conservation and education.

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