President: Rt Hon Sir Murray Stuart-Smith KCMG
Musical Director: Thomas Loten
Musical Director: Thomas Loten
Thomas Loten founded the then Hemel Hempstead Orchestra in 1972. The name was subsequently changed to the Dacorum Symphony Orchestra. The DSO has given a series of concerts every year since then. The orchestra has been joined by many distinguished soloists and has played in a variety of venues.
Thomas Loten
THOMAS LOTEN studied at Bretton Hall College and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where his conducting teachers included Aylmer Buesst and Norman del Mar. He was a founder member of the Canford Summer School of Music Conducting Course under George Hurst.
After many years of teaching in primary and secondary schools, he arrived in Hemel Hempstead in 1970 to take up the post of Music Advisory Assistant for Hertfordshire County Council, the post which included the conductorship of the Dacorum Youth Orchestra.
He founded the Hemel Hempstead Orchestra in 1972 (which later became the Dacorum Symphony Orchestra) and its chamber orchestra the Dacorum Sinfonietta in 1974, thus giving local players the opportunity to perform a wide repertoire in the many large and small halls and churches in the area.
After many years of teaching in primary and secondary schools, he arrived in Hemel Hempstead in 1970 to take up the post of Music Advisory Assistant for Hertfordshire County Council, the post which included the conductorship of the Dacorum Youth Orchestra.
He founded the Hemel Hempstead Orchestra in 1972 (which later became the Dacorum Symphony Orchestra) and its chamber orchestra the Dacorum Sinfonietta in 1974, thus giving local players the opportunity to perform a wide repertoire in the many large and small halls and churches in the area.
The Dacorum Sinfonietta
The Dacorum Sinfonietta is the chamber ensemble of the DSO, and operates as required, giving concerts in the churches and smaller halls in the Dacorum area of Hertfordshire. It was founded in 1974 and its first public performance was at the opening of Leverstock Green Village Hall. Since then, it has given many concerts, including a 15-year series at Berkhamsted Town Hall.
Having a group such as this gives regular members, and guest players, the opportunity to perform music of the Baroque and early Classical eras, using the appropriate number of musicians, in venues which would be unsuitable for a full symphony orchestra.
Having a group such as this gives regular members, and guest players, the opportunity to perform music of the Baroque and early Classical eras, using the appropriate number of musicians, in venues which would be unsuitable for a full symphony orchestra.
