Formed from an ensemble originally created by Samuel Coleridge Taylor, since 1920 Croydon Symphony Orchestra have sought to lead the field in both musical quality and innovation. 
 
Led by many distinguished musicians in its time, after the orchestra’s first Musical Director, W. H. Reed (an important character in the life of Sir Edward Elgar) died in 1942, Norman Del Mar took up the baton in 1947. 
 
One of the foremost British conductors and teachers of his day, Norman expanded both the work, and the repertoire of the orchestra, placing importance on representing contemporary music in the orchestra’s scheduling, an instinct that remains with us today. 
 
In 1958, Arthur Davison became the orchestra’s third Musical Director; followed by his son Darrell, the two oversaw a period that lasted an astonishing 68 years.   
 
In 1962, the orchestra performed the acoustic test concert for the newly built Fairfield Halls; the halls quickly became the regular concert venue, and at times, the orchestra played there six times per season. 
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Arthur placed great importance on education, both in rehearsal, but also in the concert hall (being awarded a CBE for his efforts).  Croydon Symphony Orchestra was one of the first amateur orchestras to give family concerts.  Their regular performances brought household names to the Fairfield Halls.  Generations of children would remember the Arthur Davison Family Concerts for the rest of their lives, and many professional musicians owe their start in music to being inspired by these trailblazing events. 
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The orchestra also continued to champion contemporary music, bringing some of the earliest performances of Sir Arthur Bliss to the concert hall, to name one. 
 
Founded by Arthur, but passionately championed by Darrell, the bi-annual Croydon Concerto competition has launched the careers of many notable soloists in the field, and this support of young musicians again goes to the very heart of what has made Croydon Symphony Orchestra one of the leading amateur symphony orchestras in the country. 
 
In 2026 the orchestra consists of highly trained amateurs, semi-professional musicians and teachers.  Christopher Braime, now only the orchestra’s fifth Musical Director, helps to take the orchestra into the second quarter of the twenty first century proudly supporting many of the fine traditions that have made the orchestra what it is today, ensuring the orchestra maintains that instinct for modernity and innovation. 
 
Christopher helps us to add another dimension to the orchestra’s identity: a sense of wider community.  CSO, for so long a part of Croydon’s vibrant artistic history, knows it needs to be an active part of shaping its future.  We have already begun new and exciting partnerships with schools, colleges, charities, community and other musical groups.  We aim to be a hub, a champion, and a support to the vast network of diverse music that has made Croydon so special for so long. 
 
106 years and counting… our future looks bright, thank you for being part of it.