The Reid Orchestra

The Reid Orchestra (1917-1924) - conductor, Professor Tovey;  changed its name to Reid Symphony Orchestra (1924-1941) - conductor, Professor Tovey

 
The Reid Orchestra in the McEwan Hall, 1918 (image taken from a Reid Orchestra programme of March 1918)

A local orchestra for the establishment of regular concerts of the best music at popular prices in Edinburgh; for the instruction and development of native talent; and as a means for the practical study of music in the University of Edinburgh.  D.F.T. July 1919

"All music-lovers who have studied on the Continent, deplore the absence in this country of good local orchestras, such as exist or existed in all the larger and many of the smaller towns of Central Europe.  It was to repair this deficiency, and at the same time to provide the University with an instrument whereby the study of orchestration could be made a real, living thing that, in 1916, Professor Tovey, with the aid of the Amalgamated Musicians' Union, formed this orchestra of Scottish players."
"The noteworthy features of the Reid Orchestra are, in brief, as follows:-
"1. It is composed of local musicians.
"2. It is the only symphony orchestra in the country that has a definite educational function.
"3. It already possesses a large repertoire, and is steadily growing in numbers, experience and versatility.
"4. Its conductor - Professor Tovey - and its committee enjoy, in a remarkable degree, the sympathy and confidence of the local orchestral players, whose artistic and financial status it enhances in a manner otherwise unattainable.
"5. It does not perform for profit.  Its conductor is unpaid, and the net takings of the concerts will be devoted to the extension of the orchestra and the enhancement of the well-being of its members.
"6. Its concert programmes are artistically ideal, and are equalled in interest and catholicity of selection only by some of the leading orchestras of England and the Continent.
"7. The charges for admission are so moderate as to place the enjoyment of the concerts within the reach of all."  - From "The Student" of 26th January 1921.

The twenty-first anniversary of the Reid Orchestra was celebrated in October 1937 with a concert in the Usher Hall followed by a civic reception in the City Chambers. 

• Image of the orchestra 1935-36 (image taken from photograph in the Tovey collection, CRC, University of Edinburgh)
   

The fiftieth season of the Reid Orchestra was in 1965-1966.  This was also the twenty-fifth season under the conductorship of Professor Sidney Newman and the twentieth season since the University assumed entire responsibility for the promotion of the orchestra and its annual concert season.