Orchestra History
	The orchestra was founded by Margo Fagan with the help of Hugh McDowell who taught 'cello at Prior Weston school and Julia Munne who was wind principal at the ILEA and taught in Morley College. The School, under its Head Henry Pluckrose, was remarkable in its creative arts oriented approach to learning. As head of music at Prior Weston school in Whitecross Street, Margo organised a Christmas party with music and carols. Parents and siblings had been invited to come along but many more came with instruments than expected. It was so successful that everyone said that they should do it more often.
	Regular meetings were begun and, under Islington's checker centre, the group become an evening class. Eventually it grew to the extent of putting on concerts at St Giles Cripplegate and ocassionally at St. James Clerkenwell.
	The group later moved to Starcross school where it remained for some time, giving performances both there and in the St Silas and All Saints church adjacent. They had some difficulties with the school as term times had to be adhered to. The schools had to begin charging, Islington withdrew its grant and in due course the vicar at St Silas suggested that they might like to move to the church permanently, where the orchestra now resides.
	For the following 12 years Anthony Milledge conducted the orchestra. He took the orchestra to a completely new level and broadened the repertoire.
	The orchestra is currently conducted by Peter Fender.