Formed in 1989 by Paul Neville (founder and first conductor) and members of the professional staff at the Royal Marines School of Music, the KCO gave its first concert in Deal on 15th October followed by their first Christmas Festival in the Marlow (recorded and broadcast by BBC Kent on Christmas Day) on 5th December.  Although in the early days they occasionally appeared in Margate, Herne Bay, Folkestone and Dover, their concerts have chiefly been held in Canterbury’s theatre where The KCO have taken the stage over 50 times.

Modelled on the BBC Concert Orchestra in size and repertoire, the latter evident by the wide variety of their programme themes selected, which include ‘Melodies for You’, ‘A Viennese Evening’, ‘Strauss Gala’ and ‘Music from the Movies’, the orchestra is staffed by professional’s from London and the South East including many still performing in the London orchestras.

In 1991 the theatre arranged its first ‘Marlowe Young Musician of the Year’ competition, an annual event that has always involved the KCO and particularly its conductor who auditions the competitors prior to selection for the final concert.  The high standard of performance by such young players each year represents a remarkable achievement particularly as soloists and orchestra have just three hours on the afternoon of the concert to rehearse four concertos and prepare the concert.  The ‘Young Musician’ competition was presented from 1997 by the broadcaster Richard Baker, who has added much to the smooth running of the occasion.  The Classic FM presenter Jane Jones will undertake this role from 2008.

Another of the orchestra’s annual commitments, the late summer ‘Gala Night at the Proms’ began in 1996 rather by accident when they replaced, at short notice, another orchestra unable to appear.  Attracting an audience which always seem, above everything, to enjoy a good tune, in addition to the traditional music of ’Rule Britannia’, ‘Pomp and Circumstance’, Jerusalem and Sea Songs.

The current conductor is John Perkins who was a founding member of the orchestra and its first Leader.