Sunderland Symphony Orchestra

About Sunderland Symphony Orchestra

Sunderland Symphony Orchestra is a voluntary orchestra of musicians and friends who enjoy making orchestral music together and sharing it with audiences across Sunderland.

More than 25 years of music in Sunderland

The orchestra began as the City of Sunderland Millennium Orchestral Society (CoSMOS), conceived in 1999 as a lasting musical and educational legacy for the new millennium. Its first public performance took place in February 2000, and the organisation became a registered charity later that year. In 2011 it became Sunderland Symphony Orchestra.

Over the years the orchestra has performed a wide range of orchestral music and has also taken part in schools, community and outreach projects. We celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2025 and continue to rehearse and perform in the city today.

Musical Director — David Milner

David Milner began playing tenor horn at 11 and progressed through the Cargo Fleet Steel Works junior and senior bands. At 16 he successfully auditioned for the Band of HM Life Guards, changing to French horn and also taking up the cello. He studied at the Royal Military School of Music, Kneller Hall, and at the Royal Academy of Music.

Alongside a career with Northumbria Police, David continued to work as a professional musician. He later spent 15 years as a peripatetic music teacher across Gateshead, Newcastle and North Tyneside. He now concentrates principally on conducting and has led Sunderland Symphony Orchestra since 2018.

Supported in Sunderland

We are grateful for current support from Sunderland City Council and the Sunderland City Council East Area Committee.