The Durban City Orchestra has around 40 members, with both learners and experienced musicians from diverse backgrounds that reflects the rainbow nation. Our repertoire combines the classical and symphonic genres with popular and contempory styles, often incorporating instrumental and vocal soloists, as well as choirs. We frequently perform at schools, exposing learners to orchestral music and providing accompaniment to school choirs and budding soloists.

The orchestra has been in existence since 1888 when it was formed as the Durban Philharmonic Society. Comprising musicians from various backgrounds, it provides a platform for amateurs, scholars, and students to perform within an orchestral environment. It is the second oldest symphony orchestra in South Africa, although it has been known under various aliases during this time: Durban Municipal Orchestra, the Durban Symphony Orchestra and Gateway Philharmonic Orchestra. It is a registered non-profit organisation and is currently self-funded.

Rehearsals take place on Monday evenings from 18h30 at the School of Music at the UKZN Howard College Campus. Any players of orchestral instruments that are capable of reading music are welcomed. Auditions may be required at the conductor's discretion.

View our current orchestra members

Russell started playing drums whilst still at primary school and upon moving to Durban in 1999, played both percussion and trumpet in the Northwood Brass Band, which he then took over conducting after leaving school. He has played with and conducted the KZN Prestige Band on international tours to Germany, Italy and Dubai.

During his musical studies at UKZN, Russell played with numerous ensembles in and around Durban, including the NMR Military Band, KZN Youth Wind Band and the Durban City Orchestra as well as being involved in many shows at different theatres such as the Dockyard Supper Theatre and the Heritage Theatre.

Taking over the Durban City Orchestra from the Philip Maier in 2005, Russell has since led the orchestra through a number of successful concerts at venues such as Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Marianhill Monastery, Suncoast Casino and the Hexagon Theatre Pietermaritzburg.

2007 was spent in London playing and arranging for the East London Brass Band and the Ealing Symphony Orchestra.

Resuming the conductor's position at the DCO in 2008, he has aiding in moving the orchestra in a more classical direction, and has already led the orchestra in the numerous classical concerts, conducting works such as Schubert's Unfinished Symphony, Beethoven's 5th, Borodin's Polovtsian Dances, and Oklahoma!.

Having taken master classes with Maestros Omri Hadari and Victor Yampolsky, Russell is active in numerous musical circles around Durban.