The CPSO was formed in 1989 through the initiative of local musicians, including the past leader Jeremy Sampson, with Anthony Hopkins CBE as the orchestra’s first principal conductor. Between 1992-2002 the orchestra performed ten seasons of memorable concerts together with its Principal Conductor Norman Beedie.  After an extensive search for their new principal conductor the CPSO were delighted when the excellent Russell Keable accepted the challenge and has now been conducting us since March 2004. 

CPSO has also worked with several guest conductors, including Pavel Kotla during the Summer 2005 and the Autumn 2006 concert, David Honeyball in Autumn 2007 and Paul Hilliam in 2008.. 

After the March 2007 concert, our long standing leader, Jeremy Sampson, had to depart to pastures new to move to the Birmingham area.  We are delighted that wonderful Angus Gibbon has now very ably filled his shoes and we continue to look to the future with confidence.

In 2006 and 2007, CPSO were privileged to enjoy coaching by members of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra as part of the "Music in the City" initiative, funded by Peterborough City Council.  Exposure to such talented professionals had a very important effect on the standard of playing. 

The CPSO has performed in various venues throughout the Peterborough area, and was the first symphony orchestra to perform in the refurbished Broadway Theatre and, following the fire at the Broadway, at the wonderful new Voyager School Concert Hall. The CPSO aims to raise the profile of classical music in the area, and indeed promotes two-thirds of classical concerts heard locally. The musicians are drawn from the Peterborough area and are led by professional colleagues.