Friends of the ECO brings together people who love live music and want to play a continuing role in the Orchestra’s story and musical legacy.
Become a Member
Join Friends of the English Chamber Orchestra
Come closer to the music
Why Become a Friend?
Belong to Something the Music Depends On
Great performances are made possible not only by the musicians on stage, but by the people who choose to stand behind them.
Becoming a Friend turns your enjoyment of the English Chamber Orchestra into dependable support the ECO can plan around. Your membership helps sustain performances, widen access to classical music, create opportunities for children and young people, and support the artists who will carry this musical legacy forward.
In return, you become part of a welcoming community of people who care about music. You receive selected opportunities to come closer to the Orchestra, hear more of what happens behind the scenes and share cultural experiences with fellow supporters.
You do not need to be a musical expert or a major donor. Friends membership is simply a meaningful way to stay connected, enjoy the music and help ensure it continues to be performed, shared and discovered.
Choose Your Friends Membership
Individual Friend
For one named member. £10 per month or £120 per year.
Join the ECO community as one named member. Choose a monthly recurring membership or pay annually for 12 months of membership and selected Friends benefits.
Joint Friends
For two named members. Each named member receives the full Friends benefits individually. £15 per month or £180 per year.
Join with a partner, relative or friend. Joint Friends membership covers two named members, and each named member receives the full Friends benefits individually while enjoying the membership experience together.
Friends Membership Benefits
Priority booking
Up to seven days of priority booking before general sale for eligible ECO concerts.
Cultural community
Access to selected networking, supporter and cultural gatherings.
Annual reception
An invitation to at least one annual Friends reception.
Members-only updates
Regular Friends updates with selected news, internal insight and opportunities to stay connected.
Ticket discount
10% off up to two tickets per eligible concert per named member, subject to availability.
Complimentary ticket
One complimentary ticket per membership year per named member for a selected eligible ECO concert.
Selected rehearsals
Invitations to selected rehearsal events during the membership year, subject to ECO schedule, venue capacity and availability.
How Benefits Work
- “Eligible ECO concerts” means performances produced by the ECO or presented through a partnership in which the ECO controls or jointly controls the relevant ticket allocation and benefits.
- Benefits do not normally apply when the ECO is hired by an independent promoter, venue, festival, broadcaster or private client and does not control ticketing.
- Priority-booking periods may be shorter than seven days where schedules or third-party systems require it.
- The 10% discount applies to up to two tickets per eligible concert per named member.
- The complimentary ticket is one ticket per membership year per named member and applies to a concert selected or approved by the ECO.
- Reception, rehearsal and gathering invitations are subject to availability, venue capacity, safeguarding, artist schedules and event-specific conditions.
- Benefits have no cash alternative and may be replaced with a reasonable equivalent where delivery becomes impossible.
- International members may join, but in-person benefits are generally delivered in the United Kingdom unless otherwise stated.
Join Friends of the ECO
Choose Individual or Joint Friends membership, then select monthly or annual payment. Individual Friends covers one named member. Joint Friends covers two named members, and each named member receives the full Friends benefits individually, making it easier for partners, relatives or friends to enjoy concerts, rehearsals, receptions and ECO experiences together.
Give Friends Membership as a Gift
Share the Experience of Membership
Give an Individual or Joint Friends membership to someone who loves classical music and would enjoy becoming part of the ECO community.
Gift membership is annual payment only at launch. The purchaser pays once, the recipient receives 12 months of membership, and the membership can begin immediately or on the chosen future start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Individual and Joint Friends membership?
Individual Friends membership is for one named person. Joint Friends membership covers two named people, and each named member receives the full Friends benefits individually. The reduced combined price is designed for partners, relatives or friends who want to attend and enjoy ECO membership together.
Can I pay monthly or annually?
Yes. Monthly membership is paid through a recurring Stripe card payment. Annual membership is paid in one payment and covers 12 months.
Does my membership renew automatically?
Monthly membership continues until cancelled. Annual membership does not automatically renew at launch; you will receive renewal information before it expires.
Which concerts qualify for priority booking and discounts?
Benefits apply only to eligible concerts where the ECO controls or jointly controls ticketing and member allocations. They normally do not apply when the ECO is hired by an independent third party.
Can I join from outside the UK?
Yes. International supporters can join, but most in-person benefits are delivered in the United Kingdom unless otherwise stated.
Can I give membership as a gift?
Yes. Annual Individual or Joint Friends membership can be purchased as a gift using the approved gift-membership route.
Can I cancel a monthly membership?
Yes. Please use the Membership Help form for cancellation assistance. Cancellation stops future recurring payments but does not normally refund membership already received.
Does Gift Aid apply to Friends membership?
Friends membership is not currently presented as Gift Aid eligible. A separate qualifying donation may be made through the Donate page.
When do my benefits begin?
Membership begins after successful payment. Eligible booking, ticket and event benefits are communicated through the Friends updates and relevant event invitations.
Need Help Joining?
For help choosing Individual or Joint membership, completing the form, arranging a gift membership or understanding the benefits, please complete the short Membership Help form below.
The purpose of this form is to start the conversation and make sure your enquiry is recorded securely in the ECO supporter system. The appropriate member of the ECO team will then follow up with you.