The Mitcham Orchestra had its beginnings in 1988 when the ABC sponsored Senior Symphony Orchestra was formed to play for the bicentenary celebrations that year. Such was the enthusiasm amongst the players that they decided to continue playing and entertaining in the community. They performed for many years as the Adelaide Metropolitan Orchestra and early in the year 2000 became the Mitcham Orchestra.
Mike Kenny, a former French Horn player in the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, has been conducting and arranging music for the orchestra since its beginnings. An important part of concert scheduling is the fostering of new talent. The Mitcham Orchestra/Mitcham Rotary Club Prize is awarded each year to an outstanding young instrumentalist from the Adelaide Eisteddfod, who is invited to perform with the orchestra. Concerts often feature soloists from both outside and within the ranks of the orchestra. Etiennette Fennell is both a cellist and a wonderful vocalist. She has sung with the orchestra on many occasions, including at the French Festivals.
The orchestra provides a social venue for the musicians who also receive a great deal of pleasure from rehearsing together and improving their musical knowledge and performance skills.
Concerts are given twice a year at the Colonel Light Gardens Uniting Church, 560 Goodwood Rd, Daw Park and the orchestra also performs at many other venues within Mitcham and the metropolitan area.