The Category Dorchester is a subset of Dorset.

'Local charity (CIO) which aims to enhance musical education in Dorchester and beyond. It coordinates instrumental tuition across the Dorchester Pyramid, which comprises of 13 first schools, 3 middle schools, 1 upper school and 1 free school ... it provides a range of musical ensembles open to all local children under the age of 19, and organises regular concerts. It also offers curriculum support for the schools in the pyramid. Our aim is to give young people across the Dorchester area and beyond, first class, inspirational music making opportunities ... All money that we raise (through concerts, events, sponsorship etc) goes straight into specific projects within our schools or the local area.'

Typically seven recitals September - April. ALERT Museum closed until 2020; events held elsewhere in Dorchester.

Founded 1943: ‘Performs three to four concerts per year, with a diverse, exciting repertoire of classic and contemporary choral music ...  We are always pleased to encourage new members. There are no auditions – and no pre-qualification requirements. We support and encourage all levels of experience. Simply turn up at one of our Tuesday night rehearsals ... You will be made very welcome.’

‘Formed during the Second World War in 1942 by a group of Air Raid Wardens in their off duty hours ... We are a really social bunch of keen amateur male singers who enjoy what we do: singing that is. The Concerts that we put on are mainly for charities in the local area of Dorset.’

‘A large, welcoming, enthusiastic and sociable choir ... working under the guidance and leadership of an excellent and experienced conductor ... singing a wide range of music, including classic Requiems and Masses, but much, much more ... Dorchester Choral Society is proud of its outreach work, where we take free concerts to outlying rural villages to find audiences who might otherwise not be able to attend a live concert. These are very popular and well attended. We also take carol concerts to outlying churches and to the local Hospice, General Hospital, and formerly to HM Prison Dorchester. These works are supported by the District Council and the Town Council.‘

‘Based in Dorchester, our players are drawn from all parts of Dorset, and beyond. We offer high quality performances of a wide range of classical music in a part of the County not regularly visited by full time professional orchestras. One of the orchestra’s main aims, championed by our founder and Music Director Emeritus Robert Jacoby, has always been to support the careers of young professional soloists. We have been privileged to provide a concerto platform for more than 80 young musicians over the past 30 years, some of whom are pursuing distinguished professional careers ...’

'We are a community band rather than a contesting band so our numbers are not limited.  The band rehearses on Friday evening from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm and Tuesday afternoon from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. We also have training groups which meet on Friday evening between 6:00 and 7:15 pm.  Beginners and lapsed players receive free tuition from experienced members. All ages from 8 years upwards are welcome. There are some instruments available to borrow.  We are not sponsored so all running costs are paid from engagment fees, subscriptions and donations.'

‘Founded with the principal aim of singing the music of our founder, Rick Birley. The Occasional Singers’ first performance was in Milton Abbey on Wednesday 21st December 1994 ... The choir has sung many of Rick Birley’s compositions over the years, but also sings a wide variety of music, sacred and secular, covering many styles and spanning many centuries. The Occasional Singers usually sing a cappella, but also work with other musicians – individual soloists, instrumental ensembles and organists.‘

‘Bringing the best of the arts to the county town. We programme about 200 events a year and aim to appeal to all sorts of people ... The shows take place mainly in our home venue, Dorchester Corn Exchange, but also outdoors in Maumbury Rings or in one of the many beautiful churches, barns or event venues in and around Dorchester ... We also support Dorchestra, the local community orchestra, where anyone who wants to pick up an instrument (perhaps after a long lay-off or as a beginner) can join in a joyful celebration of music.’

'Music in St Mary's has for many years been an important part of the Dorchester and wider District scene. The excellence of the acoustic and the beauty of the architecture, itself a late example of the arts and crafts movement, are a good starting point. The welcoming attitude of the church to all musical groups has helped to make St Mary's the premier choice for large and smaller scale performances,'