SWON began its history of collaboration with other ensembles with a joint concert with Brookland Junior School Wind Band in April 2000.
SWON continued to grow, giving concerts in March and July 1999 which included music from Vaughan Williams, Gershwin, Mozart and more.
SWON was proud to announce that The Lord Colwyn accepted becoming a patron of SWON in April 1999. Just a few months later, the Mayor of Barnet also accepted an invitation to become a patron.
SWON was awarded a much needed £620 grant from Barnet Council to be spent on running costs and orchestral equipment.
SWON’s first concert was a Christmas affair, with pieces including Vaughan Williams – Folk Song Suite, Prokofiev – Spartakiade, Selections from Gershwin, and Memories of Mancini
SWON is founded by Stephen Kersley and its first conductor, Stuart Allen in September 1998. Initial membership was driven by advertising in the local papers.