Who are the Friends of Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra?
Any person or organisation who wishes to show their support of the Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra can become a Friend. Many of our Friends have supported us over many years, and their continuing contribution is particularly appreciated.
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Why become a Friend?
Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra is self-funding through membership subscriptions, concert income and support from the Friends. We do not receive any support from local authorities. Support from the Friends is therefore vital in enabling us to perform classical music to a high standard.
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Benefits
A WPO Friend receives the following benefits:
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Newsletters and information updates from the Orchestra
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The option of being named in the concert programmes as a Friend
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£1 discount on a single ticket for each concert when purchased at the Box Office
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Invitations to occasional special functions
How do I become a Friend?
Membership of the Friends is an annually renewable subscription for the October-June concert season.
The suggested contribution is £20 for an individual, a couple or a household, or £40 for a business or commercial enterprise. However, we welcome any contribution from Friends, and these amounts are for guidance only.
Download a membership form here.
​
Who are the Friends of Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra?
Any person or organisation who wishes to show their support of the Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra can become a Friend. Many of our Friends have supported us over many years, and their continuing contribution is particularly appreciated.
​
Why become a Friend?
Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra is self-funding through membership subscriptions, concert income and support from the Friends. We do not receive any support from local authorities. Support from the Friends is therefore vital in enabling us to perform classical music to a high standard.
​
Benefits
A WPO Friend receives the following benefits:
-
Newsletters and information updates from the Orchestra
-
The option of being named in the concert programmes as a Friend
-
£1 discount on a single ticket for each concert when purchased at the Box Office
-
Invitations to occasional special functions
How do I become a Friend?
Membership of the Friends is an annually renewable subscription for the October-June concert season.
The suggested contribution is £20 for an individual, a couple or a household, or £40 for a business or commercial enterprise. However, we welcome any contribution from Friends, and these amounts are for guidance only.
Download a membership form here.
​
High quality music making since 1948
Founder Music Director Herbert Lodge
President Alissa Firsova
Music Director Dominic Grier
Assistant Conductor Peter Lewis
Composer in Residence Ansel Chaloner-Hughes
Chorus Master Aedan Kerney MBE
ABOUT US

The Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra makes a unique contribution to the musical life of the region. We have a season of at least five concerts per year, including a hugely popular Christmas Concert. All are performed in the stunning acoustics of the Grade II-listed 'Art Deco' Worthing Assembly Hall.
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Our members come from across the south coast area and include professional and semi-professional musicians, university and college students, peripatetic teachers and keen local amateur musicians. With a full strength membership of over 75 musicians we are able to cover a wide repertoire, including major Classical and Romantic symphonies and concerti, as well as large-scale 20th Century orchestral works and choral works.
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As well as collaborating with major international soloists, the Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra is particularly proud to provide a platform for 'rising star' young soloists and composers. We have well-established links to the Munster Trust, Worthing Music and Arts Festival, the Worthing Choral Society, the Boundstone Chorus and local school choirs. The musical development of our excellent local musicians is helped by frequent 'repertoire reading' rehearsals. These can also provide opportunities for 'up-and-coming' soloists to rehearse new material and prepare for concerts.
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The Worthing Philharmonic is also proud of its partnerships with the prestigious 'Tonmeister' sound recording course at the University of Surrey, and with the sound recording course at Northbrook Metropolitan College in Worthing, providing an opportunity for the sound engineers of the future to record a full symphony orchestra.
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In addition to its regular activities, the Worthing Philharmonic collaborates frequently with other concert promoters, and individuals, for special projects. In recent years, these have included a large outdoor concert of film music in Worthing's Steyne Gardens, as part of the town's 2022 Platinum Jubilee celebrations, in partnership with Soundscape Events; a one-off hire by a professional composer to try out the orchestration of a new piano concerto; and a staged concert performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'The Mikado' in collaboration with the Merry Opera Company.
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We are a community orchestra united by the principle of producing fantastic musical performances for all. A sign of the orchestra's success is that it thrives without the financial support of the Borough, and has established itself as a self-governing charity, truly dedicated to the musical well-being of the community.
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The current Music Director, Dominic Grier, was appointed in 2014, and since then the orchestra has gone from strength to strength under his musical guidance and innovation.