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
CHOIRS
Choirs
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The Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra collaborates frequently with our three regular partner choirs, among other groups, often mounting performances of large-scale choral works or concert versions of famous operas.
WORTHING CHORAL SOCIETY
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The Worthing Choral Society recently celebrated its 20th Anniversary and during these years has performed the very best of the choral repertoire in the local community, most often at Worthing’s Assembly Hall.
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Memorable recent performances have included Vivaldi’s Gloria, Bach’s Mass in B Minor and St Matthew Passion, Handel’s Messiah, Mozart’s Requiem and Coronation Mass, Haydn’s Nelson Mass, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Brahms’ A German Requiem, Verdi’s Requiem, Faure’s Requiem and Goodall’s Eternal Light. In 2013 the choir commissioned Cecilia McDowall to compose A Winter’s Night and performed its world premiere at St George’s Church in Worthing on 14th November 2014.
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The choir, a mixed-voice chorus of around 80 singers, usually performs three or four major concerts per season, in addition to its frequent collaborations with the Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra. It has been directed with distinction since 2009 by Aedan Kerney MBE, whose predecessors in the role were Adrian Bawtree (2004-2009) and its founder-conductor, Ben Costello (1997-2004). The choir was originally an amalgam of the Worthing Philharmonic Choir and the Sixth Form College Festival Choir, both of which disbanded in 1997. It's Associate Music Director, since 2019, is Sam Barton.
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THE BOUNDSTONE CHORUS
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For more than thirty-five years The Boundstone Chorus has had a place at the heart of its community, inspired by the twin educational ideals of inclusion and excellence. Originally part of West Sussex’s Adult Education programme it is now an independent charity.
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During these years there have been wonderful performances of large- scale works including Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius, Faure’s Requiem, Karl Jenkins’ The Peacemakers, Goodall’s Eternal Light and L’Estrange’s Zimbe! Come, sing the songs of Africa. Their 'Christmas Celebration', performed each year on the final Saturday before Christmas, always draws capacity audiences.
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They have worked with the Sir Robert Woodard Academy, Sompting Village Primary School and musicians from both Hungary and Russia, and they have collaborated with the Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra for over 20 years.
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Musical Director: Aedan Kerney
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SOMPTING VILLAGE PRIMARY SCHOOL CHOIR
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It is through Aedan Kerney (a close friend of the school, a great advocate for musical experiences and through whom the choir has have experienced numerous exciting and spiritual music opportunities over the years) that Sompting Village Primary School Choir made its allegiance with Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra and its associated adult choir friends.
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The 90-strong choir is a very busy one. Locally, it gains great pleasure from contributing to the nearby community, through performances at fund-raising events, local festivals and celebrations, in conjunction with The Sir Robert Woodard Academy and in concerts with Aedan Kerney (including exciting pieces by composers such as Alexander L’Estrange).
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In school, the children are always busy at rehearsals and preparing for their next adventure, which often includes in-school concerts for families and friends, including last year’s musical production of Mary Poppins.
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Further afield, the choir has performed in Chichester Cathedral, as part of the Voices for Peace presentation with Emily Barden; has been heard on Radio Sussex; and has even made it as far as the O2 in London, where it participated in a massed-choir event and was lucky enough to be centre-stage when conducted in a range of pieces from folk songs to rock ballads.
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The choir performs regularly at the Worthing Philharmonic's ever-popular annual Christmas Concert, in addition to joining the orchestra for other special events including, most recently, the WPO's 70th Anniversary Concert.
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