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
COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE
The WPO is very pleased to announce the appointment of Ansel Chaloner-Hughes as its new Composer-in-Residence, from the 2024-25 season.
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Ansel will work alongside the WPO by creating new works for the orchestra and its associated ensembles, which will be explored in workshops and rehearsals throughout the season, culminating in concert performances.
Ansel Chaloner-Hughes, WPO Composer-in-Residence.
Photo © Ansel Chaloner-Hughes
WPO Composer-in-Residence, Ansel Chaloner-Hughes​
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Ansel is an 18-year-old composer and pianist based between Worthing and North Wales, currently mentored by composer Sally Beamish OBE ahead of beginning his undergraduate studies as a scholar at the Royal College of Music in London. He holds the position of Composer in Residence with both the Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lancing Chamber Orchestra, writing regularly for these ensembles alongside commissions for performers and groups across Sussex and beyond.
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Forthcoming projects include a solo viola work for Sally Beamish, a Bassoon Concerto to be premiered in 2026 by Ian Glen and the Musicians of All Saints, and further substantial works for both WPO and LCO.
Ansel’s music draws influence from composers such as Prokofiev, Hindemith, Malcolm Arnold, and John McCabe, alongside inspiration from nature, literature, and the visual arts. An accomplished pianist, he will give a 50-minute recital of 20th- and 21st-century British piano music at Christchurch, Worthing, in 2026. He is particularly keen to promote the work of neglected composers and, in his own music, aims to combine the familiar with the novel.
He previously studied piano and composition at the Junior Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (2020–2024), under the tutelage of Rebeca Omordia and Geoff Hanan respectively.
Our inaugural Composer-in-Residence, appointed in 2017, was James Olsen. Already a prize-winning, established composer, James held the position for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons and wrote a number of short works and arrangements for the orchestra, culminating in a large-scale commission in celebration of the WPO's 70th anniversary. You can read more about this composition, scored for two SATB choirs, children's choir and large orchestra, HERE. James also ran educational workshops and fundraising initiatives, and was frequently featured in the local press and on local radio.
James Olsen with the WPO in 2018. Photo © Olsen Verlag Ltd.
Kai Vollprecht, WPO Composer-in-Residence, 2022-2024.
Photo © Kai Vollprecht Media
Our second Composer-in-Residence, appointed in 2022, was
Kai Vollprecht.
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Also a cellist and percussionist, Kai studied for 14 years at conservatoire in Germany, before taking a BA (Hons) in Music at the University of Sussex in the UK. This allowed him to explore composition for orchestra and sound design, as well as to develop his passion and sensitivity for the audio-visual.
During his studies he was awarded the Sir Thomas Beecham Scholarship Award for skills as an outstanding instrumentalist, outstanding academic work and contribution to music in general. In 2022 he graduated with a first class degree alongside a prize for outstanding achievement.
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More recently, he released his own podcast show, "Music & Media" - a platform for conversations with composers, filmmakers and a variety of artists.
To find out more, visit www.kaivollprechtmedia.com
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