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
CONDUCTORS
Conductors
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Associate Guest Conductor- Roland Melia
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Roland Melia began his wide-ranging career as a cellist playing with National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, English National Opera, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia, City of London Sinfonia. and the contemporary ensemble Lontano.
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Following studies with David Robertson and Ilya Musin he conducted orchestras in Britain such as Bournemouth Sinfonietta, Britten Sinfonia and Royal Ballet. Abroad he worked with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland and St Petersburg Philharmonic as well as Symphony Orchestras in Portugal, Mexico and Chile.
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Melia has been the Artistic Director of Leicester Symphony Orchestra and Cyprus Symphony Orchestra.
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Roland is currently Music Director of White Horse Opera and Hereford Symphony Orchestras and has most recently guested with Salisbury Sinfonia and Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra.
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He has worked in CD production, composed music for theatre and documentary film and delivered creative workshops to groups of students. He has worked in promotion for Pharos Arts Foundation in Cyprus and Cegin Productions in UK for which he is currently Artistic Director.
He teaches conducting technique to all ages having been Professor of Conducting at the Arte Music Academy in Nicosia, Cyprus2008-2012. In the summer of 2017 he was the conducting coach on the Pro Corda Intermediate and Senior Courses. He has students at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Assistant Conductor - Peter Lewis
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Peter Lewis comes from Liverpool and began his orchestral career as a member of the Merseyside Youth Orchestra playing in the horn section with Simon Rattle as a member of the percussion section. After completing his studies in organ and horn at the Royal Manchester College of Music he became a peripatetic brass teacher in Edinburgh independent schools. As a member of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra he appeared in the BBC Promenade Concerts in London and at the Edinburgh Festival working with conductors such as John Barbirolli, Adrian Boult, Benjamin Britten and Michael Tippett. In 1970 he was appointed principal horn of the SABC Symphony Orchestra in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he stayed for three years.
On his return to the UK Peter Lewis taught music in Yorkshire and from 1977 until his retirement in 2004 he was Director of Music at Lancing College during which time he conducted bands, orchestras and directed musical productions. In 1992 he undertook a one year teaching exchange to Melbourne, Australia, and following his retirement, he was appointed temporary Director of Music at Aiglon College in the Swiss Alps. Peter deputises as an organist in local churches and has been a member of the Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra since 1978.
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Chorus Master — Aedan Kerney MBE
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Aedan has taught music since moving to Sussex from Worcester in 1968. In leading music at Boundstone Community College in Lancing for forty-one years he developed a rich experience in directing school groups and has welcomed the opportunity to work with many groups in the community since “retiring” in 2009.
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He established The Boundstone Chorus in 1982, has been the Musical Director of the Worthing Choral Society since 2009 and has led the music at St Michael and All Angels, Lancing since 1974 . He regularly leads singing days.
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As a composer he has responded to the performing needs of both groups and individuals. To Harvest the Dream, a community-based musical co-written by Aedan and drama teacher Tom Brown, was premiered in the Brighton Festival and his Song of the Seasons has been performed in both Worthing and Lancing. His most recent community musical Catherine of Eyam was performed in 2017.
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As a teacher he was passionately committed to finding ways of engaging children more deeply in their learning and explored ways in which performing and composing music can link creativity across the curriculum. This work has involved him in collaborative projects with New Zealand-born composer Dorothy Ker, Cuban-born conductor Odaline de la Martinez, Oxford University mathematician Professor Marcus de Sautoy and Sussex University life-scientist Professor Sue Hartley.
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In 2004 he won the Lifetime Achievement Teaching Award for the South East of England and was made MBE for services to education.
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