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.
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
Associate Guest Conductor Roland Melia
Assistant Conductor Peter Lewis
Chorus Master Aedan Kerney MBE
RITA FRENCH
WPO LEADER
Leader - Rita French
Rita needs very little introduction in Worthing as she has been part of the local music scene for many years, leading the Worthing Philharmonic since 1982. She also co-leads Southern Pro-Musica. the south's leading professional chamber orchestra, conducted by Jonathan Willcocks, and leads a series of annual children's concerts in Guildford, Chichester, Southampton and Petersfield.
Rita enjoys all aspects of music making, combining a busy orchestral schedule with solo, recital work and chamber music.
Rita has toured Spain and France with a London based chamber ensemble and she leads the Sussex Camerata, described as one of the finest chamber groups in the South of England, who regularly perform in London and the South East. She has featured as soloist in many of the great concertos, including Max Bruch's Scottish Fantasy and the famous G minor; Beethoven; Dvorak; Glazunov and Prokofiev plus the Brahms Double and Beethoven Triple Concertos.
Her career has included teaching at an advanced level and she has many former students playing and teaching professionally all over the world.
UPDATE — Wednesday 9th June 2021
Rita will be retiring at the end of the 2020-21 season, after nearly 40 years in the role and an association with the orchestra going back to the 1960s.
The WPO is currently in the process of appointing a new professional leader, for the start of the 2022-23 season.