HISTORY

Westlake Bishop of Hove, East Sussex, founded THE BRIGHTON & HOVE CONCERT ORCHESTRA in 1960. With the closure of the last light orchestra in the neighbouring towns of Brighton and Hove (now the City of Brighton & Hove) there was a need for local musician,s professional and amateur, to play somewhere. The orchestra was formed and had, as it’s primary aim, to bring light music back to the surrounding area. The citizens of Brighton have enjoyed the warmth ot the music created by the orchestra and many charities have benefited from their musical offerings.

 

The Orchestra’s library has grown into a sizeable collection, sadly, due to salvaging the libraries of other now defunct light orchestras over the years. The library has also grown with the addition of special arrangements by its present Musical Director, Michael Lloyd, and a former resident pianist, Harry Norman.

 

In 1984 Westlake Bishop decided to retire and handed over his baton to a well-known music teacher in the area, Richard Herring. Richard at this time was well into his seventies and found conducting and administering the orchestra more than his stamina would allow for so he set about the task of looking for a successor. After a long search he found a willing local replacement and in 1985 handed over his baton to the present Musical Director, Michael Lloyd.

ORCHESTRA

The B&HCO has raised much money for many worthy charities including Three Charities Christmas Appeal at Gatwick Airport, Trevor Mann Baby Unit Appeal, Age Concern, Local Cancer Research Groups and the Brighton & Hove Lions. Concerts are given on a regular basis and include venues such as The Old Market, Hove, Hove Town Hall, Portslade Town Hall, Southwick Old Barn Theatre, Shoreham Centre, Worthing Assembly Rooms Patcham Methodis Church Hall and Saltdean Meridian Centre to mention abut a few. Hidden amongst its ranks is a wealth of competent soloists.

 

The B&HCO rehearses every Tuesday evening from 7.30 – 9.30 pm eleven months of the year (September – July) in All Saints ChurchHall, Church Lane (beside the Black Lion public house), Patcham. This very friendly orchestra welcomes new playersof all standards where vacancies exist. 

Enquiries should be made to Michael Lloyd:
Tel: 01273 778086 or                
e-mail: mike.musicorps@gmail.com

USEFUL CONTACTS

Michael Lloyd: Musical Director - mike.musicorps@gmail.com

Martin Jeffery: Associate Conductor

Trish Jeffery: Acting Leader

Bernard Dombey: Leader 1991 - 2011
IT IS WITH DEEP REGRET THAT OUR BELOVED BERNARD PASSED AWAY SATURDAY 23rd JULY 2011. A STALWART AND CONCIENTOUS MEMBER OF THE ORCHESTRA AND ABOVE ALL A FINE LEADER OF THE ORCHESTRA FOR SOME TWENTY YEARS. HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.

Sue Brough: Treasurer:

SOLOISTS
Soloists within the B&CHO include:

Michael Lloyd: Clarinet, Saxophones

Sue Brough: Clarinet

Lea Khalil: Oboe

Frank Semus: Harmonica, Monologues

Richard Reeves  - Flute

Nick Andrews: Trumpet

Evelyn Harrison - Clarinet & Saxophone (Guest)

LINKED ENSEMBLES

The B&HCO is linked to one other ensemble: 

The Brighton Saxophone Quartet

This ensemble regularly perform with the orchestra.