Our 2008-2009 season concert programme
Information about the orchestra, the conductor and leader, repertoire and rehearsals
Come and join us! Information about playing in the orchestra
Find out about the Friends of Dorking Philharmonia, and about chair sponsorship
Click here to join our e-mail news list Click here to find out about our workshop days

Next Concert...

2008-2009 Season

Most concerts take place in St. Martin's Church, Dorking and start at 7.30pm.

Tickets are normally available on the door, in advance from DAPA Music and Dance, 38 South Street, Dorking, or from our Box Office on 01306 730640. Unless otherwise stated these are priced £10 (£8 OAP, £6 full time students with ID, £5 for under 12s).

Click here for a printable version.

Saturday 29th November 2008

Brahms: Academic Festival Overture
Vaughan Williams: The Lark Ascending
Soloist: Alex Postlethwaite
Reinecke: Flute Concerto
Soloist: Marie Penny
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 4
Elgar: Enigma Variations

Marie Penny Alex Postlethwaite

Sunday 14th December 2008

Programme to be announced
This is a concert at the Riddell Hall in Walton-on-the-Hill, different ticket prices will apply.

Saturday 21st March 2009

Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture
Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Soloist: Toby Tramaseur
Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 Italian

Saturday 20th June 2009

Khachaturian: Masquerade Suite
Strauss: Horn Concerto
Soloist: Richard Lewis
Brahms: Symphony No. 2

In the event of unforseen circumstances, it may be necessary to make changes to concert details.

E-mail list

If you wish to join our e-mailing list please e-mail enquiries@dorkingphilharmonia.org.uk.

Important Information

Dorking Philharmonia is a member of The National Federation of Music Societies and is a registered Charity no. 1081961.

We welcome enquiries about the orchestra, these can be emailed to enquiries@dorkingphilharmonia.org.uk.

Enquiries about the website should be emailed to webmaster@dorkingphilharmonia.org.uk

All site content is © Dorking Philharmonia 2008, with the exception of third party logos and photographs.

Orchestra Downloads

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String sectional hints and tips

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Where to find us

Click on the links below to display on the map.

Concerts are held at:

  • St. Martin's Church, Church Street, Dorking, RH4 1DW
  • Riddell Memorial Hall, Walton-on-the-Hill, KT20 7UA
  • Rehearsals are held at:

  • St. Martin's Christian Centre, Church Street, Dorking, RH4 1DW
  • St. Martin's School, Ranmore Road, Dorking, RH4 1HW
  • Workshop Days are held at:

  • The Ashcombe School, Ashcombe Road, Dorking, RH4 1LY
  • Dorking Philharmonia

    Dorking Philharmonia June 2005
    Founded in 1999, Dorking Philharmonia is an ensemble of enthusiastic amateur musicians from around Surrey, London and Sussex who perform a diverse repertoire of classical music. The orchestra is lead by Alex Postlethwaite and directed by Jonathan Regan, with its musical activity centred in Dorking, a market town in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

    In the few short years since its inception it has achieved the world premier of Jesse Durkan's work Concerquarto for 4 Horns in 2003, a reciprocated exchange with the Universiteitorkest Maastricht (with Dorking Philharmonia performing in Maastricht in 2002 and the University Orchestra performing in Dorking in 2003) and regularly well attended concerts in the centre of Dorking. It is hoped to build on these achievements, and especially to develop relations with our friends in Maastricht through further exchanges.

    Dorking Philharmonia is a fast growing orchestra, but it maintains the friendly atmosphere amongst its members that was the intention of the founder, Chris Hammond, as well as aiming for high standards of musical performance. We are very committed to providing educational opportunities via links with local schools, including having local schoolchildren perform in our concerts.

    Dorking Philharmonia is a member of Making Music, The National Federation of Music Societies.

    7.30pm at St. Martins Church, Church Street, Dorking RH4 1DW.
    Unless otherwise stated, ticket prices are £10 (£8 OAP, £6 full time students with ID, £5 under 12s) available on the door.
    For places to eat, drink and stay in Dorking please see visitdorking.com (click here). Click here for a map.

    Come and play in the orchestra...

    Joining Dorking Philharmonia couldn't be easier. We hold no formal auditions but invite potential new players to come along for a few rehearsals to meet the members of the orchestra.

    The orchestra rehearses on Wednesday evenings in the centre of Dorking during term time, and our rehearsal location is close to car parking and the Dorking railway stations.

    Rehearsals have a fun, friendly atmosphere, and our membership ranges from all age ranges and many walks of life. Members can also get involved in the running of the orchestra to whatever extent they wish.

    Most importantly, there are frequent social events including post-rehearsal pub trips or meals. There are also opportunities for members of the orchestra to play in smaller ensembles, either at the Friends Concert or representing the orchestra at local events.

    In common with other amateur orchestras our vacancies generally occur on the string and brass sections, but wind vacancies do arise so please contact us to find out the latest information. We look forward to meeting you.

    Friends of Dorking Philharmonia

    Would you like to give Dorking Philharmonia your valuable support by becoming a ‘Friend of Dorking Philharmonia’?

    For a small annual membership fee you receive:

    Current Friends of Dorking Philharmonia

    Carol Ashburner
    Christopher and Frances Clementi
    Mr and Mrs Daruwalla
    Mr R.A. Edmondson
    Mr Gerald and Mrs Janet Hall
    Roger and Andrea Hall
    Mr and Mrs L Penny
    § Dr and Mrs B J Regan
    Mr N Roper
    Mrs M A Slade
    Sarah and John Winter
    Kelly Young

    For further information on the Friends of Dorking Philharmonia please contact us.

    Chair Sponsorship

    The Conductor is sponsored by Aileen and Bernie Regan.
    The Leader's chair is sponsored by an anonymous donor.
    The Principal Flute chair is sponsored in memory of Mary Hammond.
    The Second Oboe chair is sponsored by Roger and Andrea Hall.
    The Principal Clarinet chair is sponsored in memory of Peter Wadey

    Sponsorship is a wonderful way to support the orchestra. The Orchestra would welcome any offers of sponsorship, perhaps for the performance of a particular work, or for printing of the concert programme. For more information please contact us.

    We are very grateful for the contributions made in many different ways by all our supporters.

    Jonathan Regan - Conductor and Musical Director

    Jonathan Regan - Conductor and Musical Director Jonathan Regan has conducted Dorking Philharmonia since its formation in 1999. He studied postgraduate conducting with Peter Stark at Trinity College of Music, where he participated in master classes with Jorma Panula and Sir Colin Davis. Since then he has studied with Gerry Cornelius, with George Hurst at Canford Summer School of Music and with Denise Ham at Wickham Conducting Course. In 2007 he was invited to participate in a master class with George Hurst at the Royal Academy of Music.

    Jonathan began conducting whilst studying for a music degree at Exeter University, where as a violinist he led the University Symphony Orchestra. In 1998 he became assistant conductor to the University Sinfonietta and took the orchestra on tour to France and Belgium.

    Pluck In 2002 he trained as a classroom music teacher in London but soon after completing this course he joined forces with violinist Adrian Garratt and cellist Sian  Kadifachi to form the comedy-oriented string trio Pluck. The group has won awards at festivals in Edinburgh and Adelaide and toured their theatre show to America, Asia, Australia, Europe and even a shopping centre in Dubai. UK touring dates are always available on their website www.pluck.me.uk

    Alex Postlethwaite - Leader

    Alex Postlethwaite - Leader Alex Postlethwaite is a freelance violinist based in SW London. He is in demand as orchestral leader, chamber musician, soloist and recording artist having worked with many top chart acts including the Divine Comedy and Kinobe, whose recent hit was featured on the Kronenbourg advert.

    Celebrating Vaughan Williams' association with Dorking recently, appearances included The Lark Ascending and a rare performance of his song cycle Ons Wenlock's Edge for string quartet, piano and tenor, together with the String Quartet no. 1 with the Alexandrias Ensemble. Other performances by his Ensemble included Martinu's Piano Trio, John McCabe Musica Notturna, and Schnittke's Moz-Art.

    Alex also leads the Blaze Ensemble who regularly put on chamber concerts at St James' Piccadilly; recent concerts included Beethoven's Septet and Schoenberg's Chamber Symphony. Hobbies include studying for an Open University degree in Natural Sciences and watching Manchester United!

    Previous Concert Repertoire

    All concerts conducted by Jonathan Regan unless otherwise indicated.

    14th June 2008
    Beethoven: 'Fidelio' Overture
    Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto
    Soloist: Oliver Nelson
    Sibelius: Symphony No. 2

    Oliver Nelson

    8th March 2008
    Suppe: Light Cavalry Overture
    Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2
    Soloist: Otis Beasley
    Dvorak: Symphony No. 6
    Conducted by Andrew Gourlay

    Andrew Gourlay

    9th December 2007
    Mozart: Clarinet Concerto
    Soloist: Susan Looseley
    Beethoven: Symphony No. 2
    plus seasonal works. This was performed at the Riddell Hall in Walton-on-the-Hill.
    1st December 2007
    Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 'Classical Symphony'
    Mozart: Clarinet Concerto
    Soloist: Susan Looseley
    Beethoven: Symphony No. 2
    23rd June 2007
    Haydn: Symphony No. 104 'London'
    Schumann: Symphony No. 3 'Rhenish'
    Elgar: Froissart Overture Op. 19
    Conducted by David McQueen
    3rd March 2007
    Prokofiev: Overture on Jewish Themes
    Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 24 (K491)
    Piano Soloist Aleksander Szram
    Brahms: Symphony No. 1

    Aleksander Szram

    10th December 2006
    Mozart: Marriage of Figaro overture
    Strauss: Wind Serenade
    Schubert: Symphony No. 4
    Schnittke: Piece for solo violin and piano
    Mozart: Flute Concerto No.1 in G major
    Various seasonal pieces
    This was performed at the Riddell Hall in Walton-on-the-Hill.
    Flute soloist: Marie Penny.
    Violin soloist: Alex Postlethwaite.
    25th November 2006
    Borodin: Polotsvian Dances
    Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol
    Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4
    1st July 2006
    Duruflé: Requiem
    Duruflé: Four Motets
    Poulenc: Sinfonietta
    Saint-Saëns: Danse Macabre
    Conducted by Justin Doyle (Requiem) and Jonathan Regan (all other pieces)
    18th March 2006
    Offenbach: Les Fées du Rhin overture
    Kodály: Dances of Galanta
    Cimarosa: Concerto for Two Flutes
    Brahms: Symphony No. 3
    Conductor: Nicholas Jenkins
    Flute soloists: Marie Penny and Chris Hammond

    Nicholas Jenkins - Conductor Marie Penny - Flute Soloist Chris Hammond - Flute Soloist

    26th November 2005
    Faure: Masques et Bergamasques
    Strauss: Concerto for Oboe
    Debussy: Prélude à l’aprè-midi d’un Faune
    Schubert: Symphony No. 4 ‘Tragic’
    Oboe soloist: Elizabeth Couling -
    Woodwind section winner BBC Young Musician 2000

    Elizabeth Couling - Oboe soloist

    18th June 2005
    Rossini: Barber of Seville Overture
    Schumann: Overture, Scherzo and Finale
    Vaughan-Williams: Concerto for Tuba
    Beethoven: Symphony no. 3 'Eroica'
    Tuba soloist: Guy Button
    Sunday 24th April 2005
    Mozart: Haffner Symphony
    Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
    Dvorak: Romance for Solo Violin
    Rodgers and Hammerstein: Suites from "The Sound of Music" and "My Fair Lady"
    Beethoven: Prometheus Overture
    This was performed at the Riddell Hall in Walton-on-the-Hill.
    Violin soloist: Alex Postlethwaite.
    12th March 2005
    Mozart: "Haffner" Symphony
    Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
    Brahms: Concerto for violin and cello
    Beethoven: Prometheus Overture
    Soloists:
    Takane Funatsu (violin)
    Nicola Baxter (cello)
    27th November 2004
    Rimsky-Korsakov: Sheherazade
    Tchaikovsky: 6th Symphony
    19th June 2004
    An Opera and Ballet Gala
    Prokofiev: Montagues and Capulets from "Romeo and Juliet"
    Ravel: Mother Goose Suite
    Tchaikovsky: Fantasy Overture from "Romeo and Juliet"
    Mozart: Voi che Sapete from "Marriage of Figaro"
    Bizet: Habanera from "Carmen"
    Wagner: O du mein Holder from "Tannhauser"
    Mozart: La Vendetta from "Marriage of Figaro"
    Offenbach: O Belle Nuit d'Amour and Barcarolle from "Tales of Hoffmann"
    Delibes: Flower Duet and Sous le dome epais from "Lakme"
    Verdi: Di Provenza from "La Traviata"
    Mozart: Soave s'il vento from "Cosi fan tutte"
    Offenbach: Overture from "Orpheus and the Underworld"
    Soloists:
    Gordana Kostic (soprano)
    Christine Kinsella (mezzo soprano)
    Lawrence Broomfield (baritone)

    27th March 2004
    Concert commemorating the 100th anniversary of Dvorak's death:
    Symphonic Dances (op 46/72)
    Cello Concerto
    Cello soloist: David Kadumakasa Symphony No. 8 in G major Op. 88
    Rehearsals for this concert were taken by Jonathan Regan and David McQueen
    Concert conducted by Iain Hellen
    29th November 2003
    Mozart: Overture "Marriage of Figaro"
    Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor
    Violin soloist: John Crawford
    Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A Op. 92
    31st May 2003
    Joint concert with Universiteitsorkest Maastricht at St. Martin's Church, Dorking.
    Universiteitsorkest Maastricht (cond. Peter Serpenti):
    Mendelssohn: Hebrides
    Piet Kingma: Poëme Symphonique
    Dorking Philharmonia (cond. Jonathan Regan):
    Walton: Crown Imperial March
    Joint orchestra (cond. Jonathan Regan):
    Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 in E minor 'From the New World'
    22nd March 2003
    Mozart: Overture, Magic Flute
    Mendelssohn: Nocturne from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
    Jesse Durkan: Piece for 4 Horns (World Premiere)
    Schubert: Symphony No. 3 in D major (D200)
    Horn Soloists: Richard Lewis, Helen Shillito
    Charlotte Leeke, Jesse Durkan
    30 November 2002
    Mozart: Overture, Don Giovanni, K527
    Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante K297b
    Soloists:
    Oboe: Gregory Froome
    Clarinet: Susan Looseley
    Horn: Jon Aldham (all Dorking Philharmonia players)
    Bassoon: Louise Chapman (guest soloist)

    Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 3 'Scottish'
    29 June 2002
    A Jubilee Celebration
    Mendelssohn: Ruy Blas Overture
    Hummel: Oboe Concerto, Introduction, Theme and Variations
    Brahms: Variations on a Theme of Haydn
    Kashif/Stilgoe: Drop in the Ocean
    Handel arr. Harty: Suite from the Water Music
    Wood: Fantasia on British Sea Songs
    Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March no. 1
    Oboe Soloist: Gregory Froome
    Drop in the Ocean performed by children from Tatsfield Primary School
    and Broadwater Secondary School accompanied by Dorking Philharmonia.
    8 June 2002
    (St. Janskerk, Maastricht)
    Universiteitsorkest Maastricht (cond. Peter Serpenti)
    Andriessen: Ricercare
    Dorking Philharmonia (cond. Jonathan Regan)
    Arnold: Little Suite No. 1
    Handel arr. Harty: Suite from the Water Music
    Joint orchestra (cond. Peter Serpenti)
    Brahms: Symphony no.4
    23 March 2002
    Mozart: Overture La Clemenza di Tito
    Schumann: Concertstück for 4 horns and orchestra
    Brahms: Symphony no.4
    Horn Soloists: Richard Lewis, Helen Shillito
    Charlotte Leeke, Jesse Durkan
    8 December 2001
    Borodin: In the Steppes of Central Asia
    Saint Saens: Cello concerto
    Tchaikovsky: Symphony no.5
    Cellist: Kath Jenkinson
    14 July 2001
    Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture
    Fauré: Pelléas et Melisande
    Gounod: Faust Ballet Suite
    Bizet: Highlights from Carmen
    Mezzo-soprano: Christine Kinsella
    Soprano: Charlotte Ives
    31 March 2001
    Weber: Overture from "Der Freischutz"
    Beethoven: Piano Concerto no 3
    Dvorak: 9th Symphony - "New World"
    Piano Soloist: Ellenlucia Pappalardo
    25 November 2000
    Beethoven: Cariolan overture
    Weber: Concertino for solo clarinet
    Sibelius: Karelia suite
    Wiseman/Black: Millenium Anthem
    Schumann: Symphony no 4
    Tatsfield Primary School Choir
    Clarinet soloist: Susan Looseley

    Supported by Mole Valley Arts Forum
    8 July 2000
    Mendelssohn: Hebrides Overture
    Dvorak: Slavonik Dances
    Beethoven: Symphony no 6
    1 April 2000
    Buxtehude, Lully: Brass Quintets
    Strauss: Serenade for Wind op. 7
    Mozart: Oboe Concerto
    Schubert: Symphony no 8 "Unfinished"
    Arnold: Little Suite
    Oboe soloist: Ben Skipp
    This was the inaugural concert for the orchestra under its new name: Dorking Philharmonia
    19 December 1999
    Beethoven: Egremont overture
    Bird: Suite in D
    Three Pieces for Brass Quintet - arr. Jean-Francois Michel
    Tielman Susato: `Fanfare'
    Pergolesi: `Siciliano'
    Handel: Overture from Water Music
    Mendelssohn: Symphony No 4 in A major, Op 90 (Italian)
    This was our first concert under the name of the Box Hill Symphonia

    Rehearsal Schedule

    Maastricht Exchange

    Encouraged by a member of Dorking Philharmonia who had lived in Maastricht for a number of years, Dorking Philharmonia has recently linked up with the Maastricht University Orchestra for two joint concerts, the first in Maastricht (in The Netherlands) in June 2002, and a further concert in Dorking in May 2003.

    The two orchestras share great similarities - both have very enthusiastic and energetic memberships scanning a wide age range, and of course the shared passion of musical performance. There are also contrasts - the Maastricht University Orchestra has a membership from both the local community and students and staff from the University, and are generally all based in the city. Dorking Philharmonia draws its membership from Surrey, London and Sussex and is based in a much smaller town.

    This has been an exciting and entertaining opportunity to link two orchestras for larger scale works - in Maastricht the combined orchestras performed Brahms' 4th Symphony to a packed audience in St. Jan's Church in the central plaza of the city, and in Dorking St. Martin's Church was filled with the sound of an 80 strong joint orchestra performing Dvorak's New World Symphony. The orchestras also performed smaller works individually, choosing works by British and Dutch composers. On both occasions the visiting orchestra stayed with members of the home orchestra for a long weekend of socialising and rehearsing, generating close ties and friendships.

    Although both legs of the first exchange are now complete contact between the orchestras will be maintained and it is hoped and intended that there will further joint concerts at a mutually agreed date in the not too distant future.

    Orchestra Workshops

    Over the past few years, as part of Mole Valley's Arts Alive October festival, we've run orchestral workshops to rehearse and perform larger scale pieces. These have included Mahler's 1st Symphony, Shostakovich's 10th Symphony, Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra and Vaughan William's London Symphony (no. 2).

    On the 4th October 2009 we are running a workshop on Gustav Holst's Planets Suite in Dorking, which promises to be an interesting and exciting day.

    The workshop will be held at the Ashcombe School in Dorking - click here for a map. Full details can be seen on the application form below, or for more nformation please email workshop@dorkingphilharmonia.org.uk.

    Download Application Details (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

    www.arts-alive.co.uk

    2006 workshop in rehearsal.

    Dorking Philharmonia Timpani

    Two of the timpani set. Dorking Philharmonia is delighted to announce that it owns a set of four timpani (kettle drums) which have been used since the 2005-2006 season.

    The timpani is the most commonly seen percussion in Dorking Philharmonia concerts; in fact it is rare for us not to need them.

    Owning our own set will allow us to have much more flexible use of these; enabling us to more effectively offer opportunities to a range of student and experienced players to perform with the orchestra in the future.

    We are very grateful to the following charitable organisations who supported financially us in purchasing this set:

  • The Foyle Foundation
  • Gatwick Airport Community Trust