A Century Of Sound

"Running a professional orchestra is an expensive business" says John Gibbons, WSO Music Director. Box office income falls well short of covering the total cost of running a professional orchestra with its associated expenditure on such items as advertising, insurance, players, music hire and soloist fees. Formerly a Municipal Orchestra, WSO is now a registered charity in its own right with greatly reduced public funding. It therefore relies on the support of benefactors and the fundraising efforts of Worthing Symphony Society (WSS).

Worthing Symphony Society exists to support WSO and provide a focus for like-minded classical music lovers in the area. Through donations and memberships, WSS helps fund concerts throughout the season and provides its members with an array of benefits, including reduced ticket rates, priority booking, earliest choices of seat, newsletters, opportunities to attend rehearsals and meet the orchestra, social events and, of course, opportunities to meet like-minded music lovers.

Your support will help bring some of the best classical music to West Sussex, offer outstanding young musicians a concert opportunity, as well as helping to ensure Worthing remains a vibrant cultural town. In 2026 WSO will celebrate its centenary and WSS is committed to ensuring it reaches this landmark birthday!

There are several ways in which you can help to secure the future of the Orchestra—you can become a Member or a Patron of the Society, join the ‘Conductor’s Circle’, sponsor an orchestra chair or even an entire concert, for example to celebrate a special occasion.