Southend Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO) began as the ‘Southend on Sea Music Club Orchestra’ in 1945 as part of the Music Club, set up by the late Madam Freda Parry O.B.E.
In 1947 the name was changed to Southend Philharmonic Orchestra. Until 1968 all concerts were held on Sunday afternoons. The tradition of three concerts each year has been continued to the present day.
Stuart Mitchell
March 1945 – October 1967
Following demobilisation Stuart became the Orchestra’s first permanent conductor. He stayed for over 20 years, during which the Sunday afternoon concerts became an established feature of Southend’s musical life.
George Mowatt
December 1967 – May 1970
George had earlier performed with SPO as the soloist in a Mozart piano concerto in 1951 and became a regular member of the Orchestra both as a player – double bass and percussion – and as secretary and chairman. In 1967 he took up the baton to become the Orchestra’s second permanent conductor. It was while he was conductor that performances changed from Sunday afternoons to Saturday evenings. George guided the Orchestra through two crises, lack of funds and lack of players. Such was his success at ‘turning the Orchestra round’ that the 25th Anniversary Concert was given in 1969 to great acclaim, with two well known and popular soloists of the time; Sidney Harrison and Molly Houldsworth.
Derek Harper
February 1971 – October 1979
Derek followed the tradition of having played in the Orchestra. For over 20 years, he played as a violinist and percussionist, before picking up the baton. Under Derek’s leadership the Orchestra performed many celebrity and charity concerts including a patriotic concert to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. Derek’s last concert was in October 1979.
Christopher Wood
March 1980 – July 1989
Christopher trained as a pianist at the Royal Academy of Music. Under Christopher the Orchestra was introduced to modern music and played much of the music of Sir Michael Tippett. Concerts in a variety of venues outside Southend were undertaken at this time including St John’s Smith Square in London. One notable open-air concert in Priory Park took place on a wet and windy day. The concert finished with a great flourish with the 1812 Overture and the obligatory fireworks.
Alan Gardner
November 1989 – July 1995
Alan was born near Southend and was a music teacher in a local Grammar School. He had been associate conductor of Southend Symphony Orchestra, and conductor of the local Sweyne Choral Society, when he took over the baton for SPO. Under his guidance Southend Philharmonic featured, as soloists, members of the Orchestra, local singers and instrumentalists, and professional performers at the start of their careers. The latter included cellist Caroline Dale, violinist Candida Thompson and the talented local cellist Sarah-Ann Barnes.
Lance Oliver
November 1995 – July 2001
Born locally, Lance began to play the violin at the age of six and three years later joined many of the local orchestras. At the age of thirteen whilst studying with Brenda Farrow, he performed his debut concerto with South East Essex Sixth Form College Orchestra. After a period of study with Detlef Hahn at the Guildhall School of Music, he went on to study at the Royal College of Music under Peter Manning where he also studied conducting and composition.
Since graduating, Lance has pursued a career as a violinist playing in a variety of orchestras and ensembles, including the orchestras of the BBC, the orchestra of the Royal Ballet of Birmingham and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Lance has performed with many stars from both the classical world and the West End including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Maria Friedman, Michael Legrand, Luciano Pavarotti, Nigel Kennedy and Lesley Garret, as well as special projects and tours involving Sir Simon Rattle, Elton John, Andrea Bocelli and Warner Brothers. Most recently he took part in a concert at Priory Park with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Lance is also active as a local teacher and music director, having been conductor of Southend Philharmonic Orchestra from 1995-2001 and currently the music director for the Southend Operatic and Drama Society. Lance has enjoyed a special relationship with the SPO for many years as player, leader and four times as a soloist with the Orchestra.
After Lance left, to pursue his professional career, the Orchestra invited three ‘guest’ conductors, for the following year 2001 – 2002:
Richard Brittain – November 2001
David Stanley – March 2002
Also conducts www.seyso.org.uk
Ian Walker – July 2002
Also MD of www.eastwoodchorale.co.uk
After holding auditions during the autumn term 2002 the Orchestra invited Andrew Morley to become its seventh permanent conductor.
Andrew Morley
January 2003
“What we heard was a marvel … the most convincing, gripping, sheerly beautiful realisation of Gruppen that I’ve heard.” – Sunday Times
Andrew studied conducting with Denis McCaldin at Lancaster University and subsequently won the Hertford Choral Scholarship to study with Peter Stark at Trinity College of Music (TCM). Having graduated with distinction, winning the Ricordi Conducting Prize, he is now in demand as a teacher and conductor in and around London.
At Trinity, Andrew’s conducting work included Aaron Copland’s ballet Appalachian Spring with the TCM Sinfonia, Heinz Holliger’s experimental study in breath, Pneuma, with the TCM Wind Orchestra, and a concert of film music arranged by the late Stanley Black with the TCM Symphony Orchestra. In recognition of his successes Andrew was chosen as Trinity’s entry for the intercollegiate Harriet Cohen Memorial Awards.
Recent performances include Malcolm Arnold’s Symphony No. 3, Berlioz’s Harold in Italy with the talented violist Samuel Burstin and a charity performance of Stockhausen’s rarely performed Gruppen for three orchestras. In addition he has held teaching posts at Lancaster University, Trinity College of Music and currently works with the Trinity College of Music Junior Choir, the Stoneleigh Choral Society, The Wallace Ensemble, St. Paul’s Sinfonia and the Southampton University Sinfonietta. In February 2004 Andrew was awarded first prize at the Allianz-Cornhill Musical Insurance Conducting Competition having received unanimous votes from both jury and orchestra.
| Year | Soloist | Instrument |
| 1945 | Frank Titterton | Tenor |
| Doris Bowers | Piano | |
| Daphne Roadnight | Mezzo Soprano | |
| Frederick Wallace | Baritone | |
| 1946 | Daphne Roadnight | Mezzo soprano |
| Florence Roadnight | Piano | |
| Conrad Lewis | Narrator | |
| 1947 | Daphne Roadnight | Soprano |
| Frederick Wallace | Baritone | |
| Samuel Artis | Violin | |
| Alan Hunt | Cello | |
| Betty Peirson | Piano | |
| 1948 | Betty Peirson | Piano |
| Heddle Nash | Tenor | |
| Betty Peirson | Piano | |
| 1948 | Irene Scharrer | Piano |
| 1949 | Winifred Hunt | Piano |
| Bernice Hicks | Soprano | |
| Gwen Ralph | Contralto | |
| Dan Merritt | Tenor | |
| Adrian Desmond | Baritone | |
| Alicia Chislett | Piano | |
| 1950 | Mrs S.L. Last | Piano |
| T.D.Hooke | Violin | |
| Brenda Farrow | Violin | |
| George Darvell | Oboe | |
| Ethel Walker | Piano | |
| Olivia Quinley | Soprano | |
| Adrian Desmond | Baritone | |
| 1951 | George Mowatt | Piano |
| June Harwood | Mezzo-Soprano | |
| 1952 | Sally Anne Mays | Piano |
| Ethel Walker | Piano | |
| 1953 | Cecil Barker | Violin |
| Ron Griffiths | Cello | |
| Brenda Farrow | Violin | |
| Daphne Wood | Narrator | |
| Alice Hutchinson | Mezzo-Soprano | |
| George Darvell | Oboe | |
| Brenda Farrow | Violin | |
| Howard Ling | Flute | |
| Gillian Habgood | Violin | |
| George Mowatt | Piano | |
| 1954 | David Delarue | Piano |
| Roy Dowling | Double bass | |
| Winifred Nancarrow | Viola | |
| 1955 | Brenda Farrow | Violin |
| Joseph Lock | Violin | |
| George Mowatt | Piano | |
| Brenda Farrow | Violin | |
| Ronald Meachen | Piano | |
| 1956 | Herbert Haddock | Violin |
| Eric Youngs | Clarinet | |
| Brenda Farrow | Violin | |
| Joseph Lock | Violin | |
| 1957 | John Curtis | Baritone |
| Brenda Farrow | Violin | |
| Joseph Lock | Violin | |
| George Mowatt | Piano | |
| Mary Harrison | Piano | |
| Michael Goodwin | Horn | |
| 1958 | Rosalyn Elvin | Narrator |
| Mary Harrison | Piano | |
| Eric Youngs | Clarinet | |
| Daphne Edwards | Soprano | |
| Joseph Lock | Violin | |
| John Curtis | Baritone | |
| Ronald Griffiths | Cello | |
| Annette Chesher | Soprano | |
| Ronald Meachen | Piano | |
| 1959 | Margaret Murray & | Piano |
| George Mowatt | Piano | |
| Nigel Newitt | Violin | |
| 1960 | Margaret Murray | Piano |
| Betty Collini | Soprano | |
| Peter Willison | Cello | |
| Audrey Simpson | Voice | |
| Ronald Meacham | Piano | |
| 1961 | Betty Collini | Soprano |
| Peter Willison | Cello | |
| Brenda Farrow & | Violin | |
| Joseph Lock | Violin | |
| Ronald Meachen | Piano | |
| 1962 | Betty Collini | Soprano |
| Leonard Hillier | Tenor | |
| John Curtis | Baritone | |
| Martin Jones | Piano | |
| 1963 | John Alvis | Tenor |
| Brenda Farrow | Violin | |
| George Mowatt | Piano | |
| 1964 | Cecil Barker | Violin |
| Alan Girling | Violin | |
| 1965 | William Gordon | Horn |
| Eileen Shults | Soprano | |
| George Mowatt | Piano | |
| Soo Bee Lee | Soprano | |
| Lesley Emmison | Oboe | |
| Eric Youngs | Clarinet | |
| Kenneth Steward | Bassoon | |
| David Presland | Horn | |
| 1966 | Leon Greene | Voice |
| 1967 | Jennifer Hill | Clarinet |
| Ronald Meachen | Piano | |
| Mary Cotton | Oboe | |
| 1968 | Molly Houldsworth | Voice |
| Christopher Nicholls | Voice | |
| Pauline Johnson | Piano | |
| 1969 | Joseph Locke & Alan Girling | Violins |
| Iris Elvin | Voivce | |
| Brenda Farrow | Violin | |
| Joseph Locke | Violin | |
| Molly Houldsworth | Voice (25th Anniversary Concert) | |
| Sidney Harrison | Piano (25th Anniversary Concert) | |
| 1970 | Patricia James | Oboe |
| Roy Mowatt | Violin | |
| John Skinner | Baritone | |
| Janice McClue | Soprano | |
| Joseph Lock | Violin | |
| George Mowatt | Piano | |
| 1971 | Alfredo Campoli | Violin |
| Jacqueline Delman | Voice | |
| 1972 | Roy Dowling | Double Bass |
| Reginald Sammons | Saxophone | |
| Joseph Lock | Violin | |
| 1973 | Iris Elvin | |
| 1974 | Joseph Lock | Violin |
| Patricia Beaumont | Oboe | |
| Kenneth Steward | Bassoon | |
| Joseph Lock | Violin | |
| Roger Preston | Cello | |
| Derek Wood | Narrator | |
| 1975 | David Cottam | Guitar |
| Joseph Lock | Violin | |
| Vera Taylor | Piano | |
| 1976 | Peter Allen | Horn |
| Roy Mowatt | Violin | |
| Iris Elvin | Voice | |
| Vera Taylor | Piano | |
| John Read | Voice | |
| Joseph Lock | Violin | |
| 1977 | Dorothy Leavey | Voice |
| Janet Bloxwich | Bassoon | |
| Iris Elvin | Voice | |
| George Mowatt | Piano | |
| 1978 | Reginald Sammons | Clarinet |
| Vera Taylor | Piano | |
| 1979 | Tony Compton | Accordion |
| 1980 | Joseph Lock & Richard Brittain | Violin |
| Ronald Meachen | Piano | |
| George Mowatt | Piano | |
| 1981 | Jeffrey Dyball | Harp |
| Nicholas Crabb | Flute | |
| Vivienne Hellos | Voice | |
| 1982 | Robert Bramley | Clarinet |
| Edward Parker | Piano | |
| Tang Yun | Violin | |
| 1983 | Leonard Stehn | Cello |
| Alexander Stewart | Violin | |
| Ronald Meachen | Piano | |
| 1984 | Stephen Robbings | Piano |
| John Ogden | Piano | |
| Christopher Wood | Piano / Conductor | |
| Vivienne Hellos | Voice | |
| 1985 | Edward Parker | Piano |
| Leonard Stehn | Cello | |
| Alexander Stewart | Violin | |
| Vivienne Bellos | Soprano | |
| Margaret Cozens | Contralto | |
| Roger Lawrence | Tenor | |
| Brindley Sherratt | Bass | |
| 1986 | Michael Crabb | Organ |
| Christopher Wood & | Piano / Conductor | |
| David Willison | Piano | |
| Robert Bramley | Clarinet | |
| Michael Collins | Clarinet | |
| 1987 | Lance Oliver & Stephen Weale | Violins |
| 1988 | Gregory Walmsley | Cello |
| Phillip Fowke | Piano | |
| Christine Johnson | Soprano | |
| 1989 | Mark Greensill & | Violin |
| Joanna Parker & | Flute | |
| Barbara Southward | Flute | |
| Caroline Kotok | Piano | |
| Lisa Perfect & | Oboe | |
| Tracey Bridgeman & | Clarinet | |
| Oliver Smith & | Horn | |
| Kenneth Steward | Bassoon | |
| 1990 | Caroline Dale | Cello |
| Christopher Wood | Piano | |
| 1991 | Oliver Smith | Horn |
| Lance Oliver | Violin | |
| 1992 | Sarah-Ann Barnes | Cello |
| Tracey Bridgeman | Clarinet | |
| 1993 | Stephen Winfield | Viola |
| Candida Thompson | Violin | |
| Shalinee Jayatilayka | Piano | |
| 1994 | Glyn Williams | Bassoon |
| Kathryn Sargent | Soprano | |
| Joanna Smith | Piano (50th Anniversary Concert/ | |
| 1995 | Lance Oliver | Violin |
| Ian Salmon | Trumpet | |
| Oliver Smith | Horn | |
| 1996 | Tracey Bridgeman | Clarinet |
| Susan Tucker & | Cello | |
| Rebecca Cox | Cello | |
| Gillian Hull | Narrator | |
| 1997 | Mark Greensill & | Violin |
| Keely Dartford | Viola | |
| Joanna Smith | Piano | |
| Emma Johnson | Clarinet | |
| 1998 | Vanessa Cozens | Mezzo Soprano |
| Jeffery Wilson | Alto Sax | |
| Anna Bradley & | Violin | |
| Thomas Woods | Cello | |
| 1999 | Raffaella Sauli | Violin |
| Evan Davies & | Flute | |
| Lynne Creasey | Harp | |
| 2000 | Gregory Walmsley | Cello |
| 2001 | Mari Nagahashi | Piano |
| Oliver Smith | Horn | |
| David Galbraith | Organ | |
| Yuri Zhislin | Violin | |
| 2002 | Yuri Kalnits | Violin |
| Lance Oliver | Violin | |
| 2003 | Aleksander Szram | Piano |
| Nadia Lasserson | Piano | |
| 2004 | Samuel Burstin | Viola |
| Caroline Szram | Cello |
11th December 2004
Guest Conductor Ante Skaug
Overture: La Cenerentola — Rossini
Wind Serenade — R. Strauss
Serenade for Strings — Elgar
Rumanian Folk Dances — Bartók
Symphony No.8 in F — Beethoven