People

The orchestra started in 1974 under the baton of Ken Cox and continued until 1979 when Chris Eldridge took over. Chris developed the orchestra over a period of 20 years, until stepping down in 1999. David Stowell took the orchestra onto new levels of excellence during his three year tenure, until work commitments sadly took him away from the orchestra. We were grateful to Charles Renshaw for stepping into the breach for six months of 2001 and directing us admirably through three concerts, including our first ever outdoor concert at Hanbury Hall. From 2001-2003 the orchestra was guided by conductor Damian Penfold from London, whose knowledge of the orchestral repertoire extended the orchestra breadth and range of performance repertoire. The orchestra is grateful to Rachel Hyde who rehearsed the orchestra during the previous conductor's absence.From 2003 until 2009 the orchestra was conducted by Martin Leigh. Currently, the orchestra is in the process of auditioning applicants for the post of conductor by giving candidates a trial period leading to one concert.

Jemifer Smith

Leader Jenifer Smith has been a member of the Wyre Forest Symphony Orchestra since 1981. She was born in West Bromwich, and studied the violin from the age of eleven with Leslie Warner, and subsequently Edgar Wheatley and Florence Hewitt. She was a member of the West Bromwich Youth Orchestra, and also the Midland Youth Orchestra with its charismatic conductor and founder, Blyth Major. Jenifer then played with the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra for some years.

She followed a career in the Insurance industry in Birmingham and later in Cardiff. A period was spent living in Stourport on Severn when she moved to work again in the Midlands. During this time she joined the WFSO.
Now living in Bromsgrove, Jenifer teaches violin in the area. Her present musical commitments include membership of the Chandos Symphony Orchestra which performs regularly in Malvern.

The orchestra

WFSO is a weekly rehearsal subscription orchestra, and our regular players are :

Violins: Jenifer Smith, Richard Lane, Rachel Greenwood, Julie Greenwood, Peter Osbourne, Jean Nicholls, Elizabeth Lammie, Tracey Broadley, Christopher Page, Sarah Bowles, Alison Beddoes, Catherine Clarke, Andrew Jones, Debbie McCoshan, Celia Philips, Jola Merrick, Lucy Davis, Brenda Rea.
Viola: Wendy Collison, Christine Sedman-Smith, Caroline Ince
Cello: Stella Batson, Nick Batson, Richard Herbert, Richard Brunt, James Greenwood, Jim Pearman.
Bass: Rob Crawford, Larry Bradshaw
Flute: Rachel Perry, Di Manasseh.
Oboe: William Bury, Ann Warner
Clarinet: Nikki Loveridge, Diana Cotterell
Bassoon: Toddy Harman Jill Sparke
Horn: Hazel Whitefoot, Percy Cotterell, Christine Venables, Edna Harman.
Trumpet:
Trombone:
Tuba:
Timpani:
Percussion:
Harp

New players

...are always welcome. There are currently some vacancies in the strings. Players should be a good grade 7 and be prepared to attend weekly rehearsals. Please contact orchestra manager omgr@wfso.org.uk or the Marketing Manager at publicity@wfso.org.uk for more details.

Committee & supporters

Orchestras take quite a bit of organising and so thanks go to those people -players and non-players - who give of their time to sustain the Wyre Forest Symphony Orchestra:
Chairman - Hazel Whitefoot
Leader - Jenifer Smith
Librarian - Jill Sparke
Treasurer - Cathy Clarke
Secretary - Celia Phillips
Making Music Rep - Stella Batson
Brass/Wind Rep - Christine Venables
Publicity Assistant - Elizabeth Lammie
Concert manager - Chris Page
Orchestra manager - Stella Batson
Friends List - Jim Pearman
Front of House - Barbara Pugh
Subscriptions secretary - Edna Harman

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