This season is the Surrey Philharmonic Orchestra’s 95th. The orchestra began life in 1932 as the Surrey String Players when it was founded by Kathleen Riddick and her husband George Bixley. Kathleen was a pioneer for women conductors, as well as conducting the Surrey String Players she had her own professional orchestra the London Women’s String Orchestra, later to become the Riddick Orchestra, which broadcast regularly on the BBC. She was the first women to conduct an orchestral concert at the Royal Festival Hall when the SPO performed there in 1951. In 1945 the Surrey String Players expanded to become the Surrey Philharmonic Orchestra. Throughout its history international artists have appeared with the orchestra, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Jacqueline du Pré, Paul Tortelier, Steven Isserlis, Nigel Kennedy and Evelyn Glennie. Kathleen conducted the orchestra until her death in 1973, since then the orchestra has been excellently led, now by our principal conductor Cristian Cimei and co-principal conductor Rupert Bond.
Cristian Cimei (Principal Conductor)
Rupert Bond (Co-principal Conductor)
Joshua Hugo von Bohlen (Leader)
Mark Fitz-Gerald (Conductor Emeritus)
The Society is a registered charity governed by
Trustees:
David Renew (Chairman)
Susan Bixley (Hon. Administrator)
Peter Channing (Hon. Treasurer)
Simon Bristow
Ruth Foxcroft
Peter Hutchinson
Hazel Mumford
SPO Webmaster: Jonathan Stott
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