Committee Roles
The FSO committee is responsible for the management of the Orchestra. Committee members are elected at a general meeting and serve for a period of one year as trustees of the charity. The Committee consists of the following officers:
- Chairman
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Leader
- Publicity Officer
- Associate Conductor
- Librarian
- Stage Manager
- Assistant Secretary
- Front-of-House Manager
In addition, the Committee has three Ordinary Members, who have no specific portfolio and who can serve for a maximum of three years. The Music Director is not a member of the committee since, as a salaried employee of the charity, he is precluded from trusteeship.
Chairman – Peter Birkett
The Chairman has overall responsibility for the general management of the Orchestra, including all matters pertaining to concerts, membership, financial performance and the legal obligations associated with being a registered charity. The role includes liaison with sponsors and other donors as well as maintaining a strategy for the development of the Orchestra.
Secretary – David Nash
The Secretary is responsible for the administrative management of the Orchestra, including booking of venues and soloists, recording of meetings, and membership administration.
Treasurer – Robin Chave
The Treasurer is responsible for the financial management of the Orchestra including day-to-day fiscal operation, budgeting and liaison with auditors.
Leader – Tessa Welford
In addition to the normal musical duties associated with the role of leading an orchestra, the Leader is the players’ formal representative on the committee and has responsibility for all musicians, particularly on concert days. The Leader also ensures that extra players are procured when required.
Publicity Officer – Elspeth Todd
The Publicity Officer is responsible for promoting the public profile of the Orchestra, including management of sales and marketing for concerts and other events, and maintaining the web profile of the Orchestra. In addition, Elspeth fulfils the non-committee role of Ticket Secretary.
Associate Conductor – Roy Falshaw
The Associate Conductor deputises for the Music Director, taking rehearsals when necessary and conducting the Orchestra for specific events as required.
Librarian – Simon Waddington
The Librarian is responsible for sourcing scores and instrumental parts for the musical programme, ensuring that parts are available when required and returned after use. The role also involves providing hire cost estimates to the Treasurer for budgetary purposes.
Stage Manager – Michael Fielder
The Stage Manager is responsible for the layout of the stage on concert days and ensuring that rehearsal venues are configured appropriately.
Assistant Secretary – Gillian Allmark
The Assistant Secretary supports the Secretary, taking minutes when required and deputising as necessary. Gillian also fulfils the non-committee role of Assistant Publicity Officer with responsibility for the design and printing of publicity material and the preparation of concert programmes.
Front-of-House Manager – Sue Martin The Front-of-House Manager is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the front-of-house function on concert days, including sourcing helpers and overseeing ticket and programme sales.
Ordinary Member – Alison Wyld (2nd Year)
Ordinary Member – Robert Perry (1st year)
As an Ordinary Member, Robert also fulfils the non-committee role of Patrons Secretary, with responsibility for communication with the Orchestra’s patrons.
Ordinary Member - VACANT
