Brighton Philharmonic has served audiences in Sussex for over one hundred years. Our vision is to be a regional orchestra with national significance, programming and presenting classical music in a bold, colourful way to build new audiences and nurture audiences of the future.
Our principals and players are drawn from the London symphonic orchestras, as well as from accomplished young professional players at the start of their career; the orchestra is led by the internationally acclaimed pianist, conductor and curator Joanna MacGregor. BPO continually seeks out international names as well as brilliant younger soloists, conductors, and artistic collaborators – from jazz and contemporary music to film and the visual arts. BPO consistently programmes and promotes itself in an innovative, creative and enticing way that will excite and inspire all audiences of all ages and backgrounds. This has successfully drawn in new audiences to classical music, with significant audience growth and palpable excitement and engagement in Brighton. BPO’s talented players reflect its weighty symphonic history, as well as their virtuosity and flexibility in smaller chamber ensembles.
The Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra has delighted Sussex audiences with innovative performances ever since their first concert at Hove Town Hall in May 2025. The orchestra has welcomed some of the biggest figures in classical music - from Myra Hess and Sergei Rachmaninoff to Vaughan Williams and Benjamin Britten - and celebrated 100 years of music making in April 25 with a performance of Messiaen's collosal Turangalîla Symphony to a packed Dome.
Joanna MacGregor CBE is one of the world’s most innovative musicians, appearing as a concert pianist, curator and conductor. Head of Piano at the Royal Academy of Music and Professor of University of London, Joanna MacGregor was the Artistic Director of Dartington International Summer School & Festival 2014-2019, Artistic Director of the Bath International Music Festival 2006-2012, and curated the multi-arts Deloitte Ignite Festival at the Royal Opera House, as well as Aventures+, an orchestral series for Luxembourg Philharmonie. She runs an annual Summer Piano Festival at the Royal Academy, involving over a hundred young musicians playing core repertoire as well as collaborating with composers, actors, visual artists, writers and filmmakers. Joanna has just been appointed Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Brighton Philharmonic, as it approaches its centenary.
Our small team work across our artistic programme, as well as running our membership and administering all our charitable governance.
Music Director & CEO: Joanna MacGregor
Operations Director: Gill Davies
Operations Coordinator: Harriet Waters
Finance Manager: Kate Fargher
The Society is managed by a board of Trustees:
Jonathan Brigden (Chair)
Andrea Cifelli (Company Secretary)
Robert Cook (Honorary Treasurer)
Caroline Harrison
Norman Jacobs
Laurie Cearley
John Gill
Jessica Blackstone
Our last last Annual General Meeting for Members was held on 21 Nov 2024; the minutes are downloadable here. Our next AGM will be on Thursday 27 Nov 2025 when we will share updates on all our activity and present our annual accounts. All Friends and Patrons are automatically members of the society and eligible to vote.
There are many ways to support the orchestra, from becoming a Friend to sponsoring our new initiative, Spring Forwards, nuturing new talent within the orchestra through a designated mentoring scheme. Find out more about how you can support the orchestra here.
