Friends and Benefactors Scheme
Separating the Orpheus Foundation from the commercial concert world is the very intimate atmosphere and the key social element which surrounds performances. We encourage those attending to circulate, with drinks being served both beforehand and during the interval, at which friendships have been forged and old acquaintances renewed. A major contributor to this is our members' society, the Friends of the Orpheus Foundation.
Providing a vital income stream and forming the heart of our audience, the 'Friends' is a lively and enthusiastic association with over one hundred members. Membership of the Friends can involve far more than joining a club or making a donation - we like to think of our members as being an integral part of the organisation and, alongside the artists, being a focal point of our activities.
We are particularly grateful for the donations that each and every member makes, as these donations translate into direct support for our talented young musicians. In return, members enjoy priority booking, access to the best seats, attractive benefits and – perhaps most importantly – invitations to Friends Events.
A series of occasional social events is organised throughout the year. A delightful feature at such events is the performance of live classical music in an intimate environment, and there is always the opportunity to meet many of the members of the orchestra.
Membership of this wonderfully intimate society of over two hundred supporters is available to individuals who pledge an annual donation of:
Friends (£25 or £40 for couples) Gold Friends (£100)
Orpheus Friends (£250) Orpheus Benefactors (£1,000)
In return for your kind donation, Orpheus is pleased to offer the following:
To all members:
- Acknowledgement on the Orpheus Foundation website and in all Orpheus Season Programmes
- Complimentary copies of Orpheus' Season Programmes
- Complimentary copies of the Orpheus Newsletter: 'The Trumpeter'
- Invitations to Friends Events, including interval and post-concert receptions and supper parties, where there is an opportunity to meet members of the orchestra
- An attractive 'Orpheus Foundation' badge
To Gold Friends and above:
- A Regent Street VIP Privilege Shopping Card, giving discounts at many of Regent Street's most prestigious stores
- Priority Booking: This guarantees you the availability of reserving up to four consecutive seats in the centre aisle or gallery box at St George's Hanover Square: Priority reservations should be at least made four weeks prior to the concert in question
To Orpheus Friends and above:
- An invitation for two to attend the 'Annual Orpheus Friends & Sponsors Reception,' where there is an opportunity to meet members, sponsors and leading young musicians from Orpheus' concerts
- Support acknowledged with the sponsorship of a page in one Orpheus Season programme each year
- Notification of the Orpheus Sinfonia's rehearsal schedules and the opportunity to reserve seats to observe live rehearsals in progress, with advance notice
To Orpheus Benefactors and above:
- The opportunity to sponsor the performance of one of the Orpheus Sinfonia's programmed pieces of music. The sponsorship is credited in the relevant concert programme and it includes the opportunity to dedicate the performance of the piece
- VIP Priority Booking: This guarantees you the availability of reserving up to four consecutive seats in the front section of the centre aisle or in a premium gallery box at St George's Hanover Square. Priority reservations should be made at least four weeks prior to the concert in question
Orpheus Chair Endowment Scheme
Support the Orpheus Sinfonia by endowing the chair of a player. Your £1500 Chair Endowment donation covers the cost of keeping a player involved in all of Orpheus' orchestral concerts for one year. The principal First Violin, Double Bass, Harp, Piccolo and Trumpet were still available to sponsor as this programme goes to press. Alternatively, please select your favourite orchestral instrument and we will create a chair especially for you.
In return for your kind donation, Orpheus is pleased to offer an invitation to attend our Annual Orpheus Patron's Luncheon, hosted by Dame Judi Dench, and featuring live performances from leading Orpheus Artists, together with acknowledgement in all Orpheus publicity. Additionally, Chair Sponsors gain all the benefits to which members of the top level of Friends membership are entitled.
The current Chair Benefactors are:
- Anton Lotzer (Principal Second Violin)
- James & Béatrice Lupton (Principal Viola)
- Nicholas & Debbie Barton (Principal Cello)
- Albin Johann (Principal Flute)
- Trevor & Elizabeth Gore (Principal Oboe)
- Amy McKee (Second Oboe)
- Stuart & Hilary Williams (Principal Clarinet)
- Caroline Charles (Cello)
- Rory Graham (Principal Horn)
- Clive & Mary Arding (Principal Trombone)
- Duncan Spence (Principal Percussion)
- Neville and Elaine Blond Trust (Principal Piano)
