A History

Records of the tradition in Chichester of an amateur orchestra reach back at least to the late 18th Century.  John Marsh in his journals of his life in Chichester during that period recounts the activities of “a kind of musical club for the amateurs of Chichester who used to meet together every Friday evening to amuse themselves with Corelli, Geminiani & Handel concertos, Bach and Abel overtures etc.” 

Much later, in 1881, records in the Chichester Directory, Handbook and Almanac mention “a String Band of Amateur Instrumentalists.”

In celebrating the centenary of the founding of the Chichester Symphony Orchestra, known as the Chichester Orchestral Society prior to 1983, it must be admitted that it is not easy to pin-point unequivocally the precise year in which the latter Society was formed.

There is a reference to the “Chichester Instrumental Society” in the Chichester Directory, Handbook and Almanac of 1881, where it is stated that “a String Band has recently been formed of Amateur Instrumentalists.  Full Band Practice every Monday evening from 8.15 to 8.45, under an experienced Conductor.”  Apart from adding the names of the Hon. Sec., Mr John Fielding and the Treasurer and Librarian, Mr A J Kerwood, it did not say where they met.  (One might even wonder what they did in only half an hour!)

On the same evening of the week, the “Musical Society” met “for practices at the “Girls’ Schoolroom,” the Conductor being Mr E T Aylward and the Hon. Sec. Mr W L Gibbings.  This organisation, subsequently conducted by the Cathedral organist (Dr F J Read), did in fact continue to run for several decades afterwards.

The first advertisement relating to the emergence of the “Chichester Orchestral Society” (COS) appeared in the Bognor Observer on 25th December 1889.  This stated that the Society was “Prepared to receive ENGAGEMENTS for BANQUETS, BALLS, EVENING PARTIES, &c.  Full particulars to be had of the Secretary, Mr Albert William Lambert, L.Mus>, Canon Lane, Chichester,” the Conductor being Mr A O Hawthorne.  This venture seemed to imply that monetary benefit was being sought and there is evidence that some professional musicians from London and Portsmouth were employed.  It is not certain how successful this advertisement was.