EASTBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 296902
For details about supporting the Orchestra financially please contact treasurer@eso.org.uk
For enquiries about playing with the Orchestra, for helping with the Orchestra, or for any other information, please contact concertmanager@eso.org.uk
Safeguarding Officers (tbc): Brian Knights, John Thornley (concertmanager@eso.org.uk)
twitter.com/EastbourneSymph
facebook.com/eastbournesymphonyorchestra
Patron
John York – view profile
President
Merton Cox
Trustees
Merton Cox (President)
Frances Jones (Orchestra Manager)
Brian Knights (Young Soloist Competition Coordinator)
Richard McDonough (Treasurer)
John Thornley (Concert Manager)
Music Working Group
Merton Cox (President, Trustee) – view profile
David Creighton (Concert Assistant) – view profile
Frances Jones (Orchestra Manager, Librarian, Trustee) – view profile
Graham Jones (Musical Director) – view profile
Brian Knights (Safeguarding Officer, Trustee, Young Soloist Competition Coordinator) – view profile
Richard McDonough (Treasurer, Trustee) – view profile
John Thornley (Concert Manager, Publicity, Safeguarding Officer, Secretary, Trustee, Website) – view profile
Veronica Townsend (Orchestra Assistant) – view profile
Lisa Wigmore (Leader) – view profile
Past Presidents
John Crawshaw 1982-1993
Anthony Hawkins 1993-1998
Aubrey Vickers 1998-2003
Sir John Chatfield 2003-2008
Paul Lucas 2008-2018
Merton Cox 2018-
John Crawshaw (pictured above middle in blue jumper), the ESO’s first president (from 1982 to 1993), passed away in May 2023. John was very involved in local music and a passionate believer in creating opportunities for young musicians. He had sung in almost every ESO choral concert from the early 80s (and Eastbourne College choral concerts from the early 70s). John was a founding trustee and chairman of the Norah Sande Award scheme. He was also chairman of the Eastbourne Music and Arts Festival for over 20 years.
The ESO were very touched that John and his family, wanting only family flowers for the funeral, requested donations to be given to the Eastbourne Symphony Orchestra for a project to encourage young musicians. Given that the ESO aims to help young musicians, this kind gesture is hugely appropriate.
Paul Lucas, ESO president from 2008 to 2018 passed away in 2025 and there is an article about Paul in the April 2025 programme.