Latest issue of WSO's Music Matters Magazine out now

Welcome to the third edition of Music Matters. As the seasons change from Summer to Autumn my thughts are drawn to Vivaldi and his group of four violin concerti, The Four Seasons. The Autumn Adagio molto begins with the words “Everyone is made to forget their cares and to sing and dance” and this is certainly something we all need during the current situation. How we all wish that we could come together in the Assembly Hall to enjoy our wonderful Worthing Symphony Orchestra making music to help us forget our cares and indeed, make us want to sing and dance.

I asked in the last issue what your views were on returning to concerts when we are allowed to restart them and would like to thank everyone who responded. The common view was that you greatly missed the concerts which is gratifying to hear, and believe me, everyone involved with WSO feels the same way!

Some people were accepting that if this meant wearing face coverings in the audience then they would be willing to do this to get the concerts back, while others felt that they would not be able to wear such coverings during the entire concert.

The majority of responders also had concerns over the logistics of staging a concert. They wanted to know what would be put in place regarding entering and leaving the Assembly Hall; also at the interval when buying refreshments and while using toilet facilities. They questioned how social distancing could be observed in these situations.

Please rest assured that we will take all comments on board and will, when the
time comes to think of concerts returning, be addressing the concerns with
Worthing Theatres Trust so that due diligence is paid and a full risk assessment is
drawn up. Whilst we want to get concerts back as soon as possible, the safety of
the audience, the orchestra and the staff is, and always will be, our prime concern.

In the meantime, I invite you to sit back and enjoy reading this Autumn edition of Music Matters. We hope you find the articles both entertaining and interesting. It is our means of staying in touch and letting you know that we are still here and planning some wonderful concerts for you to enjoy in the future.

Best wishes,
Paul Baker
Chair of Worthing Symphony Orchestra