ABOUT US
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Sunderland Symphony Orchestra is a group of talented musicians and friends who enjoy playing music together on a voluntary basis and who are keen to share their work in quarterly concerts, community events, and inclusive outreach learning programmes. The charity membership includes non-playing volunteers who assist the successful running of all aspects of the work of the orchestra.
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Sunderland Symphony Orchestra (SSO) welcomes new members. We work closely with the Sunderland Youth and Community Orchestra (SYCO) in helping to bring on beginners who may wish to join the SSO as players when they are ready. New players in the SSO Concert Orchestra are by appointment of the Musical Director, and are usually players from Grade 5 to Diploma Plus. Our inclusive developmental work stands with our high standards of musicianship.
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SSO works with the Sunderland Music Hub, managed by Together for Children CIC, and Sunderland schools to promote and support the wider playing of orchestral music. A number of music outreach projects with schools, community, and other music groups are being delivered under our Coming of Age project supported by Arts Council England.
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SSO is grateful to a number of partners, sponsors, and funders detailed on our Partners page. SSO works in partnership with a range of local musicians, choirs, and music groups and organisations including, by agreement, Royal Northern Sinfonia. Opportunities to get involved include our SSO Patron, and Friends of SSO schemes.
SSO Musical Director, David Milner
Our conductor, David Milner, started playing the tenor horn aged 11 years with his school ensemble. He very quickly progressed to playing with Cargo Fleet Steel Works junior and senior bands in his home town of Middlesborough.
At 16, he successfully auditioned for the Band of HM Life Guards, changing instrument to French horn and also taking up the cello. In his years with the band, he played for many ceremonial occasions and in concert venues across the country and Europe. He also studied at the Royal Military School of Music Kneller Hall and the Royal Academy of Music with Jim Brown.
In 1978 David joined Northumbria Police, playing for the police band on tenor horn, and for 10 years was a member of the mounted section. Throughout his time with the force, he continued as a professional musician, playing French horn with orchestras and in theatres. 2004 saw David retire from the police but within a few months took up a teaching career as a peripatetic music teacher working for Gateshead, Newcastle, and North Tyneside Music Services. This lasted for 15 years until David retired for a second time in 2019.
David has cut back on his playing engagements and concentrates on conducting. He currently conducts Newcastle Concert Band (since 1992), Sunderland Symphony Orchestra and Semitones, a small group of players who perform concerts for care home residents.
Where to find us
St. Mark's Community Association is our base and near the Millfield Metro Station. Entrance is from St. Mark's Terrace.
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There are on street car parking facilities near by.
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Rehearsals are normally held on Wednesdays at 7.30 pm
History
Sunderland Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has been based at West Park United Reformed Church for concerts, rehearsals and general meetings since its formation. Supported by Sunderland City Council from the beginning, SSO began life as the 'City of Sunderland Millennium Orchestral Society', or 'CoSMOS', established as a voluntary organisation with the charitable aim of integrating music education with community and public cultural development and benefit.
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“The idea was to celebrate the Millennium with an initiative of real and lasting cultural and educational value for the people of Sunderland” - Mark Greenfield, Orchestra Founder and Vice-President. West Park United Reformed Church was sold in February 2018 to a private individual, who has allowed the orchestra to continue meeting there. An excellent relationship was developed between SSO and the new owner, himself a musician. The building is now known simply as 'West Park Church'.
Who's Who
John Lennox
Vice President
Joy Lowther
Secretary
Brian Naisby
Orchestra Manager
David McCourt
Orchestra Leader
Ged McCormack
Chair
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Ben Leighton
Fundraiser
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Mark Greenfield
Vice President,
Relational Lead
David Mills
Honorary Vice President
Peter Chapman
Membership Secretary, Treasurer
David Milner
Musical Director
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Winifred Lundgren
Vice President
Louise Baxter
Vice Chair
John Harding
Librarian
Paul Judson
Deputy Conductor
Emma Mapplebeck
Youth Partnership Development
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