Lunchtime Concert: Chichester Symphony Orchestra with Tim Rumsey, piano

With some justification Chichester Symphony Orchestra can claim to be the oldest secular musical ensemble in the area still in existence. A Chichester Instrumental Society is known to have existed in 1881 and is listed in the Chichester Directory Handbook and Almanac of that year. The Society’s name made its first formal appearance in print in the ‘Bognor Observer and West Sussex Recorder’ newspaper of 25 December 1889 in which it was announced that the Society was ‘prepared to receive engagements for banquets, balls, evening parties’. This is the date the orchestra now documents for its foundation.

Over the past 25 years Chichester Symphony Orchestra has had four conductors, most recently Simon Wilkins since 2018. Simon works professionally as a music teacher, conductor, and composer. He is also an accomplished cellist. Alex Hu, growing up in New York City, began playing violin at the age of 6. After his BMus from the Aaron Copland School of Music, he came to the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama for his Masters. He has been the leader of the Chichester Symphony Orchestra since September 2025.

At present the orchestra gives four concerts a year in Chichester – in January, April, July and October. The July concert is in the Festival of Chichester and the October one is in the Cathedral’s lunchtime concert series.  A Friends scheme was launched in July 2024 and aims to deepen the relationship with our most valued supporters, to connect the orchestra to the wider community, raise the importance of live performance and appreciation of classical music with both current and new audiences, and to help sustain its finances. Members of the Friends pay an annual subscription that includes two complimentary tickets for the orchestra’s concerts in spring and summer each year. For further details about these and the orchestra in general, visit our website at chichesterso.co.uk.

Tim Rumsey Recently honoured as an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music (ARAM), Tim Rumsey is a UK-based soloist and chamber musician, having delighted audiences at venues including the V&A Museum, Champs  Hill and the Pittville Pump Room in Cheltenham, as well as concert halls further afield in Italy and Spain. Tim launched his debut album, Transcriptions, in Autumn 2025 to great acclaim, being ranked No.4 in Textura’s Top 20 for 2025 in the Instrumental category. 

Festival collaborations have included the Pordenone Silent Film Festival in Italy and the Cheltenham Music Festival (UK), with concerto appearances including Beethoven’s 4th Piano Concerto with the Chichester Symphony Orchestra. Tim is also launching his own music publishing brand, Aurum Publications, where you can find all his arrangements and compositions.

Alongside performing, Tim has a busy teaching and accompanying schedule at St. Catherine’s School in Bramley, Surrey, and the Junior Department of the Royal Academy of Music in London. His enthusiasm as a jazz pianist and composer also feeds into his teaching, and he encourages pupils of all ages to think creatively and independently. Tim also enjoys accompanying choirs in his native Sussex as well as in London.