President – Jonathan Summers OAM *
Baritone
International opera singer since 1974
Jonathan has been the Society’s President since 1997.
Jonathan has achieved world acclaim for his interpretation of a wide variety of operatic roles in the great opera houses of the world, particularly the works of Mozart, Verdi and Puccini.
After early training in Australia and Britain, his highly praised début with Kent Opera as Rigoletto in Jonathan Miller’s production was quickly followed by a contract with the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London. His many guest appearances include Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera, English National Opera, Opera North, Glyndebourne Festival, Opera Australia, Victoria State Opera, State Opera of South Australia, Paris Opera, Théâtre du Capitole Toulouse, La Fenice Venice, Teatro Comunale Florence, Théâtre Municipale Lausanne, Hamburg State Opera, Bavarian State Opera Munich, State Opera Cologne, Théâtre de la Monnaie Brussels, Grand Theatre Geneva, the Metropolitan Opera New York, and Lyric Opera Chicago.
* In 2009 Jonathan was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), an order of chivalry established in 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service.
For further details, see:
http://www.jonathansummers.co.uk/
International opera singer since 1974
Jonathan has been the Society’s President since 1997.
Jonathan has achieved world acclaim for his interpretation of a wide variety of operatic roles in the great opera houses of the world, particularly the works of Mozart, Verdi and Puccini.
After early training in Australia and Britain, his highly praised début with Kent Opera as Rigoletto in Jonathan Miller’s production was quickly followed by a contract with the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in London. His many guest appearances include Scottish Opera, Welsh National Opera, English National Opera, Opera North, Glyndebourne Festival, Opera Australia, Victoria State Opera, State Opera of South Australia, Paris Opera, Théâtre du Capitole Toulouse, La Fenice Venice, Teatro Comunale Florence, Théâtre Municipale Lausanne, Hamburg State Opera, Bavarian State Opera Munich, State Opera Cologne, Théâtre de la Monnaie Brussels, Grand Theatre Geneva, the Metropolitan Opera New York, and Lyric Opera Chicago.
* In 2009 Jonathan was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), an order of chivalry established in 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service.
For further details, see:
http://www.jonathansummers.co.uk/
Vice Presidents
The Society is also served by the following as Vice Presidents:
Margaret Vowles Basil & Mary House Fiona Fawssett
Margaret Vowles Basil & Mary House Fiona Fawssett
Musical Director & Conductor – Michael Stefan Wood, BEM* Dip. Mus., LTCL, LLCM, ALCM
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Mike is Head of Music at Oakmeeds Community College, Burgess Hill. As a musician he has played in a variety of orchestral and chamber music groups. He is particularly interested in recorder music. As a singer Mike has sung in many local choirs and was for some years in the Brighton Festival Chorus singing under such conductors as André Previn, Lorin Maazel and Sir Colin Davis.
With this experience he brings to the choir an enthusiasm for music which he imparts readily to its members. He has directed the Choral Society for more than 30 years (2017 was his 30th anniversary). He helps choir members to achieve their potential, while making rehearsals enjoyable, and encourages people to give expression to what they are singing. He has sung several lead roles in many local stage productions. As well as directing Burgess Hill Choral Society, Mike directs Burgess Hill Symphony Orchestra. He is also a member of local group Wilbury Jam. * In the Queen's Birthday Honours List of June 2013, Mike was awarded the honour of BEM (British Empire Medal) for services to music in Burgess Hill. The BEM is awarded on merit to people who have made a difference to their community. Mike's life in music was the subject of an article in Sussex Living magazine in March 2012. Click on the image below to read the full piece. After clicking, use the arrows on the top right corner of the cover to go to each fresh page. |
Accompanist – Phillip Sear ATCL, Dip. LCM
At school in Mid-Sussex, Phillip studied piano and organ, and gained early experience as a rehearsal pianist for school Gilbert & Sullivan productions. He then read Maths and Music at Royal Holloway, London, graduating with a First in 1976. After that he then took several years out of concentrated music-making to qualify as an accountant in the City of London.
Although continuing his City career, in the 1980s Phillip gradually returned to piano playing, first as accompanist to operatic societies for musical theatre and operetta productions, then as rehearsal pianist for Sussex opera groups, including New Sussex Opera, Regency Opera, and Heber Opera (see list of shows worked on, on Phillip's own website). He attended Martino Tirimo's advanced piano class at Morley College for some years and has given public or workshop performances of solo works by many neglected composers (see note on Phillip's website).
Phillip performs with singers and instrumentalists in concerts in London and the South East. For details of public engagements (excluding school concerts and educational engagements) since Spring 1998, see the Events page of Phillip's own website. Since autumn 2009 he has been accompanist to Burgess Hill Choral Society, and Phillip also plays for the Mid Sussex Choir in Haywards Heath.
Other work includes playing for AS/A level recitals, diploma and grade examinations, and accompanying at music festivals including Mid-Sussex (Burgess Hill) and Springboard (Brighton). Phillip has also accompanied many concerts organised by the former West Sussex County Council Music Service for pupils with awards for instrumental and singing tuition in their northern area.
As well as piano, Phillip also plays the church organ, and deputises at Haywards Heath Methodist Church and elsewhere.
Phillip's own website is:
www.psear.co.uk
Although continuing his City career, in the 1980s Phillip gradually returned to piano playing, first as accompanist to operatic societies for musical theatre and operetta productions, then as rehearsal pianist for Sussex opera groups, including New Sussex Opera, Regency Opera, and Heber Opera (see list of shows worked on, on Phillip's own website). He attended Martino Tirimo's advanced piano class at Morley College for some years and has given public or workshop performances of solo works by many neglected composers (see note on Phillip's website).
Phillip performs with singers and instrumentalists in concerts in London and the South East. For details of public engagements (excluding school concerts and educational engagements) since Spring 1998, see the Events page of Phillip's own website. Since autumn 2009 he has been accompanist to Burgess Hill Choral Society, and Phillip also plays for the Mid Sussex Choir in Haywards Heath.
Other work includes playing for AS/A level recitals, diploma and grade examinations, and accompanying at music festivals including Mid-Sussex (Burgess Hill) and Springboard (Brighton). Phillip has also accompanied many concerts organised by the former West Sussex County Council Music Service for pupils with awards for instrumental and singing tuition in their northern area.
As well as piano, Phillip also plays the church organ, and deputises at Haywards Heath Methodist Church and elsewhere.
Phillip's own website is:
www.psear.co.uk