History
Foundation
The Westminster Philharmonic Orchestra was established in 1972 by Joseph Pilbury with a clear purpose: to enable accomplished amateur musicians to perform ambitious, large-scale compositions that few amateur orchestras attempt. From the outset, the WPO set itself apart by tackling the most demanding works in the symphonic repertoire.
Over more than five decades the orchestra has grown into one of London’s leading amateur orchestras, drawing musicians from across a wide region.
Repertoire
The WPO has always been distinguished by the ambition of its programming. The orchestra has performed Mahler and Shostakovich symphonies, Bartók’s Miraculous Mandarin, Ravel’s Daphnis & Chloé, and major works by Stravinsky, Tippett, Maxwell Davies, Nielsen, Richard Strauss, and Vaughan Williams — alongside lesser-known composers whose music deserves wider hearing.
Milestones
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1972 | Orchestra founded by Joseph Pilbury |
| 1998 | 25th anniversary season, featuring Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle and a commissioned work |
| 2012 | Celebrated the centenary of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor |
| 2013 | Marked the centenary of George Lloyd |
| 2017 | Orchestra featured in a BT Sport advertisement performing the UEFA Champions League Anthem |
| 2018 | Premiered David Hackbridge Johnson’s 9th Symphony; celebrated Leonard Bernstein’s centenary |
| 2019 | Performed Percy Sherwood’s Concerto for violin & cello |
Recordings and Broadcasting
The WPO has released four CDs of film music and has been featured in broadcast media. In 2017 the orchestra appeared in a BT Sport television advertisement performing the UEFA Champions League Anthem.
International Tours
The orchestra has toured extensively, performing in Gibraltar, Malta, Cyprus, France, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Nova Scotia.
Community
Each year the WPO presents a “Party in the Park” open-air concert at Langtons Gardens in Havering, regularly attracting audiences of over 3,000 people.
Recent Seasons
The 2024–25 season included performances of Haydn’s Creation in collaboration with Islington Choral Society, Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, works by Walton, Elgar, Bernstein, Bliss, and a violin concerto by Mozart. Previous seasons have featured Wagner, Sibelius, Debussy, Bruckner, Tchaikovsky, and Ruth Gipps, among many others.