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Who
are the Friends?
The Friends share in the work of the RTWSO by
their interest, feedback and close association. Their primary
purpose is to support the RTWSO and to contribute financially and in
other appropriate ways such as:
- stimulating
local interest in the RTWSO
- assisting
the RTWSO to maintain and build its audience
- encouraging
the participation of playing members
- sharing
a love of orchestral music
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Why
does the RTWSO need more Friends?
Every orchestra these days needs financial
help from its supporters. The reason is that money from
ticket sales can never be enough to meet the steeply rising costs of
putting on first-class concerts. To put it another way, if
the RTWSO were to increase ticket prices to meet the full costs of its
performances, then the number of people coming to our concerts would
decline, leaving us no better off than before.
For more than 21 years, the Friends of the RTWSO have funded us to the tune of about £200,000. This financial backing
has enabled the Friends to sponsor one of the six concerts every
season, making it possible to include large-scale orchestral works in
the repertoire. At the same time, it has helped to keep seat
prices at affordable levels.
Without this kind of support from the Friends, the RTWSO would not be
playing for you today.
‘We want you to make a determined effort to encourage your
friends, relations and neighbours to join us at our
concerts’, says Robert Hardcastle, Chairman of the
Friends. ‘If we sold another 150 tickets each
concert, our financial worries would vanish and the RTWSO would be able
to carry on providing the best of world-class soloists and
programmes.’
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Please
join the Friends today
Anyone can become a Friend of the RTWSO and we
would very much encourage you to do so. You join the Friends
by taking out a subscription of no less than £25 per person
per annum. This is the minimum amount payable and larger
donations are, of course, gratefully received.
Please help us to continue the high standard of music and performance
by joining the Friends of the RTWSO. Simply contact RTWSO
Chairman, Ralph Hebditch, at the address below or ask for details in
the foyer at one of the RTWSO concerts:
Ralph Hebditch,
9, Smythe Close,
Tunbridge Wells,
Kent
TN4 0TY
Email: hebditch_randa@uwclub.net
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Benefits
for you and us
By joining the Friends of the RTWSO, you will be entitled to a good
saving on the normal price of our season tickets.
If you pay tax, then we will ask you to complete a Gift Aid declaration
(which can be cancelled at any time should your circumstances change)
in order that we can reclaim tax. Donors paying higher rates
of income tax or capital gains tax can claim relief when completing
their tax forms.
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From
one generation to another
The RTWSO relies on legacies and donations to
continue its work of presenting orchestral
concerts. And we gently ask you to remember the
Friends of the RTWSO in your will, so that your love of orchestral
music can benefit future generations.
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A
Friend’s testimonial
To the Chairman:
'...We have been regular attendees of RTWSO
concerts since arriving in the area in early 1994. We tentatively
attended one concert - it included Freddy Kempf's memorable Tchaikovsky
No.1 - and from then on we were hooked. The orchestra's playing has
proved always to be at the least very good; it is often excellent; and
on occasions, not just that first concert but many times thereafter,
the playing is electrifying, leaving the music still buzzing around in
one's head several days after the concert.
Please pass on our thanks to members of the Orchestra for all the
enjoyable Sunday afternoons that they have given us. Please also
compliment them on their high level of music-making. Finally, please
encourage them to continue to play, and encourage audiences to continue
to listen...'
Mr R. Griffiths
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