The Friends of Reigate Summer Music

The Friends of Reigate Summer Music (FRSM) was set up in 2001 with the aim of "advancement of the education of the public in the art of music by the promotion, support and assistance of The Music Trust in its work concerned with the Reigate Summer Music Festival."

By joining the Friends, you can make a tangible difference to the breadth of art which Reigate Summer Music is able to present, and enjoy a number of benefits. Friends receive an invitation to The Friends' Reception at the Philharmonic Firework Spectacular concert in Priory Park, this allows access to the arena 15 minutes before the public via a special Friends Gate so you can avoid the queues. In addition, you'll receive at least 10% discount on selected events organised by The Friends.

Since its creation the Friends' group has held various fundraising social activities including an Italian Lunch at The Bridge House Hotel, with live opera arias, 2 Burn's Nights, a quiz evening, and two Christmas Carol Suppers. These take place in public venues as well as in private houses. We also organised the programme draw at Reigate Summer Music.

As a result of these efforts, together with the receipts from the Friends' membership fees, and the goodwill shown by various Reigate retailers, we were able to support The Children's Concert at the 2004 Reigate Summer Music with £2000 of contingency funding. Without this support and the two minor grants from Toyota and R&B Arts Council this concert would not have taken place. The concert was a great success musically as well as being a complete sell-out.

Benjamin Grosvenor, aged 11, 2004 piano section winner of the BBC Young Musician Competition, was piano soloist, with members of The Festival Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Darrell Davison. David Leonard, well known performer on stage, screen and television, narrated Peter and the Wolf. The concert ended with indoor fireworks and the Can Can, and a delightful, impromptu performance of the dance by a young audience member.