Not only was today's music comparatively new to the orchestra, but there was a different face at the rostrum. Maestro Steve Dummer is but one of a series of special guests invited to rehearse and conduct the orchestra, which he did with great aplomb.

The orchestra is indeed fortunate to welcome such a plethora of new musical talent but equally it owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the vision, wit and experience of Robin Page, who has been at the helm for the past ten years. Robin and his wife will be relocating to Scotland, where he may well continue to wield his baton and give pleasure to hundreds.

The orchestra is also fortunate to retain the loyalty and expertise of its leader of some 20 years: Rita French, who featured today as soloist in the enormously challenging violin concerto by Czech composer Antonin Dvorak. Better known for his New World Symphony and his Slavonic Dances, Dvorak incorporates much of his country's special melodic, rhythmic and harmonic style into this beautiful and dramatic work, which certainly deserves to be heard more often.

Bruckner's mighty third symphony, dedicated to Richard Wagner, was also a revelation to Worthing musicians and the audience. As expected, the augmented brass and woodwind sections played a huge part here, with glowing warmth alternating with majestic flourishes.

Steve Dummer is well-known for his witty, pithy, yet highly informative introductions, and here he couldn't resist drawing the audience into the music beforehand, in his own inimitable way. Mention must also be made of Andrew Marshall's excellent programme notes.

Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra deserves every support and encouragement in its ventures, and always welcomes new members and audiences.