History

Claud Powell, the founder of the CPCO, began as a singer, singing teacher and conductor, and founded numerous musical companies and societies, including the Guildford Symphony Orchestra (1919) and the Claud Powell Light Opera Ltd company (1935). His long career expressed his strong beliefs in musical education of the public, in the encouragement of decentralised, provincial musical events, and in the fostering of British music (both ‘folk’ music and new composition) until his death in 1959.

In 1919, the Guildford School of Music (founded c.1910) was purchased and renamed the County School of Music, by Claud Powell and Dorothy Owen, a pianist, fellow music professor and musical colleague since 1912. Premises were leased at St Nicolas’ Parish Hall in Buryfields, alongside the Bellairs Ballet school. This then became the headquarters for many musical activities. By 1920, Claud Powell’s responsibilities in Guildford alone were listed in a newspaper item as the Guildford Symphony Orchestra, conductorship of Guildford Choral Society (established 1841), Shalford Choral Society, Merrow Choral Society and Guildford Military Band. In 1932 he founded the Guildford Repertory Theatre, with notable alumni such as Sir Michael Redgrave, Kenneth Williams and Patricia Routledge. Dorothy Owen continued to be involved in the County School of Music until its closure in 1985.

The Claud Powell Chamber Orchestra continues to bear his name to this day. Previous conductors included Pat Dixon, David Stone and Professor Sebastian Forbes. Since February 2023, Matthew Lloyd-Wilson has taken over as regular conductor.