History
Lancing Chamber Orchestra was formed in 1948, originally as Lancing Orchestral Society, and has ever since performed as Lancing’s local orchestra. As an amateur orchestra, we welcome local musicians from both Lancing and surrounding areas.
From 1965-2005, the orchestra was conducted by Music Director Tony King, a local player who also held a seat in the Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra.
After he stepped down, Ruth Summers continued the development of the orchestra, and brought with her, as a professional oboist, an exceptional stability and invaluable musical contribution until 2023, where she conducted her last concert with the orchestra finishing the season at St. Michael and All Angels Church in Lancing.
In September 2023, the orchestra welcomed the young Laura Kjærgaard-Grier as Music Director. As a Danish saxophonist, she has a strong background in working with wind and brass players. Her strong, professional relationship with the orchestra’s leader, Rob Campkin, continues to encourage refinement of all members’ skills as both soloists and ensemble players.
Laura Kjærgaard-Grier, Music Director
Born in Denmark, Laura Kjærgaard-Grier (b. 1996) first studied conducting at the prestigious Malko Academy for Young Conductors, working with musicians and singers from the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, where tutors included Fabio Luisi, Manfred Honeck, Juanjo Mena, Thomas Søndergård, and Michael Schønwandt. Other tutors throughout her conducting career include Mark Heron, Rodolfo Saglimbeni, Dominic Grier, and Denise Ham.
She holds a BMus from the Royal Danish Academy of Music (Copenhagen) and a PGDip from the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester), both in classical saxophone. At these institutions, she also studied conducting, performance psychology and music management.
For many years, Laura has been invested in local music making through serving on the boards and committees of various orchestras and bands. In 2012, she co-founded the Danish Youth Wind Orchestra which she chaired for seven years, and in 2021 she co-founded the Girton Conducting Course (Cambridge), of which she is is now Co-Director and Administrator.
Today, she works full time as Artist Coordinator for HarrisonParrott in London, representing world renowned conductors and instrumentalists, and in January 2023 she founded her own agency, AriseEnsembles, creating performance opportunities for student ensembles.
Rob Campkin, Leader
Rob began his violin studies in Worthing with Katharine Adams, before continuing his education at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. He later studied with Barna Kobori in Vienna, and with Peter Poole in Sussex. He is currently preparing for an LRSM with Stephanie Gonley.
Rob frequently performs recitals around the South Coast with pianist Evelina Ndlovu, most recently at Chapel Royal and St Nicholos in Brighton. He has performed in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, Hammersmith Apollo, and Ronnie Scot’s, collaborating with musicians including Boris Brovtsyn, Richard Durrant, Tom Gamble, Dominic Grier, Maxwell Thorpe, and Omar Puente.
Rob has a longstanding association with Zoe Peate’s Cantatrice Choir, performing as violin soloist at venues in West Sussex and London.
Rob has taught violin and piano in London, Paris, and in Prague, and is currently a peripatetic teacher at Lancing Prep in Worthing.
