Adrian Barrott, Vice-Chair

Adrian worked in a variety of roles for over 25 years in the British Council, including grant-making and information provision for its performing arts department (music).  He left the Council in 2010 to become West Sussex Volunteer Hub Co-ordinator supporting volunteer centres in their work across Sussex, including involvement in the 2012 London Games. 

He joined Sussex Community Foundation in 2013 where he is a Grants Officer, with responsibility amongst other things for the Westdene Fund.  This provides grants to talented young musicians, who he says are ‘…great ambassadors, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable about music’. A fervent advocate of the voluntary sector his job brings him into regular contact with a wide range of charities and groups doing remarkable work supporting communities across Sussex.  He says, ‘I am full of admiration for the people who work in this sector, such as Ensemble Reza and the selfless work they do to make a difference to the lives of so many people.  It’s truly humbling and a privilege to play a part in that.’

A former school governor at primary and secondary level Adrian became a trustee of Ensemble Reza early in 2020, taking over as Acting Chair in the summer. He has a particular interest in community orchestras and choral activities, both as a current member of Ensemble Reza’s community orchestra and previously, performing with H2O in Horsham.  Living in Crawley, Adrian’s interests include cycling, bird watching, reading, cricket and playing the trombone. 

If stranded on a desert island his luxury item would be a good supply of quality writing paper and a nice fountain pen (and ink) and the one disc he’d save from being washed away, ‘…that’s hard one’ he says ‘ but I think it would have to be the Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams.’