The Endcliffe Orchestra

Arrangements for Alight

martin.lightowler — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:52:28 +0000

This Sunday – 26th Feb – please be ready to start the rehearsal at 12.30 in the City Hall. Our part of the rehearsal is scheduled to finish at 3.30. If you are worried (as I am) about when you might grab a bite to eat, there should be a gap from about 12.45 to 2.00 when other ensembles will be rehearsing.

On the day of the concert – Saturday 3rd March – please be ready to start the rehearsal at 9.00. It is scheduled to finish at 12.30. Concert is at 7.30.

It would be very helpful to have a few people arrive early for both of the above to help set up. Please let me know if you are able to do this. Thanks.

If you’d like me to send you the sheets from Rachel the organiser with information for performers, let me know.

Martin

Calling First Violins

martin.lightowler — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:28:50 +0000

Susannah Simmons will be taking the 1st violin sectional on March 5th and needs a lift afterwards to the railway station to get the 10.00 train to Manchester. Is there anyone who could give her a lift?

Thanks
Martin

Lost cap

sally.rhodes — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:58:25 +0000

Lost after city hall concert one blue cap with England badge on the front.

Sally Rhodes (2nd violin)

Practice Copy Music

lewis.noble — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:41:30 +0000

Music for the 4 ‘classical’ items (Prokofiev x 2, Offenbach, Bizet) has now all been returned / accounted for, and is on its way back to libaries / hirers – thanks.

While sorting the music out, I came across quite a bit of copied music, which people had made for private practice at home, page-turning purposes etc.

I do not like chucking it out – some is tatty but some very carefully prepared. I try and retain any copie I have of my parts, and keep them in case the Halle or BBC Symphony need me again sometime . . . .

Dream on, Lewis!!

Quick summary

Romeo and Juliet – Vln 1, Vln 2, some percussion
Peter and Wolf – Vln 1, some percussion, Vln 2
Can Can – Vln 1, 2, and percussion
Carmen – Vln 1, 2, and Viola.

I will bring these to the next rehearsal, but if anyone wants to ‘lay claim’ to them, get in touch. Later on, I will have to bin it.

Lewis
lewis@lewisnoble.f9.co.uk

Attendance

Ralph Dawson — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:09:37 +0000

Most of us lead busy lives, and the Committee appreciates the considerable level of commitment and effort players make to be present at rehearsals and concerts. The Orchestra sounds better when everybody attends regularly, so in the next few weeks some draft guidelines on attendance will be sent round to members. So far ideas include a minimum suggested rehearsal attendance ( 50%), a proposal for keeping principals and section leaders informed of your plans, and regular reminders for making sure your music arrives at rehearsal, even if you can’t!

The Committee welcomes further suggestions from members, with the aim of providing fair guidelines for all. This topic will be discussed at the next committee meeting ( 23^rd Feb), so if you have any suggestions please send them to me at ralphdawson@live.co.uk , or ring or text me on 07884 230673.

Thanks!

Ralph Dawson 14 Feb. 2012

Rehearsal Schedule

martin.lightowler — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:01:08 +0000

If you would like this in a convenient to print format, please send me an email request.

Endcliffe Rehearsal Schedule Feb – Easter 2012 - as at Feb ’12

Concerts: Saturday March 3^rd:

Rehearsal 9.00 – 12.30. Concert The City Hall – 7.30

Allen: Olympic Triptych

Parry: Jerusalem

Earwaker: Folk Song Suite

& Saturday May 12^th:Rehearsal 11.00. Concert Ecclesall Parish Church – 7.30

Beethoven: Violin Concerto

Shostakovich: Festive Overture

Delius: Summer Evening

Other dates for your diary:

May 6^th rehearsal for concert May 12^th

NB there IS a rehearsal on May 7^th – Bank Holiday – as it’s the last Monday before the concert!

Next Season Dates – Concerts December 22^nd & June 22^nd – extra rehearsals on the preceding Sunday afternoons: Dec 16^th & June 16^th

Feb 20 Shostakovich until 8.15 then Olympic Triptych, Jerusalem & Folk Song Suite

Sunday Feb 26 Alight rehearsal at the City Hall. Our part of the rehearsal starts at 12.30 (we must be ready to tune up and start then) and is due to finish at 3.30

Feb 27 the three Alight pieces

Saturday Mar 3 Alight Rehearsal and concert at City Hall. Dress Rehearsal starts promptly at 9.00. Due to finish at 12.30. Concert at 7.30

Mar 5 Sectional details TBA

Mar 12 Beethoven Violin Concerto first half starting with the 2^nd movement for about 20 minutes

After the break Delius

Mar 19 Sectional details TBA

Mar 26 Robin Ireland coming Beethoven first half starting with the 2^nd movement for about 20 minutes

After the break Shostakovich

All Plans Subject To Alteration – CHECK PREVIOUS REHEARSAL!!

Missing music – Strings

Mari Bullock — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:19:17 +0000

Although the returns have been excellent for the classical music, we are still missing several pieces of string music for the film/TV pieces. Please could you double check that the following are not hidden within other pieces of music:

Wallace and Gromit:

Violin 1 x 2 (numbered 36 and 37)
Violin 2 x 1 (numbered 38)
Cello x 1 (numbered 55)

Dr Who

Cello x 1

The Simpsons

Cello x 1

Pirates

Violin 1 x 2 (numbered 6/8 and 8/8)
Violin 2 x 2 (numbered 5/7 and 7/7)

Many thanks,
Mari

Procorda music course

Stuart.Green — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:43:09 +0000

We have received the following message about Procorda:

Subject: Chamber Music Course in Suffolk September 3rd – 6th 2012

Members of the Delme String Quartet with Christopher Hyde Smith (flute), Sarah Francis (oboe) and Wendy Phillips (bassoon) are holding their annual chamber music course at Leiston Abbey again this year. They are aiming to have at least 4 string quartets plus wind groups and pianists and are asking for applications now so that they can allocate groups – though some late applications may be possible.

I have been on this course many times – it started off at Keele University, then moved to Jackdaws (in Great Elm, Somerset) but has now been rehoused at Leiston Abbey. It is a good course to go on if you haven’t got a regular group that wants to go together (if you go as a group you may only play together for one of the 4-6 works studied). The groups and works to be studied are carefully allocated in advance and one is expected to practice the works in advance (to a certain extent!). Leiston Abbey is quite a beautiful venue and the accommodation and food is good enough – though most courses held there are for talented children. The atmosphere is very friendly and every evening ends around a keg of beer in the kitchen!

Unfortunately, I don’t think that I am able to afford to go this year – as my family is saving to complete the rebuild of our house – but I would recommend it to anyone wanting an inspiring holiday!

Bridget Dixon

Alight: Twilight details for 26th Feb & 3rd March

Stuart.Green — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:18:51 +0000

Alight Rehearsals for us – Sunday February 26th at the City Hall, we are required to be there from 12.30 – 3.30. ie to be ready to play from that time.

Saturday March 3rd Dress Rehearsal at the City Hall 9.00 – 12.30, for the concert commencing at 7.30.

The following is information sent to us about arrangements for the rehearsals and concert. You will need to click on the following link in order to open the document referred to:

Alight Information

The “Alight Information” document contains:

A schedule for the rehearsal on Sunday 26th Feb at the City Hall. NB Due to availabilities we will run Act 2 first, then Act 1.
An information sheet containing the details you will need for both 26th Feb & 3rd March.
A script of the show. Please use this to see when you are meant to be coming on and off the stage as well as the running order of the pieces. It will also give you a feel for what you are performing in, in turn giving you the information you need to promote ticket sales.

All the best – see you all on Sunday 26th February.

Rachel

Rachel Mallaband
Co-ordinator, Alight – part of Music Nation, a Countdown event for the London 2012 Festival, the finale of the Cultural Olympiad
Marketing & Publicity Officer, Sheffield Philharmonic Chorus
Email – Publicity@SheffieldPhil.org
Mobile – 07961 607183

Theo the Bear presents……..

jeremy.loeb — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:28:27 +0000

Can I thank everyone for participating in this concert. We sold 1329 tickets which is way more than I thought we would achieve. The thinking behind the concert was that we could show support for the Children’s Hospital by raising the profile of the fund raising campaign for a new ward block. This will relieve congestion on the existing wards where parents sleeping next to their children are in cramped conditions. We hope to provide more single room accommodation to provide privacy etc. We also wanted to raise the profile of the orchestra. Finally, and perhaps most importantly I guess for all of us , we wanted to inspire children to get involved in music. I think Martin and Rony, with all our help, achieved that brilliantly.

There were a few tense e-mails flying around on Saturday evening/Sunday morning – it really was a case of the show must go on and we held our breath to see if you all turned up for the morning rehearsal. I shouldn’t have worried – you all did and I know some of you had a lot of trouble to get in – so once again many many thanks.

Finally a big thanks to Theo. I think we only realised quite late on in the planning that audience participation would make the concert. The mini maestro showed that at Ecclesall Church. For those of you who may have thought we over did the Theo bit, I had in my madder moments asked Heather, my wife, whether she thought it would be a good idea to have Theo as an extra animal in Peter and the Wolf-you will be relieved to hear that she thought it was not a good idea…..

Jeremy

If you want to drink it, make it!!

Jenny Powell — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:25:37 +0000

The weekly tea and coffee rota has been going a little to pot (tea or coffee?!) lately. The rota is published on the website at the beginning of every term, and I try and put people together from different sections who wouldn’t normally meet to make it a more interesting experience! I know we have been distracted by concerts and not everyone is at all of every rehearsal due to scheduling of pieces, but can I ask you all to check if and when you are on the rota. If you are not able to do the evening you are down to do, that’s ok – as long as you do something about it! Preferrably try and swap with someone else, but if you can’t, please let me know and I will find someone else to take your place. Otherwise it ends up with the same helpful people who offer to step in when they see a gap, and it’s not fair to rely on them to make drinks for all of us on a regular basis. When it is your week, you need to bring a packet of biscuits (you can recoup the cost from Matt the treasurer) and a tea towel, and turn up a few minutes early to put out cups, turn on the water boiler etc. If you have any questions about it, please ask me.

Thank you to all those people who do do their turn, and who step in when there is a gap.

Jenny Powell

Running over and next week

martin.lightowler — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:21:36 +0000

I’d just like to remind you about the committee’s decision at a recent meeting about finishing times. As a rule they should finish promptly at 9.30 but that when approaching a concert later finish times will be necessary for musical reasons. Of course, anyone who needs to leave at 9.30 or earlier at any rehearsal is absolutely free to do so, you mustn’t feel you have to apologise or feel guilty, just slip out! It’s probably not escaped your notice that we’ve been ’approaching a concert’ since returning after Christmas and your patience, forbearance, hard work and good humour are greatly appreciated!

Also, its come to my attention that some people aren’t aware that next week is half term, so there is no rehearsal on Monday. Our next rehearsal is 20th February.

Calling all Cellists

martin.lightowler — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:19:46 +0000

From Helen Worsley – helen.worsley5@btinternet.com

We have just had confirmation of the recital programme – part of ‘Cello Day Sheffield 2012’ organised by ‘4strings88keys’ on Saturday 31^st March at High Storrs School Music and Drama Suite

Ben Gregor-Smith will play Kodály Cello Solo Sonata and Bach Cello Suite No.6

Ben will be joined by Bernard Gregor-Smith for the Handel Sonata for 2 cellos in G Minor

The Kodály and Bach 6 are two of the greatest and most challenging works for unaccompanied cello. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear these pieces performed. Ben will perform them soon in his Soloist Diploma Final Recital at Musik Akademie Basel. Last year Ben received the special European prize in the Witold Lutosławski International Cello Competition in Warsaw and he performed his stunning programme at the 2011 Cello Day.

Ben in currently applying for principal cello positions in leading orchestras.

Please see below for some YouTube tasters of the recital programme

Please see www.sheffield-cello.org for more details of tickets and cello day application forms etc.

This will be our 6^th Cello Day in Sheffield . Bernard Gregor-Smith (Musical Director and cellist of international standing) together with Ben Gregor-Smith, Helen Downham and Kathryn Winson will tutors for younger less experienced players. Karen Wentworth (Alexander Teacher) and Stefano Gibertoni (Instrument Maker) complete the team.

Kodály Cello Solo Sonata I. Mvt Janos Starker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MEUIGjfHNw

Bach – Cello Suite No.6 v-Gavotte Mischa Maisky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aMJ21HwlT0

Handel Sonata in G Minor Cello Duet an amateur duo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl5KKB_mL-U

High Storrs School is an excellent venue with ample parking, beautifully restored 1933 old building & brand new music and drama facilities. I think that the recital venue has very good acoustics (though sitting at the front may not be so good) and the sound can be heard perfectly in the adjacent refreshment area.

Please pass this on to other people who may be interested.

We are still taking bookings for the Cello Day as well as the recital.

Bridget Dixon
Treasurer 4Strings88Keys

Pirates of the Carribean, City Hall Video

eknutsen — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:02:15 +0000

Hi all,

Here is a link to a video of Pirates from the mezzanine (Circle??) at the City Hall on the 5th of February 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AVSuVbkvqY

Best wishes,

Eric

Calling Violinists & Cellists

martin.lightowler — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:20:58 +0000

Here’s a post from a Facebook group you may not be familiar with – ‘I’m looking for very competent Violinists or Cellists to play in a live orchestral soundtrack to the film Metropolis on the 26th April. We’re performing Gottfried Huppertz’s original epic masterpiece score! Great project to be involved in, musicians need to be free for rehearsals Thursdays 1-3 though. Send me a message if you’re interested!
Thanks’

Its from George Morton. If you’re interested you could let me know and I can put you in touch with George – or you could join the Facebook Group: Orchestral Players in Sheffield.

Further notices for this Sunday’s concert

martin.lightowler — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 22:58:09 +0000

Would some people come for 9.00 to help set up?
When you arrive: please enter by the Stage Door, which is at the rear of the City Hall. Barry and/or Tonya Kennedy (Stage manager, from the Hospital) will be there to sign you in & direct you to the ‘Green Room’.
Please arrive in plenty of time to allow for coping with the unfamiliarity of the venue. We must be tuning up for Pirates at 10.25, to start the tutti rehearsal promptly. The Brass ensemble rehearsal starts at 10.00 promptly, please.
Please provide yourself with refreshments for both the morning rehearsal and the concert. There is no access to the auditorium from back stage during the concert, so we will all have our interval back stage.
In the morning rehearsal it will be very important we rehearse logistical things like our entries and exits – as well as all the music! – so be prepared for that!

Enjoy!
Martin

Orchestral Players Required – Concerts with Chesterfield Bach Choir

Stuart.Green — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:49:11 +0000

We have received the following enquiry from the Chesterfield Bach choir:

My name is Paul Hayward and I am the director of the Chesterfield Bach Choir, chamber choir of c.24 singers who give concerts and cathedral visits each year. The choir is giving two major concerts this year, apart from their annual choral day and cathedral visits, and I am currently trying fix/find orchestral players to form a small orchestra to play with the choir for these two concerts. If you could pass this information to members of your organisation, I would be most grateful.

The choir specialises in music from the baroque era, although this is not exclusive. Last year, we performed a concert with a string orchestra including Haydn’s Little Organ Mass, Monteverdi’s Beatus Vir and Handel Coronation Anthems. In 2012, we are performing two concerts in Derbyshire venues on Saturday June 23rd and Saturday November 17th. The full programme details are given below,

I am looking for string players for both concerts, as well as two oboes and a bassoon for the November concert, to which the choir will add continuo players. Music will be sent out ahead of the day and we will rehearse on the day seperately and with the choir, but since this is a scratch orchestra, it could be hard to rehearse before the day – I don’t envisage any problems though as the music is not difficult to learn.

I’m afraid that we can’t offer a fee, but those who played last year will agree that we take care of our guests, feed and water them well and give them a comfortable place to relax and change between concert and rehearsal, as well as a good meal and a toke of appreciation at the end of the concert. The choir are also a very friendly bunch and are musically quite proficient, and are looking forward to another great season of concerts.

If you require any further information, please let me know!

Many thanks for your help with this matter.

Best wishes

Paul Hayward
p.hayward@gmail.com
Chesterfield Bach Choir

We are looking for small string ensemle + double bass if possible for both of the following concets, as well as two oboes and a bassoon for Nov 17.

The final music lists are below, with items requiring strings marked with a *

CONCERT ONE – SATURDAY 23rd JUNE 2012 – ST PETER’S CHURCH, EDENSOR (Chatsworth Estate) – Strings Only

Rehearsal c.2:00pm – 5:00pm, Concert 7:30pm

*Henry Purcell – Pavane Z.730 and Chaconne in g minor Z.752 (c.9 min) – Orchestra Only *Dietrich Buxtehude – Magnificat (c.8 mins) Robert Parsons – Ave Maria (c. 4 mins) *Antonio Lotti – Salve Regina (c.3.5 mins) Hans Leo Hassler – Motet et missa super dixit Maria (c.15 mins)

INTERVAL OF 20 MINUTES

Benjamin Britten – Hymn to the Virgin (c.3 mins) *Gabriel Rheinberger – Stabat Mater (c.15 mins) Sergei Rachmaninoff – Bogoroditse Devo (c. 3 mins) *Antonio Vivaldi – Magnificat (c.20 mins)

CONCERT TWO – SATURDAY 17th NOVEMBER 2012 – ST LAURENCE’S CHURCH, BOLSOVER – Strings, Oboes, Bassoon

Rehearsal c.2:00pm – 5:00pm, Concert 7:30pm

Ralph Vaughan Williams – The Truth From Above (c. 3 minutes)
Benjamin Britten – Hymn to the Virgin (c. 3 minutes)
*John Stainer – How beautfiful upon the mountains (c.3 minutes)
*Johann Sebastian Bach – “Wachet Auf” Cantata (c.30 minutes)

INTERVAL OF 20 MINUTES

*George Fredrick Handel – Extract from The Messiah (40 minutes)

Minutes of the committee meeting held 5th January 2012

Stuart.Green — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:01:46 +0000

Present

Sara Green (Chair)
Martin Lightowler
Mari Bullock
Ralph Dawson
Barry Fisher
Stuart Green
Matthew Lees
Helena Vassiliadis

1 No Apologies

2 Minutes of meeting Thursday 3 November 2011

Accepted as a true record

3 Matters Arising:

Action: Martin to request section leaders provide information by a deadline re members committed to doing the Alight concert. Matt to ascertain funding implications of concert.
Matt reported everyone owing subs had been contacted and all have paid/made arrangement to pay.
Coffee rota. Query re is this now working better? Action: Chris to check with Jenny.
Publicity sub committee: Children’s Hospital have utilised our flyer for their concert publicity.
Discussion with Polly Ives concluded that children best not invited to sit up at the front of the audience for concert.
Martin reported that two sectionals for violas are now organised, with Lindsey leading the first, and the viola section self-organising for the second.
Orchestra members indicated a clear ‘no’ to the suggestion of a second Robin Ireland concert.
Desk layout for second violins still unsettled. Action: Ralph and Alison to lead discussion with 2^nd violins in a coffee break to resolve.
Chris to contact John Earwaker’s wife after the Alight concert re possible publication of John’s music.

4 Update on new web site

Stuart reported the work is almost finished. Barry’s photos will be used to illustrate material on sectional rehearsals. A challenge is posed by members only section relating to question of accessibility to members’ blogs by non-orchestra people. Stuart anticipates a resolution to this very soon.

5 Update Publicity sub-committee

Helenacirculated the programme and was thanked by committee for her efforts. Programme will be 12 pages, colour front/back, cost approx. £250. Committee agreed to cost programme at £1 which should recover costs. Helena indicated she would be happy to take on the task of the next concert flyer with help. Committee discussed who to approach for the art work, use of photos in conjunction with internet images, focus to be on Robin Ireland in the publicity. Action: Barry to approach Robin for photo. Sara to check Robin’s fee. Barry to continue selling advertising space in the programme.

6 Request for extra rehearsal

Martin asked for this given the challenge of the music being undertaken. Committee agreed to extra rehearsal to be arranged in May.

7 Orchestra plans post May 2012

Martin outlined his suggestions: a big piece to work on May – July, possible pieces by Mozart, Saint Saen’s Organ symphony. May 2013 concert possibilities include Dvorak, Mendelssohn concerto, Brahms overture, Tchaikovsky. Christmas concert 2012 could include Anderson’s Christmas Festival, Troika from Nutcracker Suite, Skaters’ waltz, Corelli Christmas concerto and some carols. Britten’s centenary will occur 2013. Committee agreed a concert with the University around November 2013 to play some Britten. Action. Martin to identify piece. Mari to check with the university re their plans. A chamber music weekend was proposed for spring 2013, possible venue Greystones / Abbey Lane school. Action: Jeremy to be asked to discuss with Polly Ives re sourcing musicians (leaders and tutors). Mari to approach Jeremy with request to head up organisation of the weekend, Matt to check out possible cost implications.

8 Alight Concert

Covered previously in matters arising.

9 Concert dress

Alan Zinober had noted another orchestra’s dress – black shirts/tops and black bottoms and asked if this might be discussed re our orchestra. Committee agreed this might be considered for future concerts but concert dress for 14 January will be bright block colour tops/black bottoms. For Children’s hospital concert we need to ask their view. Action: Jeremy to ask hospital and report back. Martin to ask Robin re May concert dress.

10 Leaving the orchestra: system for logging information

Devising a system for this now becomes an issue with more people joining our waiting lists including two violinists for the first time. How do we know we have spaces? People who decide to leave us generally do not flag it up, but simply stop coming. Some people take a break but then wish to return. A full discussion followed which reviewed the range of possible motivations and commitments which members may bring to orchestral playing. It was agreed that orchestral playing requires a commitment to the collective orchestral body along with personal satisfaction and an understanding that non-attendance of an individual player (bona fide reasons notwithstanding) does affect the wider orchestral group. The orchestra is clearly more than the sum of its constituent parts. Action: Ralph to meet with section leaders and devise strategy to check on persistent absentees. The committee’s discussion minuted here alerts members to the waiting lists and possibility of replacement. The committee will consider a minimum attendance rule (50%?) for concert performance playing. Individual members are asked to recognise their responsibility to inform their section leader every time they cannot attend, and for non-string players this should include a commitment to finding a substitute if possible.

11 A.O.B.

Item for next agenda – resurrection of annual orchestral meal.
Percussionist has requested parts scored and posted to him. Action: Mari.
It was confirmed that the principal cellist for January concert is Helen, now returned from maternity leave.

12 D.O.M.

Thursday 23 February 2012,191 Millhouses Lane.

CS/draftmins/5Jan12

Sunday Morning Rehearsal

martin.lightowler — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:01:24 +0000

Sunday Feb 5^th:

Running Order – Morning Rehearsal @ City Hall

10.00 Brass Ensemble

10.30 Pirates of the Caribbean

Wallace and Gromit

The Simpsons

Dr Who

March from Romeo and Juliet

March from Carmen

Can Can

11.30 Peter & the Wolf

Next Monday

martin.lightowler — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:00:49 +0000

The rehearsal schedule for Monday’s rehearsal is First half of rehearsal: Slow Movement for the Beethoven Violin Concerto followed by the 1st and 3rd movements. After the break: Delius Summer Evening, Earwaker Folk Song Suite, Olympic Triptych.