Previous Newsletter

September 2008

HOLLAND TOUR Another successful tour where the 3 concerts at Enkhuisen, Het Bos Theatre and the Westerkerk Cathedral were well attended with appreciative audiences despite the overhead airplanes at Het Bos. The acoustics in the cathedral were particularly amazing. We were lucky enough to receive good publicity and press, very good accommodation and excellent food. After the Het Bos Theatre everyone was remarking on how well behaved the students were with utter surprise. (What must Dutch children be like?!)

2009 TOUR To put everyone in the picture early as regards next year’s tour, it is proposed that we go to Wetzlar about 20/21st – 26th July. The week before we travel (about 15th/16th July) approx. 20 members from the Wetzlar Music School would like to come here to rehearse with us and then do a joint concert at the end of the week. We will be looking for families who might be interested in offering accommodation to any of these members. (Confirmation of dates nearer the time).

GALA CONCERT AT ST. BOTOLPHS A big ‘thank you’ to all those who came to support the grand finale of our musical year. We were treated to a varied programme ranging from Bizet, Dvorak and Bartok to Nigel Hildreth’s own Rustic Rhapsody. The second half consisted of such well known popular classics as the Dambusters March, Music from Chicago and not forgetting our old favourites, Themes from 007 and by popular demand from the M.O. Pirates of the Caribbean (again!). Congratulations to Tom Evans who deservedly received the Sir Malcolm Arnold trophy for his commitment and enthusiasm, heroically switching from Clarinet to Percussion relatively recently. A double CD will be available for £2 from Nigel shortly. We realise that holding this concert on a Friday evening of the first week of term was quite gruelling for the orchestra and we will be holding this concert on a Saturday evening next year.

WEDDING PARTY AT ST. EDMUNDS COURT The wedding guests and bride and groom were absolutely delighted with your performance and behaviour at this very special event. The groom was particularly pleased and showed his appreciation by having a ‘whip-round ‘ amongst his guests to give to the orchestra players some pocket money. You mastered his special request, the theme from Rocky Going To Fly admirably! Thank you to all those who helped transport equipment too..

OPEN REHEARSAL and PIZZA LUNCH SUNDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER - M.O. and T.O. -See Programme of Events This is a chance for you to invite your friends to come along and try out the orchestras. Strings and brass are needed for the M.O. but there may be problems with clarinets and flutes as occurred last year. Anyone in the T.O. wanting to move up should go to the Training Orchestra for the first part, then, under guidance from Beverly and Chris could move to the main orchestra from 12:00, eat the Pizza Lunch and try the M.O. in the afternoon as well. Nigel will be particularly concerned that members are going to be committed and reliable as much as anything else.

REHEARSAL and AGM SUNDAY OCTOBER 19TH – (M.O. AND T.O – See Programme of Events ) Parents are invited to come in and hear the orchestra play from 3.00 to 3.30 before the AGM at 3.30. Thank you to all those who have volunteered to help either on the Committee or as a useful pair of hands.

OYSTER FEAST FRIDAY OCTOBER 31ST – MOOT HALL – COLCHESTER (M.O. ONLY) (11.00 – 5.00 approx.)

Please let Nigel know if you can attend this prestigious event attended by the Mayor and usually one or two well known faces. Lunch is provided. Only a small amount of room but we need all instruments to be represented. Nigel will be writing separately about this.

CHARITY EVENT (MO) Moot Hall Friday 7th November Nigel will be writing separately about this.

ST. MARKS WEEKEND (M.O. ONLY)– SAFFRON WALDEN: NOVEMBER 14th–16th. We have only just learned that some of the orchestra will be on a German Tour at the same time that we have planned this weekend. We only learned of this clash by chance: no one thought to let us know! Despite the clash we will still have a fun, musical weekend

FULL SIZE ZELLER CELLO FOR SALE: Please contact Sue Tweddell on 01206-573891 or email her on tweddell5@btopenworld.com.

NOT ABLE TO ATTEND? Ring 07957 153174, the CVYO mobile no. for parents and members to use (both M.O. and T.O.) should they need to contact the MO or TO at rehearsals, on tours, at concerts etc. If you are unable to attend on the morning of a rehearsal, please let Nigel and Beverley know. Nigel can still be contacted by email on hildrethnigel@colchsfc.ac.uk or by telephone at the college on 01206-500733.