Newsletter, September 2005
The AGM of the Friends March 3rd 2005
The draft minutes of the AGM are overleaf (but not on Website).
Shortly after the AGM Mrs Shirley Ridout who, with her husband John, has been a Friend of the Orchestra for a number of years, agreed to become (Acting) Treasurer, and Andrew Chapman agreed to become (Acting) Chairman. In order to confirm them in post (and consider any other candidates), there will be an Extra-ordinary General Meeting on October 20th at 8.45pm, at Prestbury St Mary's Junior School, during a break in an orchestra rehearsal. Any other nominations for the posts of Chairman and Treasurer should be sent to the Secretary of the Friends, Ron Nourse, email ron@nourse.fsnet.co.uk or at Berry Brow, Bushcombe Lane, Woodmancote, Cheltenham, GL52 9QQ.
Some comments on recent concerts
The Orchestra and its soloists drew much praise from audiences and the Press for its concerts in the second half of the 2004-2005 season:
February 12th at St Philip and St James Church, Leckhampton, Cheltenham
"In Prelude à L'après-midi d'un faune the woodwind excelled and the strings gave a warm tone. Berlioz's Nuits d'été - require subtlety of interpretation and skill of performance, both found in the singing of Melanie Armitstead. As well as communicating constantly with her audience she introduced a variety of vocal colours to heighten the emotional impact" (Anne Dunne, Gloucestershire Echo).
March 12th at All Saints' Church, Cheltenham
"A highlight of our year"..."Your programme was brilliantly balanced in texture and taste" [Ed: Debussy, Brahms and Messiaen]. "When we heard the musical interpretation [of the Messiaen "L'Ascension] we were stunned by an amazing experience". (Denise Forder, Secretary of Gloucestershire Arthritis Trust).
Denise made the very valid point (applicable also to the concert on February 12th in aid of Sue Ryder Care) that "in these times it is as important for a charity to promote communications and goodwill as it is to raise cash. The one often follows the other. In every respect, therefore, this was a major success".
May 7th at Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham
Of Samantha Ward's performance of the Grieg Piano Concerto, Roger Jones (Gloucestershire Echo) said "[she] pulled no punches. Starting with a dramatic flourish, she treated her audience to a succession of musical thrills, interspersed with lyrical interludes of the utmost delicacy. Her playing of the slow movement worked a charm with gentle support from the orchestra, and then she unleashed a display of pianistic fireworks which culminated in the grandest of climaxes. This was a performance and a half."
He added: "In Petrushka, David Curtis' attention to detail paid off and the crisp, precise and committed playing of the musicians conjured up vividly the imagery evoked by Stravinsky's masterpiece".
To make the day even more memorable, the Orchestra had the pleasure, in the afternoon, of playing at the wedding in the Pump Room of Mary, daughter of Jill and Andrew Chapman.
July 2nd at Leonard Stanley Priory
The Orchestra ended its season on a high note, accompanying 16-year-old Ashok Gupta, Gloucestershire Young Musician 2005, in his dazzling performance of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Of the whole concert, Jill Hutchings of "Music at the Priory" said "The Orchestra seems to go from strength to strength, and the visit is one of the highlights of our season".
Concerts in the second half of 2005
October 15th in Tewkesbury Abbey at 7.30pm
The orchestra is to give the world premiere performance of a Cello Concerto composed by Andrew Chapman, himself a cellist and long-serving member of the Orchestra, also the Orchestra's Secretary and (Acting) Chairman of the Friends. [Ed: Where does he find the time?]
The soloist will be the well-known local cellist Emma Denton (formerly Lumsden).
In the same concert the Orchestra, joined by soloists Susan Black (soprano) and Diana Moore (mezzo soprano) and an invitation choir, will perform Mahler's epic Second Symphony ("Resurrection").
Tickets from the Abbey Shop, Church Street, Tewkesbury, 01684 276655 and at the door.
October 29th at Pershore Abbey at 7.30pm
The programme will be: Mozart's Magic Flute Overture, Copland's Appalachian Spring and Brahms' 3rd Symphony.
Tickets from FOAG Office 01905 830745, and at the door.
December 17th at Pittville Pump Room at 7.30pm
The Orchestra will again be joined by the choir of Leckhampton Primary School in what promises to be another hugely popular event. Please note that this year there will be reserved numbered seating in the Main Hall - £12 for adults, £5 for students and accompanied children free but ticketed. In the Apse seats will be unreserved - £7 for adults, £4 for students, accompanied children free.
SO BOOK EARLY TO BE SURE OF THE BEST SEATS!
Tickets only from Town Hall Box Office, 01242 227979