Class - 15th January

Large ensemble pieces:

• 'Panis Angelicus' by Cesar Franck (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'St. Paul's Suite' by Gustav Holst (Arr. H. Brammer)

Small group items:

• 'Trio Op. 87' by Beethoven - Emily, Kath & Polly
• 'Countryside' by Keith Amos - Heather, Alison, Penny, Judy & Helen
• 'Trio Sonata in D Minor' by Boismortier - Diana, Mike & Imogen
• 'Santis' by Chris Barron (Arr. H. Brammer) - Maureen, Theresa, Nicola, Rod, John & Angela

Class - 16th October

Large ensemble pieces:

• 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
• ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
• 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev

Small group items:

• 'Maya' by Ian Clarke - Heather, Helen & Angela
• 'Trio Op. 87' by Beethoven - Emily, Kath & Polly
• 'Dance Suite' by Michael Regan - Alison, Penny, Judy & Diana
• 'Summertime' from 'Porgy & Bess' by Gershwin (Arr. H. Brammer) - Annabel, Edward, Theresa, Nicola, John, Mike & Imogen

Class - 9th October

Large ensemble pieces:

• 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
• ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
• 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev

Small group items:

• 'A Spring Rondo' by Mozart (Arr. A Collins) - Penny, Judy & Imogen
• 'Andante in C' by Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer) - Heather, Emily, Kath, Polly, Rod, John & Diana
• 'Allegro molto' by Beethoven (Arr. H. Brammer) - Lucy, Edward, Theresa, Nicola, Mike & Angela

Class - 2nd October

Large ensemble pieces:

• 'Toy Symphony' by Leopold Mozart
• ''Sinfonia' & 'Chorale' from 'Christmas Oratorio' by J. S. Bach
• 'Troika' from 'Lieutenant Kije' by Prokofiev

Small group items:

• 'Serenade for Seven' by Ronald Hanmer - Alison, Lucy, Annabel, Helen, Theresa, Nicola & Mike
• Trio Op. 87 by Beethoven - Emily, Kath & Polly
• Sonata in D minor by Boismortier - Heather, Diana, Rod, Edward, John & Angela
• 'A Spring Rondo' by Mozart (Arr. A. Collins) - Penny, Judy & Imogen

Concert - 10th July

Our summer concert was attended by a 'select' audience, but they enjoyed a wonderful evening of music making. Here's what we played:

Programme

'Andante' from 'The Surprise Symphony' by Haydn (Arr. H. Brammer) – The Broken Consort

'Waltz' by Shostakovich (Arr. H. Brammer) – The Broken Consort

'The Maple Leaf Rag' & 'Marie Antoinette' by Scott Joplin (Arr. H. Brammer) – Penny Layland & Judy Skelton (Flutes); Theresa Hitching & Nicola Thompson (Clarinets)

'Allegro' from Concerto in D Minor by J. S. Bach (Arr. Jasmine Choi) – Heather Loebl & Helen Brammer (Flutes); & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Air' from 'Sacred Songs & Airs' by J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer) – Imogen Locke, Maureen Snell & Helen Brammer (Treble Recorders); Polly Kaufmann, Rod Lackey & John Marshall (Violins); Diana Locke (Double Bass); & Emily Johnson (Piano)

'Moderato, Grave & Vivace' from Quartet in G Major by Telemann – Heather Loebl (Flute); Annabel Crowe (Oboe); Emily Johnson (Violin); Mike Winterburn (Bassoon); Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Andantino & Allegro Assai' from Quintet in D Major by J. C. Bach – Heather Loebl (Flute); Diana Locke (Tenor Recorder); Polly Kaufmann (Viola); Mike Winterburn (Bassoon); & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Overture to Egmont' by Beethoven (Arr. H. Brammer) – The Broken Consort

Our 'dress rehearsal/run-through' at the last class helped to ensure that everything ran smoothly...the evidence has been uploaded to our YouTube Channel...although I'm afraid that I missed the end of the 'Overture to Egmont' (I can assure you that it was fabulous though!) We then enjoyed a traditional 'after-party' at Mike & Angela's - thank you for being wonderful hosts again!

Class - 3rd July

In a bid to look more 'polished' at our concert next week, we had a 'dress rehearsal/run'through' for our concert next week...so here's what we played:

• 'Andante' from 'The Surprise Symphony' by Haydn (Arr. H. Brammer) 
• 'Waltz' by Shostakovich (Arr. H. Brammer) 
• 'The Maple Leaf Rag' & 'Marie Antoinette' by Scott Joplin (Arr. H. Brammer) 
• 'Allegro' from Concerto in D Minor by J. S. Bach (Arr. Jasmine Choi) 
• 'Air' from 'Sacred Songs & Airs' by J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer) 
• 'Moderato, Grave & Vivace' from Quartet in G Major by Telemann 
• 'Andantino & Allegro Assai' from Quintet in D Major by J. C. Bach 
• 'Overture to Egmont' by Beethoven (Arr. H. Brammer)

Class - 19th September

We started a brand new term this week, which means some new music ('Waltz of the Flowers' from The Nutcracker' by Tchaikovsky) and revisiting some old favourites ('Chanson de Matin' and 'Chanson de Nuit' by Elgar). It was lovely to see (almost) everyone again after the summer break, and we welcomed back Penny who was absent last term.

Small group items:

• Trio Sonata in G major by Telemann - Penny, Kath, Diana & Angela
• Sonata in F major by Scarlatti - George, Imogen, Maureen, Margaret & Joan
• Two Minuets by Beethoven (Arr. H. Brammer) - Alison, Annabel, Theresa, Nicola, Rod, John & Mike

Concert - 11th July

We had a lovely summer's evening for our end of term concert,and a rather 'select' audience...although it did seem to grow during the course of the concert! If you weren't there, here's what you missed:

 

Programme

'Overture' to 'The Mastersingers of Nurenburg' – Richard Wagner (Arr. H. Brammer)

The Broken Consort

'Largo & Allegro' from Trio Sonata in G Minor – G. F. Handel

George Goodall & Imogen Locke (Treble Recorders); Margaret Willson ('Cello); & Joan Goodall (Piano)

'Variations on the theme “La ci darem la mano” from Mozart's “Don Giovanni” - Beethoven

Heather Loebl (Flute); Helen Brammer (Clarinet); & Mike Winterburn (Bassoon)

'A Musical Joke' – W. A. Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer)

Theresa Hitching, Nicola Thompson & Helen Brammer (Clarinets)

'Allegro moderato' from 'Brandenburg Concerto No. 3' – J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer)

The Broken Consort

'Send in the Clowns' – Stephen Sondheim (Arr. H. Brammer)

Theresa Hitching, Nicola Thompson (Clarinets); Kath Russell, Rod Lackey, John Marshall (Violins); Polly Kaufmann (Viola); Diana Locke (Double Bass); & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Largo & Allegro molto' from Concerto in C Major – Vivaldi

Heather Loebl, Judy Skelton (Flutes); Polly Kaufmann (Viola); Mike Winterburn (Bassoon); & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'March, Canzonetta & Tirolese' from 'Soirees Musicales' – Rossini/Britten (Arr. H. Brammer)

The Broken Consort

We of course enjoyed an 'after party' hosted once again by Mike and Angela (thank you!), with delicious food and drinks.

I filmed the concert, and the videos have been uploaded to our YouTube channel, so if you fancy having a look (or re-living the occasion!) click the link in the sidebar to watch them.

We will be having some 'Summer Music' gatherings over the course of the summer break, starting with a visit to Nicola's on the 1st of August.

Class - 4th July

It was the last class before our concert this week, so despite the fact we were missing a few players, we put the finishing touches to our laarge ensemble pieces, and also managed to get through most of the small group pieces too!

Small group items:

• 'Variations on "La ci darem la mano" from Mozart's "Don Giovanni"' by Beethoven - Heather, Helen & Mike
• 'Send in the Clowns' by Stephen Sondheim - Kath, John, Polly, Diana & Angela
• Trio Sonata in G Minor by Handel - George, Imogen, Margaret & Joan
• Sonatas for Two Flutes by Telemann - Judy & Maureen
• Concerto in C Major by Vivaldi - Heather, Judy, Polly, Mike & Angela
• 'Rondeau' by Mouret - Maureen, Diana, Kath & John

Class - 20th June

We're still working away on our large ensemble pieces, and everything is starting to come together nicely...there are even some dynamics starting to creep in!

Small group items:

• 'Variations on "La ci darem la mano" from Mozart's "Don Giovanni" by Beethoven - Heather, Helen & Mike
• 'Send in the Clowns' by Stephen Sondheim - Theresa, Nicola, Kath, Rod, John, Diana & Angela
• Concerto No. 5 by Pepusch - Alison, Judy, George, Imogen, Margaret & Joan

Class - 16th May

We were reuntied this week, and it was time to try our final large ensemble piece...'Overture' to 'The Mastersingers of Nurenburg' by Wagner...despite the fact that I've edited it (and cut quite a lot out!) it's still fairly epic! We were missing a few people this week, but still managed to make good progress with our other pieces.

Small group items:

• 'Summer Sketches' by Alfred Castle - Alison, Polly, Theresa & Nicola
• 'Variations on "La ci darem la mano" from Mozart's "Don Giovanni"' by Beethoven - Heather, Helen & Mike
• Trio Sonata in G Major by Telemann - Judy, Kath & Joan
• Quartet in C Minor by Schickhardt - George, Imogen, John, Dinana & Angela

Class - 18th April

We had our first rehearsal of the new term last night...so that meant new music...or rather 'old' music as we started with some pieces from 'Soirees Musicales' by Rossini/Britten that we're 're-visiting' in honour of the centenary of Britten's birth. We shall also be celebrating a bicentenary...with some Wagner...and...after a quick vote last night...looking again at some J. S. Bach this term.

Small group items:

• Sonata in C by Gottfried Keller - George, Annie, Judy, Imogen, Maureen, Kath, Rod, Annabel, John, Diana & Joan
• 'Gavotte & Minuet' from 'Bach for Three' (Arr. Neil Butterworth) - Theresa, Nicola & Anya
• 'Variations on 'La ci darem la mano' from Mozart's 'Don Giovani'' by Beethoven - Heather, Helen & Mike
• Trio Sonata in G Minor by Telemann - Alison, Polly, Margaret & Angela

Some of the videos from our concert last term have now found their way on to our YouTube Channel...we can now be experienced in HD! I'd like to say a huge thank you to Stephen for filming and editing the videos!

Class - 15th November

Ooops...totally forgot to do this (again!).
With the concert only a couple of weeks away, everything is coming together nicely...and we even managed to get through the opening section of 'Les Patineurs' without me stamping my foot to keep us in time! 

Small group items:

• '1920's Ragtime Bassoons' by Mike Walton - Mike, Helen, Margaret & Diana
• Sonata in F major by Schickhardt - Heather, Imogen, Margaret & Joan
• 'Sarabande' from 'Suite 11' by Handel - Judy, George, Maureen, Dermot, Kath, John & Mike
• 'Allegro molto' by Beethoven (Arr. H. Brammer) - Penny, Polly, Theresa & Angela

Class - 10th May

We almost had a 'full house' at this week's class, and are making real progress with our large ensemble pieces. We picked up speed in 'Crown Imperial', and even the rhythms in 'Olympic Fanfare & Theme' seemed less daunting a week on!

Small group items:

• Sonata for Four Treble Recorders by Paisible - Imogen, Penny, Judy, Diana & Joan
• 'Allegro molto' by Beethoven (Arr. H. Brammer) - Heather, Annabel, Kath, Theresa, Dermot & Angela
• 'The Witches Frolic' by Granville Bantock - Margaret, Mike & Helen

Next week's class should be interesting - we're split between two locations again!

Class - 12th January

We were joined by some of last week's absentees this evening, as we continued working on our new ensemble pices...'Fantasia on Greensleeves' (by Vaughan Williams) and 'Irish Tune from County Derry' & 'Shepherd's Hey' (by Grainger) - it may take us some time to get that last one up to speed!

Small group items:

• 'Charlie is my Darling' from 'Four Old Tunes' by Gordon Jacob - Heather, Annabel, Theresa & Mike
• No. 6 from 'Sechs Menuetti' by Beethoven - Kath, Emily & Margaret
• Sonata in F Major by Schickhardt - Penny, Judy, Diana, Dermot & Angela