Summer Music @ Maureen's

Our final summer music session of the year was hosted by Maureen...here's what we played:

• 'Scottish Dance No. 3' by Malcolm Arnold
• 'Elizabethan Serenade' by Ronald Binge
• 'Alla Hornpipe' from 'The Water Music' by Handel
• 'Allegro assai' from 'Brandenburg Concerto No. 2' by J. S. Bach
• Overture to 'The Mastersingers of Nurenburg' by Wagner
• 'Mack the Knife' from 'The Threepenny Opera' by Kurt Weill
• 'Toccata' from 'Pulcinella' by Stravinsky
• 'Serenade' by Derek Bourgeios
• 'Crown Imperial' by William Walton
• 'The Old Castle' from 'Pictures at an Exhibition' by Mussorgsky
• 'Overture Miniature' from 'The Nutcracker' by Tchaikovsky

Once again we enjoyed some delicious food (and drinks) after our exertions...many thanks to Maureen for having us!

Concert - 12th July

We enjoyed a wonderful evening of music making last night at our summer concert. Our audience was rather 'select', but appreciative nonetheless - thank you to those of you who braved the monsoon like conditions to support us! If you weren't there, here's what we played:

Programme

'Olympic Fanfare & Theme' – John Williams (Arr. H. Brammer)

The Broken Consort

'Serenade' – Derek Bourgeios (Arr. H. Brammer)

The Broken Consort

'Conversations 1, 2 & 3' for Two Flutes – Richard Rodney Bennett

Penny Layland & Judy Skelton (Flutes)

'Andante & Allegro' from Sonata in G major – Fasch

Heather Loebl & Helen Brammer (Flutes); Imogen Locke (Treble Recorder); Margaret Willson ('Cello) & Joan Goodall (Piano)

'Allegro' (from Sonata K279) – Mozart (Arr. James 'Red' McLeod)

Helen Brammer, Theresa Hitching & Dermot Stone (Clarinets)

'Valse Harmonique' – Simon Ballard

Heather Loebl (Flute; Helen Brammer (Clarinet); & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Adagio & Rigadon' from Sonata in D minor – Schickhardt

Judy Skelton (Flute); Diana Locke (Tenor Recorder); Kath Russell (Violin); Mike Winterburn (Bassoon); & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'The Witches Frolic' – Granville Bantock

Margaret Willson ('Cello); Mike Winterburn (Bassoon); & Helen Brammer (Bass Clarinet)

'Allegro moderato' from Sonata in Bb major – Janitsch

Penny Layland (Flute); Annabel Crowe (Oboe); Polly Kaufmann (Viola); & Imogen Locke (Piano)

Tarantelle Italienne – Léon d'Ourville

Angela Ayton & Imogen Locke (Piano)

'Crown Imperial' – William Walton (Arr. H. Brammer)

The Broken Consort

There was, of course, an after concert party where much delicious food was consumed - thanks to our hosts Angela and Mike for a lovely end to the evening.

I filmed the concert, and have already edited some of the footage and uploaded it to our YouTube channel, the rest will be added over the next few days - I'll post a message on here once they've all been uploaded.

Class - 5th July

**Apologies...I wrote and (I thought) published this on Saturday, but just discovered it was still a draft post***

It was our last rehearsal before the concert on Thursday, so it was all systems go! We began by rehearsing our large ensemble pieces...I filmed those, and will be adding the videos to our YouTube Channel soon. Then we managed to whizz through nearly all of the small group pieces too:

• Sonata in G major by Fasch - Heather, George, Imogen, Margaret & Joan
• 'Allegro' (from Sonata K279) by Mozart (Arr. James 'Red' McLeod) - Helen, Theresa & Dermot
• 'Valse Harmonique' by Simon Ballard - Heather, Helen & Angela
• Sonata in D minor by Schickhardt - Judy, Diana, Kath, Mike & Angela
• Sonata in Bb major by Janitsch - Penny, Annabel, Polly & Imogen

Class - June 28th

Sorry this is so late...I've been having a few problems with my internet, but fingers crossed it's sorted now! Anyway, there was some serious rehearsing going on at this week's class...the concert is drawing near, and we almost had a 'full house'.  Our large ensemble pieces are almost there, we're just putting the finishing touches to those...although we've not heard them with everyone present yet, and there's only one more rehearsal before the concert!

Small group items:

• 'Allegro' (from 'Sonata K279') by Mozart (Arr. James 'Red' McLeod) - Helen, Theresa & Dermot
• Sonata in G major by Fasch - Heather, George, Imogen, Maragret & Joan
• Sonata in D minor by Schickhardt - Diana, Kath, Mike & Angela
• Sonata in Bb major by Janitsch - Penny, Annabel & Polly

Class - 21st June

We worked hard on our large ensemble pieces again last night...although we've still not managed to have a rehearsal with everyone present. They've all improved greatly from our first readings - it was even remarked that our 'Olympic Fanfare & Theme' was "rather stirring in places"!

Small group items:

• 'Prelude & Fugue' (Book 1, No. 24) by J. S. Bach - Judy, Diana & Mike
• Sonata in Bb major by Janitsch - Penny, Annabel, Polly & Imogen
• Sonata in D minor by Boismortier - George, Kath, Theresa & Joan
• 'Valse Harmonique' by Simon Ballard* - Heather, Helen & Angela

*See this link for information on Simon Ballard

Class - 14th June

We were almost up to 'full strength' at this week's rehearsal...and we spent lots of time working on our large ensemble pieces...'Crown Imperial', 'Olympic Fanfare & Theme' and 'Serenade'...with all the expression added, they're beginning to sound good!

Small group items:

• 'TheWitches Frolic' by Granville Bantock - Margaret, Mike & Helen
• Sonata in G major by Fasch - Heather, George, Imogen & Joan
• Sonata in D minor by Schickhardt - Judy, Diana, Kath & Angela
• 'Dance of the Hours' by Ponchielli (from the 'Fairwind Foursomes' Arr. Terry Kenny) - Penny, Annabel, Theresa & Dermot

Class - 31st May

We were greeted by a bellowing organ on arrival in the Church last last night...I thought we'd attracted a new member, but it was merely the Church's organist trying to get to grips with the new electric beast before this Sunday's service! There were lots more notes to get through this evening...with yet more 'Crown Imperial' and a finalised 'Olympic Fanfare & Theme'. I seem to have created a couple of monsters...but I'm sure with a bit of practise, they'll come good in the end!

Small group items:

• 'Allegro' (from 'Sonata K279') by Mozart (Arr. James 'Red' McLeod) - Helen, Theresa & Dermot
• Trio Sonata in D minor by Quantz - Heather, Annabel, Mike & Angela
• Concerto No. 5 by Pepusch - Imogen, Penny, Diana, Kath, Margaret & Joan

It's half-term for us next week...so, see you in a fortnight.

Class - 24th May

We were reunited at this week's class, and were able to continue rehearsing our large ensemble pieces...we've made it to the end of the 'Olympic Fanfare & Theme'  (more or less in one piece!), but 'Crown Imperial' is still to be continued...

Small group items:

• 'Allegro' (from 'Sonata K279') by Mozart (Arr. James 'Red' McLeod) - Helen, Theresa & Dermot
• Quartet in G major by Telemann - Imogen, Diana, Kath, Mike & Angela
• Sonata in F major by Schickhardt - Heather, Penny, Helen, Margaret & Joan

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 - 3rd May

We encountered some rather challenging rhythms at this week's class, as we began working on the 'Olympic Fanfare & Theme' by John Williams (composed for the opening ceremony of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics)...but I'm sure we'll work them out by the concert! We also continued with the Bourgeois 'Serenade' and Walton's 'Crown Imperial' - which we even attempted a little faster!

Small group items:

• Quintet in G major by J. C. Bach - Penny, Diana, Kath, Polly, Mike & Angela
• Concerto in A minor by Vivaldi - Imogen, Judy, Helen & Joan
• Gavotte No. 1 (from French Suite in G major) by J. S. Bach (Arr. Neil Butterworth) - Theresa, Anya & Dermot

Class - 26th April

Sorry this is so late...I just haven't had a moment to sit and write until now.
We began the new term with an old favourite (for most people)...'Serenade' by Derek Bourgeois (written in 1965 for those who were wondering)...and a new piece 'Crown Imperial' by William Walton (in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee)...we will also have an Olympic themed piece too, but that's not ready yet.

Smaall group items:

• 'Dance a Cachucha' (from 'The Gondoliers') by Arthur Sullivan - Penny, Annabel, Dermot & Mike
• Concerto in A minor by Telemann - Imogen, Judy, Diana, Theresa, Kath, Helen, Margaret & Joan
• Trio Sonata in D major by Telemann - Helen, Polly & Angela

Summer Music @ Polly's

Our summer music sessions came to an end last night, with a most enjoyable evening hosted by Polly - thank you! We played a lovely (and varied!) selection of old (and not so old) favourites, then devoured a delicious feast, but the best thing about the evening was seeing Joan (and George!) up and about, and playing piano again!

Here's what we played:

• 'The Great Gate of Kiev' from 'Pictures at an Exhibition - Mussorgsky (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Serenade' - Bourgeois (Arr. H. Brammer)
• Andantino from 'The Trout Quintet' - Schubert (Arr. H. Brammer)
• Theme from 'Blackadder' - Goodall (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Fiddler on the Roof' Medley - Harnick & Bock (Arr. van der Goot)
• 'My Bonny Boy' from 'English Folk Song Suite' - Vaughan Williams (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Rondo' from 'Suite in B Minor' - J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Capriol Suite' - Warlock (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Promenade' from 'Pictures at an Exhibition' - Mussorgsky (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 - Allegro' - J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer)

Just a quick reminder before I go - term starts in two weeks (on September 15th). Looking forward to seeing everyone again...and working on some new music.

Summer Music @ Kath's

A most enjoyable evening was had last night, as we kicked off this year's 'Summer Music' soirees with an evening of music (and delicous food!) at Kath's. Music was chosen by 'Lucky Dip' from a huge selection of old favourites...here's what we played:

• 'My Bonny Boy' from 'English Folk Song Suite' - Vaughan Williams (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Funeral March of a Marionette' - Gounod (Arr. van der Goot)
• 'Serenade' - Derek Bourgeois (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Peter & the Wolf' - Prokofiev (Arr. van der Goot)
• 'Brandenburg Concerto No 3 - Allegro' - J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Chanson de Matin' - Elgar (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Slavonic Dance No 8' - Dvorak (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Overture' from 'Suite in B Minor' - J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Alla Hornpipe' from 'The Water Music' - Handel (Arr. H. Brammer)
• 'Toccata' from 'Pulcinella' - Stravinsky (Arr. H. Brammer)

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In other news...

We now have a YouTube Channel! 

At the moment there is only one video - edited highlights of the small group items from our last concert. You may have noticed that video has also been added to the top of our blog, so you can also watch it on here. I now have audio recordings of our full ensemble pieces from that concert (thank you Dermot!), and have turned those into videos too, with some of the photos from the concert. I will be uploading those to our channel over the next couple of days (it's not a quick process!), and will let you know when they're ready for your viewing pleasure!

I've added a new page for 'Term Dates' - hopefully this should make it easier for everyone to find. I've not added dates for the Spring and Summer terms 2012 yet, but will update the page when those have been finalised.