Class - 6th November

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:

• 'Trio Sonata in G Minor' by Finger - Maureen, Lucy & Imogen
• 'Flutation' by Clare Grundman - Penny, Alison, Judy & Angela
• 'Salut d'Amour' by Elgar - Heather, Theresa & Mike
• 'Minuet' from 'Divertimento No. 2' by Mozart (Arr. H. Brammer) - Kath, Polly, John & Diana

Concert - 5th December

Despite the freezing temperature (both outside and inside the Church!), our Christmas concert was well attended, by regulars and some new audience members.

Here's what we played:

Programme

'Overture Miniature' from 'The Nutcracker'

– Tchaikovsky (Arr. H. Brammer)

The Broken Consort

'I – Vivace' from 'Concerto in D Minor'

- J. S. Bach (Arr. Jasmine Choi)

Heather Loebl & Helen Brammer (Flutes); & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Berceuse' – Fauré (Arr. Jan van der Goot)

Alison Shaw, Penny Layland & Judy Skelton (Flutes)

'Gavotte' & 'Bourée' from 'Orchestral Suite No. 3'

– J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer)

Alison Shaw (Flute); Annabel Crowe (Oboe); Theresa Hitching & Nicola Thompson (Clarinets); Mike Winterburn (Bassoon); Kath Russell, Rod Lackey & John Marshall (Violins); Polly Kaufmann (Viola); & Margaret Willson ('Cello)

'Chanson de Matin' & 'Chanson de Nuit'

- Elgar (Arr. H. Brammer)

The Broken Consort

'Adagio & Allegro' from 'Trio I' – J. S. Bach

Maureen Snell (Treble Recorder); Diana Locke (Tenor Recorder); & Angela Ayton (Piano)

'Sugar Plum Swing Out' from 'Nutcracker Surprise' – Tchaikovsky (Arr. Duncan Stubbs)

Theresa Hitching, Helen Brammer & Nicola Thompson (Clarinets)

'Andante & Vivace' from 'Quartet in D minor

– Tafelmusik' – Telemann

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

'Waltz of the Flowers' from 'The Nutcracker'

– Tchaikovsky (Arr. H. Brammer)

The Broken Consort

As is traditional, we enjoyed a post-concert gathering wonderfully hosted by Mike & Angela, with lots of delicious food & drink, and fabulous company. Videos of all of the performances from the concert can be seen here on our YouTube Channel.

Class - 24th October

It was a busy week...we whizzed through our ensemble pieces...then a few small group pieces, before squeezing in our AGM...whilst enjoying chocolate cake and champagne in honour of Mike's birthday! (Minutes of AGM will be added to the 'Committee' page on here)

Small group items:

• 'Bouree' & 'Gavotte' from 'Orchestral Suite No. 3' by J. S. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer) - Alison, Helen, Theresa, Nicola, Mike, Kath, Rod, John, Polly & Margaret
• 'Anitra's Dance' from 'Peer Gynt' by Greig - Heather, Penny, Judy & Angela
• 'Trio No. 1' by J. S. Bach - Maureen, Diana & Imogen

Class - 17th October

Large ensemble pieces:

• 'Overture Miniature' & 'Waltz of the Flowers' from 'The Nutcracker' by Tchaikovsky (Arr. H. Brammer) 
• 'Chanson de Matin' & 'Chanson de Nuit' by Elgar (Arr. H. Brammer)

Small group items:

• 'Sonata IV' by Corelli - Emily, Kath, John, Helen & Angela
• 'Sonata in D Minor' by Schickhardt - Heather, George, Imogen, Mike & Joan
• 'Three movements of Handel' - Penny, Maureen, Annabel, Theresa, Nicola & Diana

Class - 10th October

We continused working on our ensemble pieces...'Overture Miniature' and 'Waltz of the Flowers' from 'The Nutcracker' and 'Chanson de Matin' and 'Chanson de Nuit' by Elgar...there was definite improvement  in everything!

Small group items:

• 'Dance of the Blessed Spirits' by Gluck (Arr. H. Brammer) - Heather, Alison, Theresa, Nicola, Kath, Rod, John, Polly & Mike
• 'A Spring Rondo' by Mozart - Penny, Judy & Angela
• Schickhardt Sonata in C Minor - George, Imogen, Diana, Margaret & Joan

Class - 3rd October

We started work on our final ensemble piece this week ('Overture Miniature' from 'The Nutcracker')...speed may be the challenge with this one!...and continued with the other pieces too.

Small group items:

• J. C. Bach 'Quintet in D Major' - Heather, Annabel, Polly, Mike & Angela
• 'Three Movements from Mr Handel' - Alison, Judy, Theresa & Diana
• Haydn 'London Trios' - Penny, Imogen & Helen
• Keller 'Sonata in C' - George, Maureen, Kath, John, Rod & Joan

Class - 26th September

All went well as we continued to work on 'Waltz of the Flowers' and 'Chanson de Matin' and 'Chanson de Nuit' at this week's class...there even seemed to be some dynamics creeping in!

Small group items:

• Quintet in D Minor by Keller - George, Imogen, Maureen, Kath, John, Margaret & Joan
• 'Dance of th Hours' from 'La Gioconda' by Ponchielli (Arr. Terry Kenny) - Penny, Theresa, Nicola & Mike
• Concerto in D Minor by J. S.Bach (Arr. Jasmine Choi) - Heather, Helen & Angela

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

Summer Music @ Imogen's

We had our last summer music gathering of the holiday last Thursday, and this time it was hosted by Imogen. We selected the music using our usual method, and here's what we played:

• 'Andante' from the Surprise Symphony' by Haydn 
• 'English Dance No. IV' by Malcolm Arnold
• 'Chanson de Nuit' by Elgar
• 'The Great Gate of Kiev' from Pictures at an Exhibition' by Mussorgsky 
• 'Romance' from 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' by Mozart
• 'Badinerie' from 'Suite in B Minor' by J. S. Bach
• 'Seventeen come Sunday' from 'English Folksong Suite' by Vaughan Williams
• 'March - For the Love of Three Satsumas (Oranges)' by Prokofiev
• 'Rondo' from 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' by Mozart

We concluded the evening with some delicious food & drink and fabulously entertaining story-telling from Joan!

The new term starts in a couple of weeks (September 19th), so I'll be back again then.

Summer Music @ Diana's

We had another Summer Music gathering last Thursday...it was a rather large group this time and was hosted by Diana, who spent the evening with her double bass in the 'minstrel's gallery'! We selected the music using our usual system...here's what we played:

• 'Bouree' from 'The Water Music' by Handel
• Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 'Allegro assai' by J. S. Bach
• 'My Bonny Boy' from 'Folk Song Suite' by Vaughan Williams
• 'Promenade' from 'Pictures at an Exhibition' by Mussorgsky
• 'Capriol Suite' by Peter Warlock
• 'Olympic Fanfare & Theme' by John Williams
• 'Chanson de Matin' Elgar
• 'Sinfonia' from 'Pulcinella' by Stravinsky
•  'Rondo' from 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' by Mozart
• 'Toccata' from 'Pulcinella' by Stravinsky
• Theme from 'Blackadder' by Howard Goodall
• 'Overture' from 'Suite in B Minor' by J. S. Bach

Well, I think you'll agree that we had earned our refreshments after all that! Thank you to Diana for a lovely evening!

We have one more Summer gathering before term starts...at Imogen's on September 5th.

Class - 24th January

We had another record turnout this week, as we welcomed back Penny from her travels. We also revisited an 'old favourite'...'The Ashokan Farewell' by Jay Ungar...so we've now begun working on all of the large ensemble pieces we'll be performing in our end of term concert. We have yet to rehearse the joint pieces ('I Feel Pretty' and 'Cantique de Jean Racine') with the Songbyrds, but are looking forward to the challenge!

Small group items:

• Concerto in A minor by Telemann - George, Maureen, Penny, Judy, Rod, John, Anya, Nicola, Dermot, Margaret & Joan
• 'Evesham Andante' by Elgar - Heather, Alison, Diana, Helen, Mike & Angela 
• 'Dance a Cachucha' by Sullivan - Imogen, Polly, Kath & Theresa

Class - 27th September

We had a full house at this week's class...which is almost unheard of for so early in the term! We continued work on 'Les Patineurs', and also the first of a collection of songs from 'The Threepenny Opera' by Kurt Weill...'Tango Ballad'...which is something a little bit different for us.

Small group items:

• 'A Musical Joke' by Mozart (Arr. Jane Gannaway) - Penny, Judy & Dermot
• Sonata in C minor by Schickhardt - George, Imogen, Annabel, Margaret & Joan
• 'Adagio Cantabile (Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup)' by Elgar - Heather, Diana, Helen, Theresa & Mike
• Quartet in C minor by Janitsch - Kath, John, Polly & Angela

Summer Music @ Annabel's

We had our second summer music gathering of the holiday last night, this time hosted by Annabel. Again the music was selected at random...here's what we played:

• 'Tirolese' from 'Soirees Musicales' by Benjamin Britten
• 'Promenade' from 'Pictures at an Exhibition' by Mussorgsky
• 'Chanson de Matin' by Elgar
•  'Waltz' by Shostakovich
• 'Sinfonia' from 'Pulcinella' by Stravinsky
• 'Polka' from 'Jazz Suite No. 1' by Shostakovich
• 'Minuetto' from 'L'Arlesienne' by Bizet
• 'Capriol Suite' by Peter Warlock
• 'Allegro moderato' from 'Brandenburg Concerto No. 3' by J. S. Bach
• 'Peer Gynt Suite No. 1' by Greig

After playing, we enjoyed a delicious feast...I don't have a photo of us this time, but did snap the cakes before they were devoured!

Thanks for a lovely evening Annabel...see (some of) you again next week!

Summer Music @ Heather's

We had our first 'Summer Music' session of the holiday last night, hosted by Heather. It was a lovely evening, and we entertained Heather's neighbours with a selection of some of our old favourites...picked at random. Here's what we played:

• 'Allegro Assai' from 'Brandenburg Concerto No.2' by J S Bach
• 'Hallelujah Chorus' from 'The Messiah' by Handel
• 'Folksongs from Somerset' from 'English Folksong Suite by Vaughan Williams
• 'Wedding Day at Troldhaugen' by Grieg
• 'Sicilienne' by Faure
• 'Romance' from 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik'by Mozart
• 'Chanson de Nuit' by Elgar
• 'Overture' to Suite in B minor by J S Bach
• 'Alla hornpipe' from 'The Water Music' by Handel
• Overture to 'The Marriage of Figaro' by Mozart

After the music making, there was of course some food and drink to be enjoyed...a most delicious spread! You can see the aftermath in this panoramic photo below:

(Click the photo for a better view)

Thank you to Heather for a wonderful evening...I can confirm that you will recieve a 5* rating!

PS - I have updated the dates for next term on the 'Term Dates' page (click the tab at the top of the page to view).

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.

Class - 7th July

There was a touch of deja vu about this evening's class...the final rehearsal before next week's concert. We even had a small audience for our 'dress rehearsal', of family members and one very confused gentleman who didn't seem to know why he was there! They seemed to enjoy our large ensemble items, and we now know that if we want louder applause, we need to play faster!

Small group items:

• 'General Radetsky goes Cuckoo' by Michaelson - Heather, Annie, Helen & Mike
• Telemann Trio Sonata in F Major - George, Imogen, Margaret & Joan
• 'Trois Duos de Mendelssohn et Lachner' - Judy, Diana & Angela
• 'Summertime' by George Gershwin - Penny, George, Annabel, Kath, Theresa, Polly, Mike, Margaret & Joan
• Trio Sonata in D Minor by Quantz - Annie, Annabel, Margaret & Joan
• 'Shimmering Flutes' by John Cacavas - Annie, Judy, Penny & Imogen
• Trio Sonata in G Major by C.P. E. Bach - Diana, Kath & Imogen
• 'Salut d'Amour' by Elgar - Penny, Theresa & Mike
• 'Pavane pour une infante defunte' by Ravel - Heather, Polly & Angela
• Telemann Trio Sonata in D Minor - George, Judy & Angela

Phew! I think that must be a record for the most number of pieces rehearsed in one class!

Class - 30th June

It was good to be back nearly up to full strength last night, and our large ensemble pieces are sounding good, even though we'd picked up some speed in the 'Marriage of Figaro' which took a few people by surprise! With only a couple more classes before our concert, we had a 'whistle-stop' tour through (nearly) all the other concert items too...a dress rehearsal for all the room & personnel changes in next week's final rehearsal!

Small group items:

• 'General Radetsky goes Cuckoo' by Michaelson - Heather, Annie, Helen & Mike
• Telemann Trio Sonata in F Major - George, Imogen, Margaret & Joan
• 'Trois Duos de Mendelssohn et Lachner' - Judy, Diana & Angela (with substitutions of Heather & George!)
• 'Summertime' by George Gershwin - Penny, George, Annabel, Kath, Theresa, Mike, Margaret & Joan
• Trio Sonata in D Minor by Quantz - Annie, Annabel, Margaret & Joan
• 'Shimmering Flutes' by John Cacavas - Annie, Judy, Penny & Imogen
• Trio Sonata in G Major by C.P. E. Bach - Diana, Kath & Imogen
• 'Salut d'Amour' by Elgar - Penny, Theresa & Mike

Class - 23rd June

It was a very 'select' gathering this evening...but we ploughed on undeterred by the moments of silence in our large ensemble pieces!

Small group items:

• 'Chants sans paroles' by Tchaikovsky - George, Margaret & Angela
• Telemann Trio Sonata in G Minor - Diana, Polly & Joan
• 'Salut d'Amour' by Elgar - Penny, Thersa & Mike

Class - 28th April

A new term means new music...and we started this evening's class with the Overture to 'The Magic Flute' by Mozart...we just need to get it twice as fast by the end of term concert! We also revisited a couple of old favourites, the 'Waltz' and 'Polka' from Shostakovich's Jazz Suite No. 1...although they didn't seem all that familiar to everyone!

Small group items:

• Sonata in C by Gottfried Keller - Imogen, Penny, Kath, Polly, Margaret & Angela
• 'Sheep May Safely Graze' by J. S. Bach - Judy, Annabel & Dermot
• 'Adagio Cantabile (Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup)' by Elgar - Helen, Annie, Diana, Theresa & Mike