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

Class - 17th January

We had another couple of potential new members at last Thursday's class...Nicola on clarinet, and Rod on violin...so it was a record turn-out for the Broken Consort! As well as continuing with 'I Feel Pretty' and 'Slavonic Dance No. 8', we had our first read-through of 'Cantique de Jean Racine' by Faure - the other piece that we'll be performing with the Songbyrds at our end of term concert.

Small group items:

• Concerto in E Minor by Telemann - Heather, Alison, Kath, John, Rod, Polly, Diana & Angela
• 'Allegretto' by J.C. Bach (Arr. H. Brammer) - Judy, Annabel, Theresa, Dermot & Mike
• 'Quartettino' by Scarlatti - George, Imogen, Maureen, Margaret & Joan

Class - 20th October

We were rather depleted at the class last night...so, it was back to foot stamping out front to help keep time! We muddled though...a bit bare in places, but it was interesting to be able to hear parts not normally exposed! We had been deserted by all of our pianists...but, Anya bravely volunteered to play the piano part in one of the small group items...so it all worked out ok in the end.

Small group items:

• Sonata in E Flat Major by Scarlatti (Arr. Sobrielo) - George, Penny, Judy, Annabel & Margaret
• 'Subjects Obey Army Farm' * by Donaldson & Kahn (Arr. H. Brammer) - Heather, Emily, Kath, Dermot, Theresa, Diana & Anya

* Not the real title...the true identity of this piece will remain a secret until our concert on December 1st.

It's half-term for us next week, so our next class will be on November 3rd.

Class - 20th January

It was lovely to see (nearly) everyone again after the Christmas break, and we got straight back into the swing of things with one of the new arrangements for this term - 'Wedding Day at Troldhaugen' by Grieg. It's great to be able to position ourselves in our old familiar set-up for rehearsals...and with the lovely new keyboard (thank you George & Joan!), we have a more balanced sound.

Small group items:

• Scarlatti 'Sonata in F Major' - George, Kath, Diana, Margaret & Joan
• Albinoni 'Adagio' - Judy, Theresa, Dermot & Imogen
• Dusek 'Partita' & Tartini 'Two Sonatas' - Annabel, Polly & Mike
• Busoni 'Duo' & Doppler 'Fantaisie sur des motifs Hongrois' - Heather, Helen & Angela