Cobweb Orchestra News

34 intrepid players braved the snowy weather and gathered at St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Darlington on 19th January for our 2nd study day on Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring.

Just over half the orchestra were attending their first study day whilst the rest had already experienced one day and had come back for another one!

We had a great day, different to the 1st one, but as successful and thoroughly enjoyable. There was some exceptionally fine brass playing which kept parts of the work very tight, rhythmically and time wise.

Alexe Finlay (2nd violin) very kindly took some quirky photos during our lunch break.

If you haven’t yet experienced a study day on this great work, do think about getting along to the 3rd one – Saturday 16th February 2013 at York.

Dear All,

As I type the rain is lashing against the window but at least the snow has gone and it is easier to get to rehearsals/events . . . until the floods arrive.

A very big well done to all who made it to the Caledonian concert at Ravenstonedale on Saturday. It was a great success and the appreciative audience of just over 30 donated £286.00 to be split equally between St Oswald’s Church and The Cobweb Orchestra.

Coming Up . . .

Kurt Weill Study Day – Saturday 2nd Feb, 10.30am – 7pm
Northern Rock Hall, The Sage Gateshead

This 20th century chamber symphony is a real treat as some of us have discovered during a sneak preview at weekly rehearsals. Don’t be put off by the name of the composer – it’s very playable with all parts engaged throughout the work.

String players – as an added bonus, we have Tristan Gurney leading the orchestra and taking the string sectional. Tristan used to play with Northern Sinfonia (and still does on occasions) before taking up the 1st violin position in the Edinburgh Quartet.

Please do email me to let me know that you are coming to the event even if you don’t intend to purchase your ticket from the Box Office until the day.

For further details please visit our website: http://www.cobweborchestra.org.uk/events/event.php?id=164

Mozart, Chopin and Dvorak Concert – Sunday 10th Feb, 1.30pm – 9.15pm
Hall 2, The Sage Gateshead

We’ve a super wind section coming together for this concert starring Emily Murray as the soloist in Chopin’s 1st Piano Concerto but . . . where have all our string players gone?

Don’t forget to enrol for what will be a smashing concert in a great venue!

For further details and to download an enrolment form please visit our website: http://www.cobweborchestra.org.uk/events/event.php?id=160

The 3rd Rite of Spring Study Day – Saturday 16th Feb, 11am – 4pm
Haxby Memorial Hall, York

So far we’ve had two different but extremely successful study days and if you haven’t played the Rite of Spring yet, you really are missing out

A great orchestra is coming together but there is plenty of room for more players. Do enrol and don’t forget the fund-raising lunch, which will be worth every penny.

For further details and to download an enrolment form please visit our website: http://www.cobweborchestra.org.uk/events/event.php?id=171

Bruch and Schumann Concert – Saturday 23rd Feb, 2pm – 9pm
The Tithe Barn, Carlisle

This concert features not one, but two players from Northern Sinfonia.

Iona Brown is going to play Bruch’s 1st violin concerto in the 1st half and then join the orchestra in Schumann’s 3rd Symphony “Rhenish”. (Perhaps we should auction the chair next to Iona!)

Chris Griffiths, who has conducted and played with us on many occasions, will be conducting both works.

People have already been telling me that they wish to play in this concert so please don’t delay in sending your enrolment form back. Please advertise this concert as widely as possible. It would be great to have a good-sized audience!

For further details and to download an enrolment form please visit our website: http://www.cobweborchestra.org.uk/events/event.php?id=165

Well that’s February for you – what a busy month. I hope to see lots of you at some, or even all, of the events.

Sue

Dear All,

An unusual opportunity for Cobweb players!

But then we’re pretty good at doing ‘unusual’ . . .

We’ve been asked by a Newcastle based band “X is For Eyes” if we can provide a small orchestra (strings and brass only) for the shooting of a music video. The band can be heard on YouTube

The filming will take place at The Customs House, South Shields, from 6pm on Tuesday 5th February.

Now for the quirky bit . . . we will not be playing our instruments but miming to the track for the video. The dress code is all black (but . . . “if you’s wear suits and stuff normally, that would look sweet”).

If you would like to be involved in this rather different project, please email Andy

andy.jackson0@talk21.com

by 12noon, Monday 28th January.

Chamber Orchestra Residential Weekend

Earlier in the week I emailed you details of a possible Chamber Orchestra Residential.

This is just a gentle nudge to email Andy by 30th January if you are interested.

I’m sure there are more of you out there who haven’t yet emailed!

Sue

Dear All,

A big thank you to all the amazing players who braved the wintery weather and made it to Darlington for our 2nd study day on Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. It was a fantastic day with lots of great musical moments. Thanks also to everyone who helped by making soup, setting up the orchestra, serving lunch, carrying instruments, clearing up etc.

Our 3rd study day is at Haxby Memorial Hall, York on Saturday 16th February 2013. For those of you who haven’t experienced playing this wonderful work, don’t miss out. And for those who have already been to 1 or 2 study days please do come to the 3rd and 4th.

The Sage Gateshead Study Day – Kurt Weill, 2nd Symphony
Saturday 2nd February 2013, 10am – 7pm

Another great opportunity to study a modern piece under the baton of Anthony Sargeant. We’ve had the pleasure of working with Anthony for a number of years now and we always have a super day.

If you would like to enrol for this event it must be done through The Sage Gateshad . . .

In person at The Sage Gateshead

By phone on 0191 443 4661

Online at www.thesagegateshead.org

Don’t forget that if you are a member of The Cobweb Orchestra you get a discount on the advertised ticket price of £26.80. The best way to get your ticket is in person – members can then be sure of getting their discount and there are no extra admin charges.

Please do let me know if you have booked your place, or intend coming and will get your ticket on the day. We can only ensure that there are enough parts if you let me know that you are attending this study day. Email events@cobweborchestra.org.uk

Events and the winter weather

It is The Cobweb Orchestra policy not to cancel an event except under extreme circumstances, as we are never entirely sure of who will turn up on the day without having enrolled beforehand.

If we do have to cancel an event, players who have enrolled and had put their phone number on the form will be notified by telephone. Phoning people we have numbers for is the policy for EVENTS, but weekly groups may have their own systems for coping with extreme weather. If in doubt, check with your leader or group secretary. There will also be notification on the events page on the website if a cancellation occurs.

Please do phone and leave a message, or text, the Cobweb Mobile 0788 0346145 if you can’t make it to an event. If you email the chances are I won’t get it as I have to leave home very early for most events. Knowing that you can’t make it saves us worrying about you!!

Enjoy the snow. I hope it doesn’t stop you attending any rehearsals or events.

Sue

We have 3, possibly 4 music residentials to look forward to during 2013. They are all different but all great fun and well worth booking if you can make one or all!

Sedbergh Residential Weekend
Fri 12th – Sun 14th April 2013

Once again it’s that time of year when you need to book your place at Sedbergh! Attached is an information sheet and booking form. Please return the booking form with a £30 deposit (by the end of January) to secure your place on this great residential weekend.

Tuscany Residential Week
Sun 18th – Sun 25th August 2013

A reminder from Andrew:

We already have a good-sized orchestra on our priority list for our biennial trip to Tuscany for which booking forms will be released shortly. Strings seem to be under-represented at present, but we expect the normal, uncanny, Cobweb balance to be restored as the weeks tick by.

In the meantime do visit the website www.cobweborchestra.org.uk/events/

If you require further information please do get in touch with Andrew at andrew@weasdale.com

Ridley Hall Residential Weekend
Sat 30th November – Sun 1st December 2013

Please note that the date for our visit to Ridley Hall has changed. It is now a week later than previously advertised. Don’t forget to make the change in your diary.

Chamber Orchestra Residential Weekend
Early summer 2013

How does the idea of spending a weekend playing in a perfectly formed chamber orchestra grab you?

If we are to move this idea forward and, crucially, book a venue, Andy really needs to know what level of interest there is. Please email Andy andy.jackson0@talk21.com by 30th January to let him know that you are interested.

That’s it for news on our residentials for now.

Sue

Dear All,

Just a few things . . .

The New Year got off to a great start with our first event on Saturday – the Composers and Arrangers/Guinea Pig Orchestra. We had a large GPO to try out some smashing compositions, three of which came from completely new composers. Thank you to everyone who came.

All our groups are now up and running and I hope that you all enjoy your weekly/fortnightly rehearsals. The York Cobweb Group, which has changed nights and venue since last term, has taken off. They had a great turnout last Wednesday. If you fancy going to York to play in the new venue and to meet Jonathan Brigg, their super conductor, they are meeting during half term week. I’ll remind you all nearer the time!

Last Sunday we had a Group Leaders Meeting to which all leaders managed to attend. It’s never easy getting 8 busy musicians in one place at the same time! These meetings happen on a regular basis and are a good forum for discussing ideas and comments from you the player so please do talk to your group leader.

Don’t forget that our 2nd Rite of Spring Study Day is on this Saturday, 19th January, 11am-4pm, at St Cuthbert’s Church Hall in Darlington. We have a fine orchestra already but we’d welcome some more brass. The enrolment form is available on the website www.cobweborchestra.org.uk/events/

Mozart, Chopin and Dvorak Concert – Hall 2, The Sage Gateshead
Sunday 10th February 2013

We don’t often get to do concerts in The Sage Gateshead so this really is an event not to be missed. The delightful Emily Murray is returning to play Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 with us. We’ll also be playing Mozart’s Overture to The Magic Flute and Dvorak Symphony No. 7.

The enrolment form is attached and will very shortly be available on our website. Also attached is a flyer for the concert. Please print one off and advertise wherever you can.

Car-sharing to events

Don’t forget that many people do offer lifts to events and they can all be found on the Cobwebs Car-sharing Link from the Events page on the website.

Not only is it a pleasant social thing to do but also it saves on the cost of fuel. Occasionally people require a lift to an event and these requests also appear on the Car-sharing page. Please do take a look every so often, particularly when we are getting close to an event, and help cut down on the number of cars on the road.

Have a great musical week.

Sue

Dear All,

Happy New Year! I hope you have all enjoyed a wonderful festive season and are now itching to get going with lots of music-making.

Here’s just a brief reminder of what is coming up . . .

Composers and Arrangers/Guinea Pig Orchestra – this Saturday, 12th January, 2-6pm.
St John’s Church Hall, Stocksfield

We have a good little orchestra for this event but there is still space if you wish to come along either as a player, composer or conductor. And don’t forget it is free for orchestral players.

2nd Rite of Spring Study Day – Saturday 19th January, 11am-4pm.
St Cuthbert’s Church Hall, Darlington

After the huge success of the 1st study day in Dipton, this is an event not to be missed . . . where else would you get the opportunity to have a go at this great work? We have the makings of a large orchestra but there is still plenty of room in all sections. And of course there is the fund-raising lunch to enjoy. Do let me know if you are able to come and play.

NB – CHANGE OF VENUE AND TIME

The 3rd Rite of Spring study day on Saturday February 16th will now take place at Haxby Memorial Hall, York (full address is on the website) and has a new time, 11am-4pm. This means that a fund-raising lunch will take place instead of the fund-raising tea.

If the new venue, time or fund-raising lunch is a problem for anyone who has already booked, please do get in touch with me at events@cobweborchestra.org.uk

I look forward to seeing lots of you at weekly rehearsals and forthcoming events.

Sue

Alexe Finlay (Cobweb violinist) was on Radio 3 yesterday morning (31 Oct 2012) and gave Cobwebs a big plug.

The program is currently available on BBC iPlayer with Alexe’s contribution at 1:08:50

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01nj85n