A summary of the latest news from the Cobweb Orchestra is displayed below. For more information, older news stories, RSS feeds etc. please visit the official Cobweb Orchestra Blog site.
July 3, 2008 12:41 pm — Andy Jackson
I’m afraid that there has been a slight change of plan for the performance in Hartlepool this Sunday (6th July).
Instead of the performance being at 3.00pm, the organisers would like it to be at 4.30pm, so it will be a later finish (but no later than 5.45pm).
For further details please see the forum post about the event.
April 29, 2008 12:57 pm — Liz Carlile
We have (finally) managed to book the Phoenix Centre for Thursday night’s rehearsal. It’s just a litle bit further up the road from Harelaw School on the opposite side. Denise, the caretaker, says she will open the big gates so we can park in the yard; there is also parking on the roadside.
Venera is coming to look at some of the music for the Bishop Auckland concert, as well as bringing the violinist who is going to play a Beethoven Romance at the concert.
See you there
Liz
March 21, 2008 6:41 am — Andy Jackson
Just a reminder that the Harelaw group is still meeting next week (27 Mar) and the week after (3 April).
It’s because of the school holidays in Co. Durham, which are not the same as in some other LEA areas.
Some people seemed to think we would be stopping because it’s Easter this weekend.
Please pass the word around in case others thought the same.
Andy
March 20, 2008 12:59 pm — Colin Reed
A few people have been asking when the new website for The Cobweb Orchestra will be launched, so here’s an update.
The new site has been in development since the back end of last year and is almost complete. There are still a few loose ends to tie up but considering the big changes in the organisation and the new rehearsal groups, I think it would be beneficial to launch it as soon as possible even though we may need to add some intended features at a later date.
The current plan is to continue development over the next week, with the new site being launched over the Sedbergh Residential Weekend (28-30 March). The old website will be unavailable during this time though I will try to keep downtime to a minimum.
Colin
Website Administrator
March 9, 2008 10:04 pm — Liz Carlile
Sedbergh Residential Weekend is approaching very quickly and I’m forwarding a letter from Andy telling you a little bit about what is planned as well as a timetable of events.
Remember;
bed-linen is provided but you need to bring your own towel
to bring your own drinks (both soft and alcoholic); tea and coffee are available at mealtimes and the planned breaks, but may not be readily available during the evening
the swimming pool will be open for us early on both Saturday and Sunday mornings
to bring your concert dress (black bottom, white top and waistcoat) for the end-of-weekend concert
YOUR MUSIC STAND!
If you want to come to Sedbergh, as either a resident or a day visitor, let me know as soon as possible. If you’re not sure how to enrol or what the cost wil be, or have any other questions, please ring me on 01642873973 or 07914 956786 or email me on the address above.
Liz
From Andy
COBWEB ORCHESTRA
9th Spring residential weekend
Friday 28th - Sunday 30th March 2008
Is it that time again already? The last year has been a bit breathless but maybe the relaxed atmosphere of Sedbergh School will give us time to mull over everything we’ve achieved since becoming an independent charity and dream up some interesting opportunities for the future.
If you are one of the hundreds of players I have met who are new to Cobwebs over the last few months, it would be wonderful to see some of you at Sedbergh and get to know you a little better.
You don’t have to come for the whole weekend, and it doesn’t matter if you haven‘t already enrolled; we welcome people for any of the sessions (see attached enrolment form). Cocktails and dinner are quite early on Saturday, so even if you need to head off home afterwards, you can still enjoy this highlight of the social calendar.
Our guest conductor for the weekend is Laurence Perkins and he’ll be encouraging us to play the Saint-Saens “Organ” symphony and Beethoven’s 7th. There’ll, as ever, be surprise items too, (including pieces for each section to play) and a chance to run through Mahler’s 1st symphony (though we won’t be attempting this in the end-of-weekend concert).
Other “firsts” are an illustrated lecture on Handel by Brian Tanner and “Tutors’ surgeries” where anyone can book in a few minutes with section leaders and conductors to discuss the weekend’s repertoire or wider issues about your playing.
The highlight of the weekend is always the Saturday evening concert party, and I like to have some idea of who is performing what before we get there, so if you do have any items, please let me know by scribbling on the bottom of your enrolment form or dropping me a line (andy.jackson0@talk21.com). Remember that you don’t have to be note-perfect to play and that whilst serious endeavour is appreciated, so too is anything which raises a smile.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Andy Jackson
THE COBWEB ORCHESTRA
SEDBERGH RESIDENTIAL WEEKEND 2008
Schedule:
Friday 28th March
5.00 p.m. Onwards. Arrive and book into accommodation
6.30-7.30 p.m. Dinner
7.45-9.45 p.m. Full orchestra rehearsal: introduction to the weekend’s repertoire
Saturday 29th March
8.00 - 9.00 a.m. Breakfast.
9.45 - 11.15 a.m. Cobweb callisthenics - an orchestral warm up.
11.15 - 11.30 a.m. Coffee break.
11.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. Full orchestra rehearsal - a closer look at the main pieces
1.00 - 2.00 p.m. Lunch
2.00 - 3.30 p.m. Large ensemble session - music for strings, wind and brass.
3.30 - 3.45 p.m. Tea break.
3.45 - 4.45 p.m. “Mahler for tea“. A run through the 1st symphony.
4.45 - 6.00 p.m. Lecture. “Friderich Handel: A most modern entrepreneur” by Prof. Brian Tanner AND
5.00- 6.00 p.m. “Tutors’ surgeries” - a chance to consult conductors and section leaders.
6.00 - 6.30 p.m. Pre-dinner drinks.
6.30 - 7.30 p.m. Dinner
8.00 p.m. Concert party
Sunday 30th March
8.00 - 9.00 a.m. Breakfast.
9.00 - 9.45 a.m. “CPR” - some advice from Richard Best
9.45 - 11.15 a.m. Sunday Supplement - diverting start to the day’s music making
11.15 - 11.30 a.m. Coffee break
11.30 a.m.- 1.00 p.m. Sectional rehearsals with tutors from the Leaders’ Group
1.00 - 2.00 p.m. Lunch
2.30 - 4.00 p.m. Prepare concert items
4.00 p.m. Tea break
4.15 p.m. End-of-weekend concert
6.00 p.m. Home
February 10, 2008 8:20 pm — Liz Carlile
I’m attaching an enrolment form for the Beginners’ Day we are running on February 23rd in Dipton Community Centre. As always in Beginners’ Days, we shall be grateful for the support of more experienced players to help people who are just beginning to play in an orchestra.
If you know of anyone who might be interested in the day (quite short, only 11am to 3pm) please pass the enrolment form on to them. It would be helpful too if you could publicize the day in your own local area using the combined flier/enrolment form.
Thank you.
Liz
Beginners’ Day flier/enrolment form
January 17, 2008 11:04 am — Liz Carlile
I’m attaching the three enrolment forms for the next three events. There are two study days, one on a Haydn Symphony (the ‘Clock’) and one on Mahler’s 1st Symphony, and an afternoon to enjoy playing some well-known romantic works.
Please do let me know as soon as possible when you are coming to one of the events; it makes it much easier to plan, and particularly to make sure that we have enough parts for all the players. Of course, you are still welcome to ‘turn up on the day’ if you are unable to let me know beforehand.
Enrolment Form - 2nd February 2008 - Play the Romantics in The Sage Gateshead
Enrolment Form - 9th February 2008 - Mahler 1 Study Day at Middlesbrough Town Hall
Enrolment Form - 16th February 2008 - Haydn ‘Clock’ Study day in Dalston Victory Hall
Thank you.
Liz
January 11, 2008 10:27 am — David Hutton
Next Tuesday, 15 Jan, I’d like to start sorting out the mass of music parts that people have kindly returned to us. If you can come early - say, 6:45 - and lend a hand you’d be very welcome!
On Tuesday 22nd Jan we cannot use the Sports Centre, so the rehearsal will be at Moorside First School - the other side of Woodhorn Road opposite the Sports Centre.
I can confirm that we won’t meet at half term on Tues 19th February, and our last meeting for the term will be on 18th March.
We restart on Tues 22nd April.
All the best,
David Hutton
November 14, 2007 12:25 pm — Liz Carlile
Following our very well-received visit to Tow Law Community Centre last month, we have been invited back to play at an event for children from the local school. The date is Tuesday 4th December and they would like us to provide about 30 minutes worth of music between 2.30 and 4.30pm.
It would be very helpful if anyone who would like to play for this event could let us know very quickly by either telephone or email so that we can organise what we might be able to play. We will rehearse on the day at 1.00pm, and for the concert we will wear concert dress (black bottom, white top and waistcoat).
Liz
October 21, 2007 7:21 pm — Liz Carlile
Some dates for your diary - if you’ve got one that goes so far ahead!
February 9th 2008 Mahler 1 Study Day in Middlesbrough
March 2nd 2008 Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ Symphony Study Day in Newbiggin Sports and Community Centre
March 28th-30th 2008 Sedbergh Residential Weekend (We’ll be asking for deposits to reserve your place fairly soon.)
Just a note; Ridley Hall DIY Residential (December 1st and 2nd) is filling up fast, so get your enrolment in if you intend to go.
Please, from me, please, if at all possible, if you pay for events on the day (which is fine) can you pay WITH A CHEQUE, made payable to ‘The Cobweb Orchestra’ and labelled on the back with the event it’s for. It makes life on the day , and sorting things out afterwards, so much easier.
Thank you very much.
There are practice rooms available in The Sage this Saturday (November 3rd); they’re not completely booked up so if you want to use one please get in touch with me.
Liz
This is only the latest few posts to the official Cobweb Orchestra Blog site. where you will find much more.