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Newsletter - May 2003
Articles
Spring Concert | Next meeting | Quote of the month | A.G.M | April Meeting | 6th Ivor Mairants Guitar Award | Kinson Festival | Congratulations | Romeo and Juliet | A Midsummer Night’s Concert | Guitar Gathering | HAGO Charity Concert | Future Meetings | Concert Diary | Contact NumbersSpring Concert
A colourful Dorset Guitar Orchestra
Well done everyone. All your efforts have paid off. I have listened to most of the recording and it all sounds pretty good to me.
I hope everyone enjoyed themselves - I know that the audience did as we had quite a few compliments afterwards. You may not be aware but there are actually people out there that prefer our annual concert at Kinson to professional guitar concerts. The reason being that there is more variety.
Congratulations also to our soloists for their excellent contribution.
Unfortunately (or rather fortunately) all of the programmes sold out very quickly - so if any one didn’t get one and would like one to keep as a souvenir please let me know and I will get a copy for you.
Talking of programmes an error was picked up by our eagle eyed conductor. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart did not die in 1787 but in 1791. His father Leopold Mozart did in fact die just four years before his son in 1787. Apologies from me - my eyes must have slipped a line in the dictionary.
The audience seemed to particularly like our Kalimba piece and the dusters provided much amusement.
A meal at Pinocchio's rounded off the evening very nicely.
Well, we can all look forward to the next one now!
Extra photos
Stephen receiving his 'surprise'.
Margaret with flowers.
Ann with flowers.
Top of page
Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on 18th May 2003at 5.45 p.m. until 9.30 p.m. in the Small Hall. Quite a lot of people will not be able to make this months meeting, including myself. For any disappointed folk that didn't get to play their solo's in April, this month will be the perfect opportunity.
Top of pageQuote of the Month
What Mozart did, that is, composed up to his thirty-sixth year, the best copyist of today could not write down in the same amount of time.
Quoted by his son, Richard, Melodic Inspiration, 1940
Top of pageA.G.M - 27th April
As far as time was concerned this must have been a record breaker at 17 minutes 2 seconds. It was unfortunate that the AGM coincided with the last rehearsal for our Spring Concert and I think that was at the back of all our minds. However, although we don't like to rush through important issues at break neck speed there is no reason why any issue should not be discussed at future meetings.
To summarise:
Chairman's Report
Terry reported another excellent year for the Society and the list of events and activities to promote the guitar around Dorset was considerable.
- 13-14th April - Emanuele Segre concert & workshop
- 6th July - DGS Summer Concert
- 13th July - Quartetto Concertante in St. Stephen's Church, Bournemouth (& Dorchester 27th July)
- 11th August - Six members of the 'Twelfth Night' musicians played at B.O.A.T's end of season garden party
- 26th August - Six members played at a DGS find-raising garden party organised by Sarah Fry
- 6th September - Stephen Kenyon and Trevor Semple were interviewed on the Nick Girdler Show on Radio Solent
- 12th - 13th Oct - Eleftheria Kotzia concert & workshop
- 15th Dec - Christmas party inc. Sam Chapman recital + Maurice's pop hits
- 25th January - Meal at the Yew Tree restaurant organised by Rosemary
- 8th & 9th Feb - Fiona Harrison concert & workshop
- 9th March - Sale of Music by Russell Beeson.
Terry thanked everyone involved in the running of the Society.
I would just like to extend my thanks to Terry for all his work and support and for remembering to thank everyone.
Elections to Committee
The committee were re-elected. Terry Robinson as Chairman, Richard Thompson as Treasurer, myself as Secretary, Chris Gillson and in addition to last year, Ann Plumb. Last year Chris helped out with the publicity. This year he has offered to take on the role of concert coordinator instead.
Ann has agreed to become an official committee member. As everyone knows Ann looks after all our ensemble music and also helps out in many other ways. What some members might not know is that Ann is one of the few remaining founder members of the Society and has worked hard on our behalf though out. She has done just about every job that there is to do over the years!
Treasurer's Report
Richard summarised the accounts and reported that we have continued to thrive financially and events have generally done very well. The accounts have been audited this year by Bernadette Breslin. This is in preparation for our possible election to charitable status.
Charitable Status
It has been suggested that the society apply for official charitable status.
Richard outlined the benefits which are mainly financial. We would be eligible to claim gift aid on the members subscriptions. However this will only be applicable to UK tax payers. As an example if we only had ten members who were tax payers then we could claim at the current rate 28p in the pound from their subscriptions every year, allowing in round figures for us to claim around £100.
Other benefits are prestigious. e.g. when applying for grants and hiring premises etc.
The only disadvantages are the work involved to get it up and running and the annual claim to the inland revenue. There is no fee involved.
One of the tasks we set ourselves was to get our constitution in a form that would be acceptable to the charity commissioners. The updated constitution was handed out to members to take away and think about. Any comments would be looked into at the May meeting.
There will be a membership vote on charitable status at the June meeting.
Subscriptions
Although room charges have gone up considerably this year we are not going to increase the subscriptions. However we may have to reconsider an increase this time next year.
Tea & Coffee
Although this was not discussed at the AGM, Katie has offered to take over the responsibility of the tea things. This does not mean that she is tea lady so please don't forget to offer to help out now and again. We have dispensed with using plastic cups as they are expensive, horrible to drink out of and an unnecessary burden on the environment. This, however does mean that we need volunteers for washing up.
Katie will of course be responsible for supplying us with lots of chocolate biscuits!
Top of pageApril Meeting
We started with the ensemble exercises. Apart from the obvious reasons of teaching us to listen carefully to each other and play together the main message this month was 'Watch the conductor!'
The same exercise was used to demonstrate different instructions in dynamics from the conductor. Firstly everybody watching for dynamic change and secondly individual parts being instructed to play forte while everyone else played pianissimo.
With everyone now in the right frame of mind we managed to play through all of our concert pieces. Not too badly either!
Working backwards (not literally) we worked on the pieces in more detail.
If we had a 'tip of the month' this month's tip would be 'don't play a shorter off beat note stronger than the next note which is on the beat'.
Top of page6th Ivor Mairants Guitar Award
You may have read in the May edition of Classical Guitar Magazine that the 2003 winner of the Ivor Mairants guitar competition will be offered in addition to all their other prizes 'concert recitals by at least three leading UK guitar societies.'
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As one of the leading UK guitar societies, DGS has agreed to support the event. This is a valuable new addition to previous years prizes and will be of great help in promoting the career of a talented young artist. The competition, administered by The Worshipful Company of Musicians, will take place in London on 27th November. The DGS recital will be held in 2004. |
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The 2002 guitar award went to Jorgen Skogmo from Norway. The adjudicators were Michael Lewin, Colin Cooper, Eleftheria Kotzia, Tim Panting and Maurice Summerfield.
Top of pageKinson Festival
The Kinson Festival this year is being held on Saturday 7th June between 10 a.m. and 4.30 p.m.
It has been decided not to have a table top as the work involved would probably outweigh any rewards. Perhaps we could think about this a little earlier next year and possibly get more involved.
The organisers are also running a centre raffle (profit will go towards the new extension). Thanks to all that have already bought raffle tickets. If anyone else would like to buy or sell any please ask Ann on Sunday.
Top of pageCongratulations
DGS has sent a card of congratulations to Fiona Harrison on the birth of her gorgeous baby boy.
David Harrison Hamer was born on Tuesday 15th April, weighing 9lbs 12oz.
Fiona says " ... with Richard sharing wonderfully in the work, I have enough time to eat, sleep a little and send a few emails. It's been weird to remember there has been a war, that I actually play the guitar and there is a life beyond the constant beckoning from baby David."
Top of pageRomeo and Juliet
23rd July - 8th August
Nine of us have booked for FRIDAY 8th AUGUST.
Hurry and book now if you want to join us !
Ticket information answer phone - 01202 251 987
Guitar Gathering
CODA Music Centre
New Milton - Friday 27th June
Come along and join the students of the Coda Music Centre for an evening of music and very decent nibbles! If you would like to play a piece of music or just come along to listen you will be made welcome.
See Stephen or phone Coda on 01425 276 161. Cost £2.50
Top of pageHAGO Charity Concert
St Nicholas Church Centre, Bedhampton
Thursday July 10th
All the money from the concert and the charity raffle will go to The Rowans Hospice.
Tickets are £5, include cheese and wine, and can be reserved on the hago website, or by phone on 023 9247 9200.
Over 35 guitarists performing a mix of music from Praetorius to Elton John, and from beginner upwards.
Although this is quite a trek I am sure it will be worthwhile and very interesting to see and listen to another guitar orchestra play. If anyone would like to go I am sure arrangements could be made to share cars.
Top of pageFuture Meetings
| June 15 | from 5.45 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. | July 20 | from 5.45 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. |
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| August 17 | from 5.45 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. | September 21 | from 5.45 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. |
| October 19 | from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. | November 16 | from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
| December 21 | from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. |
Concert Diary
Saturday 17th May - 7.30 p.m.
The Regent Centre, High Street, Christchurch,
Fiesta En Espana
Dazzling Flamenco
Guitar, Keyboard, Singers & Dancers
Tel: 01202 499148
£11 (conc £9))
Saturday 21st June - Concert 7.30 p.m.
St. Mary’s Church, Dorchester
Midsummer Concert
Fabio Zanon
Premiere of Stephen Kenyon’s Guitar Concerto no 1.
Mendelssohn’s Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Schubert’s Fifth Symphony.
Tel: Stephen Kenyon 01305 257 099
www.jacaranda-music.com
Friday 27th June - Concert 8 p.m.
Forest Arts Centre, Old Milton Road, New Milton
World Music
Fapy Lafertin Quartet
Folk to jazz and gypsy to classical
Tel: 01425 612 393
£9, £8, £7
Saturday 5th July - 8 p.m.
Southampton Guitar Society
The Point Dance & Arts Centre, Eastleigh
Craig Ogden & Alison Stephens
Guitar & Mandolin
Tel: 023 8065 2333
18 - 21 July
Bath Spa University College
Eden Stell Guitar Duo Course
Website: www.igf-events.com
Sat 4th October
Derby Classical Guitar Society
Derby
Workshop & Concert with John Mills
Sat 11th October
Dorset Guitar Society
Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Rd, Kinson, Bournemouth.
Workshop & Concert with John Mills
Sun 12th October
Dorchester
Concert with John Mills
Saturday 22nd November - Concert 7.30 p.m.
Sunday 23rd November - Workshop
DORSET GUITAR SOCIETY
Kinson Community Centre
Neil Smith
Tel: Margaret Tredwell 01425 613 739