Newsletter - September 2003

Articles

John Mills Concerts | Quote of the month | John Mills Biography | Concerto by S. Kenyon | Next meeting | Extra Rehearsal | Valerie’s Rehearsal | August Meeting | Guitar Break - Bloxham | Flute player seeks guitarist | West Dean | Guitar Notes | Future Meetings | Concert Diary | Contact Numbers

John Mills & the Dorset and Derby Exchange Concerts

There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the John Mills concerts. Although we have had several discussions at the monthly meetings I realise that I have not actually written anything down on paper since July and August 2002! I am now about to put that right.

There are three concerts involved. These are all joint ventures with the Derby Classical Guitar Society and John Mills is the soloist.

Saturday 4th October - Derby

Six members have signed up to go to Derby and will be travelling with Stephen early-ish on Saturday morning on 4th October. Richard is investigating the possibility of hiring a mini bus.

When we arrive there will be a rehearsal with John Mills in the afternoon before giving the performance in the evening. We will all be staying over night, accommodated by members of the Derby Guitar Society and travelling home on Sunday.

Saturday 11th October - Kinson

Six or seven members of the Derby Society will travel down to Dorset on 11th October.

The Derby players will arrive at Kinson at approx 1 p.m. where they will be met by members of the committee and given lunch.

We initially talked of a workshop when perhaps we should have said rehearsal. I’m not sure when a rehearsal becomes a workshop or visa versa.

Please arrive at 1.45 p.m. for 2 p.m start. There will be the usual break for tea and biscuits and there will also be sandwiches provided for you at approx 5.30 pm. There may be time to go for a walk or for those who live near there may be time to go home in between the rehearsal and the concert.

The concert will be in the main hall and will start at 7.30 pm.

Members of the Derby Society will be staying over night at DGS members’ homes.

Sunday 12th October - Dorchester

The concert will be repeated on Sunday 12th at St. Mary’s Church in Dorchester.

You will need to arrive at 2 p.m. The concert will start at 3 p.m. and there will be a cream tea in the interval.

There will be a celebration party at Sarah’s house after the concert. If you wish to go would you please bring a dish of food and let Sarah know on Sunday. Also please specify what dish you will be bringing so that we can coordinate the food.

Most DGS members have signed up for these two days but if you haven’t and would like to partake then we must know by Sunday.

Music

1. Concerto no II for guitar and guitar orchestra by Stephen Kenyon. Everybody taking part will be playing this piece. John Mills will obviously be playing the solo part.
2. Concerto in D by Vivaldi. Because of the nature of the piece only those going to Derby plus the Derby players will be playing this piece. One or two more experienced players may also be asked to take part if needed.
3. Kalimba by Jürg Kindle - All DGS players
4. Paladio by Gary Spolding - Derby players
5. Other Solos - John Mills

The exact order of the programme will be given out on the day.

Dress

Black bottoms and white tops.

This is a unique opportunity for DGS and I hope that everyone thoroughly enjoys themselves.

Any other questions just email or give me a ring.

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Quote of the Month

“If I don’t practise for one day, I know it; if I don’t practise for two days, the critics know it; if I don’t practise for three days, the audience knows it.”

Igancy Jan Paderewski (1860 - 1941)

Quoted in Shapiro, An Encyclopaedia of Quotations about Music, 1978

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John Mills Biography

Regarded as one of Britain’s finest concert guitarists, and a performer of international repute, John Mills began learning the instrument at the age of nine. He subsequently studied with John Williams at the Royal College of Music, London, and with Julian Bream and Andrés Segovia, in master-classes in England and Spain respectively. Segovia later commented that Mr Mills playing "had purity of technique and musical sensitivity".

In 1970, he was a prize-winner in the Greater London Arts Association search for talented young performers, and he then made his official London debut at the Wigmore Hall the following year. His international debut came in 1972 with a tour of Eastern Canada, and he has since given hundreds of performances in North America, Europe, Scandinavia, S. E. Asia, Australia and New Zealand, as well as a vast number of recitals on the British circuit.

Since the early 1970’s, John Mills has performed often on BBC radio broadcasts. He was the first guitarist to perform in the then newly-built Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, and has appeared many times in recitals and chamber music concerts at the Purcell Room and Wigmore Hall. Also in demand around the world for master-classes and seminars, his books "Music from the Student Repertoire" and "The John Mills Guitar Tutor" are best-sellers. John Mills has also contributed much to the development of a high-quality student guitar, working in combination with the Japanese company Asturias.

Between 1985 and 1988, John Mills and his wife, concert guitarist Cobie Smit, resided in New Zealand, based at the Nelson School of Music. In addition to a huge number of concerts and broadcasts, they also played to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at a two-hour special reception in Nelson.

John Mills is currently Head of Guitar at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff, a professor at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and visiting lecturer at Christ Church College, Canterbury. He is an Associate of both the R.C.M. and R.A.M., and is a Fellow of the City of Leeds College of Music.

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Concerto for Guitar and Guitar Orchestra by S. Kenyon

The Concerto follows a conventional three movement pattern. The opening statement of the first movement recalls Schubert, one of the few major composers to take any interest in the guitar. It proceeds in sonata form allowing the soloist plenty of opportunities for expression and display, including a brief cameo appearance by the inventor of guitar ensemble in the UK, Gilbert Biberian.

The second movement is based on two folk tunes, the second of which (I Live Not Where I Love) was collected near Upwey, Weymouth. The first tune, upon which a number of loose variations are constructed, is Bushes and Briars.

The third movement continues the folk atmosphere by launching into a reel (invented). A second reel is introduced which during the course of the movement takes over and ends the work in affirmative style.

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Next Meeting

The next meeting will take place on 21 Sept at 5.45 p.m. until 9.30 pm. in the small hall. We will be continuing with Stephen’s Concerto and making a start on Vivaldi’s Concerto in D. For those not involved in the Vivaldi, you are welcome to stay and listen of go home early if you wish. Posters will be available so please take as many as you think you can display. Thank you

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Extra Rehearsal

An extra rehearsal has been arranged for Sunday 28 Sept at 5.45 p.m. until 9.30 p.m. in the small hall. This is strictly for those taking part in any of the three John Mills concerts. John Mills will be joining us for this rehearsal.

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Rehearsal at Valerie’s House - Wimborne

For those who feel they need more rehearsal time - Valerie is arranging an evenings rehearsal at her house from 7.15 p.m. for a 7.30 p.m. start

The proposed dates are:

• Wednesday 24th September
• Thursday 25th September
• Tuesday 30th September
• Thursday 4th October

If you would like an extra, extra rehearsal please email Valerie and let her know which of the above evenings you are free so that she can arrange a date.

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August Meeting

This was one occasion where I was really sorry not to have my camera with me because you looked truly amazingly, ridiculously FUNNY!

Literally wearing our sight - reading hats we displayed our talents before our suitably amused conductor.

This was the first rehearsal for the John Mills concert series. We worked on Stephen’s Concerto which went very well for a first run through, even if it was slightly under tempo. Well ok a lot under tempo.

Nobody wanted to play any solos, so we continued with our ensemble playing.

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Bank Holiday Guitar Break - Bloxham

Different people have different ideas about what constitutes a bank holiday break. Maybe yours is walking in the forest or lying on a beach but if you think you would enjoy swimming at 7 a.m. in the morning, followed by a 'fretboard flight’ before breakfast, large guitar ensembles, small guitar ensembles and a solo guitar masterclass before lunch - private ensembles, an animated lecture, flute and guitar duo sessions, Keys, Scores and Musical Memory before dinner then this could be the guitar course for you! It certainly was for me, Sarah, Bill and Kay.

This flute and guitar course was run by Fiona Harrison (guitar), Julie Wright and Atarah Ben -Tovim (flutes), and it took place in the beautiful setting of Bloxham School, Near Banbury. The accommodation was very good - I even had a private shower in my room (perhaps I should keep quiet about that) and Sarah had a fridge in hers. She was initially quite excited about this as she thought it was a private bar! The excitement was quickly dispelled when she realised it was empty and that it hummed all night. However, she did unplug it on the second night.

There were twelve guitarists and many more flutists on the course. This was a unique opportunity to play with a flutist, although it was by no means compulsory to the course. We were actually only allocated two half an hour sessions with our flute partners although some folk did manage to squeeze in more time. Some even managed an extra swim.

Those who attended Fiona’s workshop back in February will already know that she is excellent at bringing out the best in players, whether it be solos or ensemble. Every session we had was enjoyable and informative.

In addition to everything else, there was also the opportunity to play a solo in the 'guitar solo spotlight’ session.

The evening concerts consisted of:

• Monday - a flute concert.
• Tuesday - three concerts: guitars + flutes, Fiona and Julie, and the Famous Alternative Evening!.
• Wednesday - Guitar Orchestra + Tutti Flute and Guitar.

The subject of the animated lecture was ’Tone and Timbre’ given by Professor Mike Gluyas. (He also kindly supplied the above photo.) This was extremely entertaining and enlightening. I was thrilled to discover that I could hear several decibels more than average for my age group.

I should also mention the social sing along and the free wine!

I met lots of lovely people, and I am hoping to see them all again next year.

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Flute player seeks guitarist

I have been playing flute now for just under 2 years having reached the level of grade 4, doing grade 5 this December. I am looking for opportunities to play with other musicians and wondered if you know of any guitarists who may be interested in playing with flute. I am looking to gain more experience in playing in small ensembles and the like.

May I also add I am 41 and would prefer to work with similar age group. Fussy or what?

David McKenzie

You can contact David either by phone or by email. If anyone is interested please let me know and I will put you in touch.

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West Dean Guitar Festival - August

The West Dean Guitar Festival is organised by John Mills, and runs from Saturday to Saturday with tutors such as John himself, Davis Leissner and Benjamin Verdery from the USA, Eleftheria (Ellie) Kotzia from Greece, Karin Schaup from Australia and Gerald Garcia, Amanda Cook and Andrew Gough from the UK.

David Leissner, Benjamin Verdery, Karin Schaup, and the Eden Stell Duo gave evening recitals. The students did the last night time concert.

There were about 60 students, and we were split into groups of about a dozen by ability levels. For the first time they had a beginners group and this covered absolute beginners through to grade 3 This was run by Andrew Gough and I think operated somewhat separately from the rest of us.

The remainder were split into grades 4 through 6 and un-graded with some experience, Grades 6 through 8 were the next, and 'advanced players' for the rest. I may not have this quite right as there should be five groups, but the principle is there.

You form informal duets/ trios/quartets from the group you get put in, so it important to make sure you are in the right group to avoid frustration. If you are un-graded - get a grade. (The ABSM does a sort of 'Music for Pleasure' where you play three of the pieces from the grade you want to pass plus a contrasting piece of your choice, and you don’t have to do any of the technical stuff.- scales-aural test- music theory and so on.)

We started each day at 0930 with a physical warm-up, followed by technical exercises- scales, arpeggios and so on, then sight-reading etc - the Learning Zone.

After a short coffee break it was a sort of junior master-class. These were run by John for Baroque, David for Classical, Ellie for Romantic and Gerry/Ben for Modern. Orchestra by Gerry then followed this. Then we broke for lunch.

After lunch there were private lessons - every student got two half hour private one to one lessons. Mine were with John and Andrew. While these were going on there were students’ informal concerts or do your own thing, perhaps as part of a small group. The next sessions were formal Master-Classes by the Concert Performers and the advanced students. After a tea break there were ensemble classes followed by more lessons or informal ensembles.

Dinner was followed by the formal Concerts, which were all of an exceptionally high standard. The concerts finished about 2200 when we all (well most of the 60 or so) retired to the bar until they threw us out about midnight.

We broke up the following Saturday after a students concert, which was mainly ensemble pieces

There was an awful lot going on, but unlike school you didn’t have to attend everything, and if you wanted to collapse over the newspaper with a coffee instead, or take a stroll through the grounds you could do so.

If you want any advice I would say- get graded so that you are in the right group, get stuck in and form informal group(s) early, for the week goes by in a flash.

It was a great week and I shall be there again next year.

My notes on this and the other courses I have done this year are attached in case any one finds them helpful.

Bill Rhys

Bill Rhys has been on THREE consecutive summer schools this summer, which surely deserves a medal. He is going to share his guitar notes with us over the next few months. This month: Nails and Warm Up. Next Month: Practising

See Diary: Weekend Courses at West Dean

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Guitar Notes from West Dean, Bloxham & Londonderry

Nails

Sit properly, with your guitar balanced *, with hands free, arms hanging loose. Put hands lightly on the strings, left hand fingers parallel to the frets, right hand first three fingers together and on the first three strings. This should be your playing position.

Play a slow deliberate free stroke and focus on the sensation in tip of your right hand first finger, and listen hard. Be aware of any slight catching of the nail on the string or twang within the sound. Using a nail polisher (from Superdrug £2- pink-white-grey), polish off the catch. Repeat until the first finger does not catch. Do the remaining right hand fingers and thumb in the same way. Keep your left hand nails short, they must not touch the fingerboard.

Warm Up

Begin each session by warming up and stretching:

• Rotate about 10 times in each direction:
• Ankles - On tiptoes. - Knees. - Hips - Waist - also bend at the waist and dangle! - Neck
• Fingers - Wrist - Elbows - Shoulders - stretch open shoulders
• Shake everything

The minimum is to do fingers through to shoulders

Bill Rhys

* If you have short legs like me, and cannot balance your guitar without your hands, try out a collapsible camping stool from Millets - £5.

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Future Meetings

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.

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Concert Diary

Saturday 20 Sept - Workshop 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Chandlers Ford Community Centre
Saturday 20 Sept - Concert 8 p.m.
The Point, Leigh Rd, Eastleigh
Southampton Guitar Society
McClelland Cousté Duo
Tel: Wayne Lines 01329 310792 (£40 inc. lunch & concert)
Concert only £9 (conc £6)

Sat 4th October
Derby Classical Guitar Society
Derby
Concert with John Mills

Sat 11th October 7.30 p.m.
Dorset Guitar Society
Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Millhams Rd, Kinson, Bournemouth.
Concert with John Mills
Tel: Margaret Tredwell 01425 613 739
£8 (Conc £6)

Sun 12th October 3 p.m.
St. Mary’s Church, Edwards Rd, Dorchester
Concert with John Mills
Tel: Stephen Kenyon 01305 257 099
£8 - to include cream tea

Thursday 30 October - Lunchtime Recital 1.05 p.m.
Lighthouse, Poole
John Mills
Tickets and Information Tel: 01202 685222 - £5

Saturday 15 November - Concert 8 p.m.
Southampton Guitar Society
The Point, Leigh Rd, Eastleigh
José Manuel Dapena
Tel: Box Office: 023 8065 2333 £9 (conc £6)

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

Wednesday 26 November - Concert 8 p.m.
Music Society Concert
Dorset County Museum, High West Street, Dorchester
Michael Partington
Tel: 01305 262 735 - £8

Friday 12 - Sunday 14 December (Weekend)
Urchfont Manor, Devizes, Wiltshire
Guitar course
A course aimed at providing guitar ensemble experience in an orchestral situation and in smaller groupings.
Tutors: Raymond Burley & Cornelius Bruinsma
Tel: 01380 840495
£88 (non residential), £109, £115, £126, £136

Friday 20 - Sunday 22 February
Dillington House, Ilminster, Somerset
Guitar course
This weekend gives classical guitarists of all ages and of varying abilities the opportunity to participate in a guitar orchestra. Parts in the orchestra range in difficulty from elementary (grade 2) to advanced (grade 8) and will be allocated in accordance with playing standard, The music will be made available one month before the course, allowing some advance preparation.
Tutors: Peter Rueffer
Tel: 01460 258 613
www.dillington.co.uk
£106 (non residential), £141, £152, £157, £168, £179

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