Play with the Liverpool Phil for a day Options

[notmusimum]

Just out of interest, was there any saxophone places?

(I would guess not but thought id ask just out of interest (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) )

Would you really want to sit next to Rob in that sort of situation (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

They are playing Gershwin, so there could well have been sax places.

I thought that too when I saw it was Gershwin.....

[Vicky Violin]

Hi,

I signed up for this as well - as an approximate Grade 5 violinist with a reasonable amount of orchestral experience. Am really struggling with the parts as well. I guess it's different in strings - safety in numbers - but I've actually just decided I'm going to enjoy it no matter what!

They said Grade 4 - not my problem that it's much harder music! I told them Grade 5 on the form - they know what they're getting! I'm sure that on the day everything will fall into place, somehow! And if not, I'm not bad at miming!! :-)

Looking forward to meeting you guys!

Vicky

[flobiano]

Hi,

I signed up for this as well - as an approximate Grade 5 violinist with a reasonable amount of orchestral experience. Am really struggling with the parts as well. I guess it's different in strings - safety in numbers - but I've actually just decided I'm going to enjoy it no matter what!

They said Grade 4 - not my problem that it's much harder music! I told them Grade 5 on the form - they know what they're getting! I'm sure that on the day everything will fall into place, somehow! And if not, I'm not bad at miming!! :-)

Looking forward to meeting you guys!

Vicky

I'm sure you're right. Nice to hear from someone else coming along! Looking foward to meeting you too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[allegretto]

Hi Vicky, look forward to meeting you too (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Flobiano, I've done exactly the same thing - I thought I was getting to grips with most of it and then tried a YouTube playalong (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) I'm sure they won't be expecting us to be perfect though - or quite that fast.. I hope! Would be silly to advertise something as Grade 4+ and then expect everyone to be able to play that lot note perfect (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[flobiano]

Only 2 weeks to go! What are everyone's plans for the day? I'm planning to come on the train, I was thinking of maybe taking lunch with me. I'll be staying for the whole concert to see the choir as well and would be up for staying out for a meal afterwards if anybody else would be interested?

[Vicky Violin]

Hi,

Yes, I'm up for going for a meal afterwards. I'm actually going up the day before if anybody else is?

Vicky

[allegretto]

Not quite sure what our plans are yet (dragging OH along cos he's never seen me play in public before, although I think he might be sick of hearing the pieces already (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) ) but would be lovely to catch up over lunch on the day. Is there a secret forum badge/ handshake so we can recognise each other? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Vicky Violin]

Maybe we can wear pink carnations (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Alternatively I'll just head over to the woodwind - i'm sure i'll find you guys!

[flobiano]

I'm sure you'll find us - I think there were only 4 oboe places. I'm playing 1st oboe so that probably narrows it down to 2 people! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

My plans have changed a little for the day as I'm now getting a lift there and being picked up at the end - so I won't be able to stay for a meal afterwards, unfortunately, but lunch sounds good (I think I'll buy something there). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Tenor Viol]

If people going need places to eat which are nearby, the Everyman Theatre is very good - further along Hope St. towards the Metropolitan Cathedral. Also the refectory at the Metropolitan Cathedral is quite decent.

[flobiano]

Thanks for the tips - I think there is a cafe at the hall itself too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I've just finished packing my bag.

[flobiano]

I had a fantastic time yesterday! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I think a few people had commented on the difficulty of the music as they acknowledged that in the initial welcome but made the point that they realised it was hard, but that you shouldn't worry about it, the professional's would be at the concert and the most important thing was to play what you could and enjoyed the day.

We had a 90 minute sectional rehearsal before lunch - the woodwind sectional was run by Jonathon Small (oboist!). I think he did a really good job was very encouraging - we ran through most bits and took things at a speed that we could generally play. The sectionals were done without the Phil players there and I was a bit disconcerted to be the only one on first oboe - there were 3 second oboes but I guess the split may have been based on what grade people were who applied. The rehearsal flew by.

After lunch we had full rehearsal, which the Phil players joined us for. Very positive feel to the whole thing, and (in woodwind at least) the players dropped back to let the amateurs take the solos that they could (and did a bit of coaching to help with those) but would back up the bits that were more difficult.

We had a break before the main concert - which was a good opportunity to have a cup of tea and a cake with Vicky Violin and Allegretto. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) It was lovely to meet you both!

The concert was a great way to round of the day. I think it went well very well, there were a good number of people there and it was amazing to play in the Philharmonic Hall. The Gershwin was particularly amazing to play.

So as you could see I would whole heartedly recommend this event to anyone (though you probably would need to really be about grade 6/7 at least to really get the most from it!). BUT it does sell out very quickly so you need to book as soon at tickets go on line. I would love to go again but due to the scarcity of woodwind places, and the demand, I think it is only fair to let someone else have a go next time. So will hold off booking for the next one.

The next one will be 15 June 2013, tickets on sale in September.

They also do a Supersing, though this is 5 weeks of rehearsal so you probably need to be in the Liverpool area to do that - the choirs sing in the second half of the concert and were fab! So I imagine that was pretty fun too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Tenor Viol]

Glad you had a good time. Sorr yI couldn't at least get to the performance.

I've always liked the Philharmonic Hall. It's a stunning Art Deco interior and the accoustics are very good.

[schraeubchen]

Thank you for reporting Flobiano. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[allegretto]

Amazing day!

Flobiano has summed it up wonderfully - it was hard work but the professionals (and other participants) were wonderfully supportive. For me it was the first time I'd played in an orchestra for 15 years and it brought back everything that I loved about it. I was amazed by the progress we all made through the day - really did think the music was too ambitious but it worked! There were 6 or 7 flutes plus three professionals - the two of us on 1st shared the solos (it was a little bit scary at first when the Phil player said "I'm not playing those bits!"). Great venue, and quite a sound when the whole 'super orchestra' was in full flow!

Utterly exhausted yesterday but on such a high (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Lovely to meet Vicky and Flobiano (and hear your fab oboe solos!)

Oh and the cake was great (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)