Just to let you know that the information for this year's Forums Concert in Woodford Green, Essex, on September 22nd is now available.

If you are interested, please PM me giving your email address and I will send you all the info.

Last year, all the solo slots had been taken after about a fortnight, so if you want the chance of a solo, it's best to book early!

I am interested in going, dependent on when college starts. Can I send my application form and book a solo slot, but withdraw if I find I am unable to go?

Car Expert

You can, because like last year there may well be a 'waiting list' of people wanting to play solos, so if you had to drop out there would certainly be someone only too willing to fill your shoes . But surely you won't have college on a Saturday anyway?

No, but if it starts before the 22nd, then it might mean my dad will have to travel up to Norfolk from London on the Friday by car, take me down to Woodford, take me back to Norfolk, and then travel back down to London, so it will be a bit awkward (considering the money for the petrol ). If it starts after the 22nd, then I'll be able to stay down in London for the week to avoid all of the travelling up and down. I might see what the trains are like...

Now to decide on a piece...

Car Expert

Shiny gold stars for first-arrivals-in-the-post go to andante-in-c, Andy-piano-flute and sbhoa.

Silver commendations go to willobie and Katyjay for their online forms!

Mine's printed off. Is it ok if I confirm my solo piece later?

It'll be odd - I'll be teacherless, and off to uni the week after !

*fills out form*

I'm not sure what I'll be doing, piece- and transport-wise...

Car Expert

Have filled out my form, it'll be in the post tomorrow morning.

The TBAs you'll find on it Jo I'll tell you about as soon as possible.

I *MIGHT* possibly have to ration the small-group items - we'll definitely only have time for six of them in the concert, and two people have already asked for two slots each (involving different people - so that means that four slots are taken already!).

This'll be OK if not many more want to do small-group things, BUT if lots more want to I may have to restrict it to only one of those items per person, I'm afraid....

That's OK, Jo. I'll understand if that happens. How to choose, though...

Similarly, that's OK with me. I put a big IF on one of those items anyway...

Yes, that's fine, Nicki!
How many small-group items do you want to take part in ?

1 x solo
1 x duet with APF
and then choir and grand ensemble

Oh, and because hillyb can't go, Sbhoa is accompanying me (but this is instead of her solo, if you get me)

(will send form asap)

I've sent my form and cheque off today, jo, so you should get it tomorrow all being well. I've applied for a solo and also an ensemble - except I haven't got anyone to play with yet if any other clarinettists would like to play with me, would they please email or PM me I've asked June Emerson to bring some duo/trio/quartet music to the Leeds concert and I'm hoping there'll be something suitable there for an ensemble of mixed abilities.

I've just PM'd Jo for details.

I'll be sending off my form tomorrow.

My form is completed, and in an envelope with my cheque, ready to be posted tomorrow. Do I get a bronze star, or are we now down to the copper ones?

Mine got sent off today

Sbhoa and I would like to play a clarinet duet if you can fit us in Jo

I can't download my form!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The computer won't accept multiple quotes at the moment, so I'll answer all questions here!

Yes, sbhoa and skylark, you can do a clarinet duet. All the small-group slots have now been taken, though, so anyone else who wants to take part in one and whose form I haven't yet had (or whose partner(s) haven't booked a slot already) will have to go on the Reserve list, I'm afraid!

Solos - 10 out of the available 20 are already booked, and with more on their way in the post......

Stars? will copper ones with glitter round the edges do, Deborah?

DaisyChain - do you mean download or print? Could you read the info and form documents?

No...couldn't get anything. I have a new computer, so there's probably something I still need to do but haven't in regards to downloading. Perhaps one of the computer boffs can tell me what I need to do!! I'll PM you with my work e-mail. Thanks Jo.

I've sent the info to your work email, DaisyChain.

thank you!!

My application is in the post on its way to you!



Ambs
x

Only five more solo slots up for grabs now!

I have my form now...thanks Jo. Will be in the post directly...

Thank you...

Two more solo slots still available.........

Oh dear...this clashes with my trip to Bucharest this year, so I won't be able to come again.

That's two years I've missed Woodford :sob: :weep: :cry:

Update - there are now 18 solo slots booked, and 8 small-group items. Although I didn't want more than 6 of the latter, I've decided to allow them all, as otherwise one or two people would lose out because their partner is doing two small-group pieces involving different people.

According to my calculations, what with the solos, smaller and larger groups we already have, the concert-time is now well and truly filled up.

Anyone else who wants to play a solo but hasn't yet booked will go on the Reserve list, and if someone is absent or withdraws for some reason (as has happened before at these Forums Concerts) the Reserve player will then be able to perform. In the meantime, they are very welcome to join in the recorder ensemble, choir and Grand Finale ensemble.

DaisyChain - your form hasn't yet arrived here, but I've saved you a solo slot.

Wooo, that filled up quickly!

Good that your concert is proving once again to be really popular.

"Have drums will travel" (to Woodford that is!!)
If any of the ensembles need a drummer or any soloist wants rhythm accompaniment let me know as I will be there and would like to play rather than just listen!!

I'm affraid I have a weding to go to on that day. I shall miss coming down.

Have fun and I shall enjoy hearing reports.

Oh, oh, oh - I'm not playing, but if I were I would love rhythm accompaniment!

It's possible I'll make it up to Woodford to be in the audience, will depend on term dates etc for my music lessons in September.

Any in Sussex?

Woodford's only about an hour and a half away from Sussex (by car)

Car Expert

Hi Jo,

I hope you got my PM...form in the post now..the other one must have got lost.

Can you confirm receipt of this new one please, as I have put a stop to the cheque I sent before I went away to Leeds.

Thank you...

Yes, I did get your PM - thanks - and have held a solo slot for you. I'm going away for a weekend's recorder playing in about half-an-hour, so I'm about to close down the computer. I haven't had the replacement form and cheque yet, and if it comes tomorrow I won't see it till I'm back on Sunday evening, but I'll let you know as soon as I know myself!

Thank you..enjoy your weekend!

There could be if you organise it.
However....
This year there will have been 4 forum user concerts and 2 Adult Learners concerts scattered around the country. One of the potential problems if everyone had one on their doorstep is that there wouldn't be enough people to make so many concerts viable.

I've copied the posts below from another thread to save typing it out again. As sbhoa intimated above, the opportunity is there for any forum member to organise an event in their own area. However, it would be useful to attend either an existing forum users concert or an adult learners concert first in order to to get a "feel" for it, and in practice, members who are planning to organise a concert try to ensure that events don't clash.

Woodford Green or Teddington may seem a long way from Sussex, but many forum members travel all over the country to forum events. For instance, for the recent concert in Leeds, Yorkshire, members travelled from Hampshire, Kent, Northants, Surrey, Anglesey, West Midlands and from half way up Scotland, as well as from all across the north of England; and I'm sure other concert organisers could recount similar distances. I've travelled to as far as Egham in Surrey from Leeds, Yorkshire, and I am going to Woodford Green, and hopefully Teddington depending on the date. So Sussex to Woodford Green or Teddington seems just round the corner And if you look in the 2008 thread as I suggested, you'll see that one is being planned for Farnborough in Kent which is probably even closer...

Hope to meet you at one of the events soon

Oh no, I'm too late for a solo slot at Woodford again, and its the only venue I can easily get to. I don't count as an Adult learner, and couldn't do Leeds so it looks like I've missed out again.


At least there's Spain as a consolation...


Jo

When do I have to send photocopies of music by, and who to?

Yes, when's my deadline for deciding what to play?

Mention of jam sessions in other forum concert threads has reminded me of something I meant to post weeks ago - would any of the forum clarinettists be interested in a scratch clarinet ensemble during the morning? With the recorder ensemble, choir practice and grand finale, any such group would probably have to meet between 10.00 and 11.30, and even then, people would be coming and going for rehearsals with the official accompanist, but how do people feel about it? (and Barry, were such an ensemble to happen, please could you bring something suitable from your vast library?)

I'd join if if there's time and you'll have me.

ditto !

Yes, I could find something I'm sure.

And of course we'd have you sbhoa!

I've been missed off Must have upset him on the Sensible thread Sorry

OK, going into list-making mode for a while, if a clarinet ensemble happens it'll include me, barry-clari, skylark, sbhoa and Carl. Anyone else?

Barry, good luck in finding appropriate music!