Hi

Did anyone who was allocated a place for any of the BBC Play it Again events register for a group of people?

I have been allocated a place at Maida Vale studios but I registered with my kids as well and they haven't had emails yet, I wondered if anyone else registered for a group and if the emails came through separately?

Also - is anyone else going to this one on 7th July - if so might see you there

I registered for the Belfast event & had to do separate application forms - me & 4 children on 1, & my husband separately (because there was a maximum of 5 on 1 form). I then sent an email asking for the applications to be considerd together - I did get acknowledgement of that. A couple of weeks beforehand we each received an individual email (which you print out & take with you), & then a duplicate for everyone arrived a couple of days beforehand
The Belfast one was last Sunday - turned out to be very enjoyable & we all had a great time. If you look at the photo gallery for Belfast we (ie me/kids) are in some of the photos

I can't believe it! I've just been told that I got in!

Has something to do with the instrument I play and the fact that the chap told me they'd be delighted to have a violist there as they rarely get enough! I even got a reserve ticket on that strength, (by which I mean that they know I might well not be able to go, but they've given me the allocation in case I can make it after all!). So, if you want to go and haven't been able to get in, ask for a viola ticket!!!!!!

Have you just had an email? I guess you were applying for Leeds... I am still hoping to hear - I applied for the afternoon...

W

SOB SOB! I haven't heard anything yet!


Glad you've got in though Elisabeth - onwards and upwards, one week a forum concert, the next week the BBC Orchestra!


skylark x

Yup, me too all the way. If you're wanting Leeds afti with your viola, you're in!

You should be hearing soon, Skylark, but clarinet is sooooo popular.... You need to take up oboe instead!!!

I'll keep my fingers crossed then!

*hopes she did put down to do viola...*

W

I registered for 4 of us and eventually got all 4 invitation e-mails delivered to the account registered at the same time. I did, however, register pretty late - only 4 days before the event - and ended up chasing/checking on the phone as well.

If anyone's wondering about the format of the events/how they're run, I managed to capture an audio diary of the Watford event I attended (albeit recorded from within the bass section - having played tuba for only 9 months) at the HUMS Aloud podcast. Brilliant fun - very inclusive and a good opportunity to talk to others of all sorts of musical persuasions!

Ah thanks for that, still no sign of the other emails, I've contacted them and asked but no response yet, I wonder whether it is because I have registered as a singer, due to a reluctance to tow a piano along the M4, and my kids are registered as string players.

I rang them a little while ago and they said that they were still waiting confirmation about the clarinets from the orchestra. So all is not lost.

Yes he was there - singing . In the photos, I think half a shoulder is in 1 & his hand in another!! Considering how many people were there, the "piano-flute" family were well represented in the photos

*waits patiently by her inbox*

I got a reply today...but some of us have mean parents who obviously don't understand the huge amount it would mean to me to get to play with the philharmonic. *sob sob*

The mail I got was checking which instrument I played, so if you didn't put anything, they'll contact you too with the same Q. Could be that they needed info from everyone who applied before contacting applicants. I'm sure you'll get in as tickets seem to be in heavy demand, but as they are so many per instrument and violist are a rare breed, (the BBC chap said he was sure the orchestra would 'jump at the chance of a violist'), you're certain to be in. Just wish I could go! Doesn't look likely as we are away, but we did come back early last time, so I might see you there....

I've been in touch with them, and although we haven't had all the emails yet, my girls are down to play in the orchestra, but they weren't sure what my youngest was going to do so had her down for percussion. They were happy to change it for violin though

I'VE GOT MY EMAIL CONFIRMATION!!! WOO_HOO!!!

That's good news.

I just got my confirmation of a place at the Leeds afternoon one next weekend - (I emailed them and maybe that hurried the process along a bit).
Nova

I registered ages ago (on viola, too!) but no email so far...

Edit: I have my email now! Anyone else going to the evening Leeds event?

I've just got my confirmation for the Friday afternoon event in Leeds - anyone else going to that? I see that Nova will be there...

W

I'm going to the evening event - shall we meet up?

I have been trying to change to the evening one as I'm not sure I will be able to get to the afternoon one. If it all works out meeting up sounds a good idea.
Nova

Sounds like I might be on my own...

W

Hope you enjoy the event skylark!

Do you think it might be our turn next Sbhoa?

Glad everyone's got in! I think it's esp great that they will have at least 2 violists to work with. Won't miss me then, as I doubt I'll be able to go and, much as I'd have loved it, I frankly think my level is too low for me to get the most out of it. If there's something like this next year.....

They make a point of saying that the events are tailored for beginners, even though everybody is welcome. If you do get back from holiday early like you did last time, do come along as I think the atmosphere and the overall experience will be great, even if you can't join in with the playing as much as you'd like. I'll look out for you, just in case, and phantasmagoriana and possibly nova will be there too in the evening session. And willobie in the afternoon session, with nova if she doesn't swap.

Sorry I won't see you willobie, hope you enjoy the afternoon session

Hey Skyers!!

The e-mail confirmation says:

"Whilst you will be given help and advice from the musicians, the event is not able to offer tuition. If you require personal tutoring then the Play it Again event may not be suitable for you."

One of the reasons I couldn't join the string ensemble at the Leeds concert is that I simply couldn't play the part or play in that key, (which was G2 or even higher level notes for viola)! I have next to no ability or skill as yet and am in heavy need of 'personal tutoring', as they put it! I know very basic bowing and some of the easier notes, nothing more. The only reasons I did OK at the concert are that Katyjay picked a dead simple piece, I have a reasonable ear for sound and am used to doing things in front of loads of people. Realistically speaking, I would struggle and not be able to participate at the BBC event anything like as well as Willobie will, for instance. She's been playing 18 months and I've been at it for only 4, almost 2 of which I was ill for!

The beginners' business, I think, is talking about percussion and singers, not instrumentalists. They don't expect you to be DipAB level, but I do think that I'd need to be further on that I am in order to really get the full flavour of it. They're not expecting people to go hoping to learn a complex instrument on the day.

However, if I am back, I'll give it a go, but I'm not going to pester Sir to come home early on my account as I think it will be over-challenging for me. Kinda like had you been asked to play the sorts of pieces you're learning now when you'd been doing clarinet for only 3 months. If I dif think I could do well with it, I'd ask to change to the Salford event the next day....

Hope everyone has a fab time!! I esp. want the violists to tell me all about it afterwards.

They have let me change to the evening event; I wouldn't have been able to go otherwise - mainly because I am sure it said Saturday the 15th on the website when I applied and I just thought they had made a mistake with the date!
N

Mine was waiting when I got back from Edinburgh today.
Was dated Yesterday lunch time.
Have PMed you.

Was it something I said..?



W

Elizabeth how did you get in touch with them? I'm wondering if the girls applications actually went through as I sent them form an internet access in Portmadog.

Hey Lizzie_rb

Look at what the BBC Play it Again web site says (not that I want to try and sway you or anything )


Q: I have never played an instrument in my life, can I still come?

A: Yes! Play it Again events are open to everyone, regardless of their musical ability, so don’t be put off if you don’t feel you’re musical enough.


Q: Do I have to bring an instrument?

A: No. Play it Again events are open to all levels of musical ability, so you don’t have to already play or own an instrument to come along. If you want to bring an instrument, select ‘I play an instrument’ when you register for an event.


My reading is that you'd fit in perfectly

We're all going to the evening do - me, phantas, nova (sorry willobie ) - now you don't want to miss out on anything do you

See how you go hun x

Well Skyers, you need to go to bed earlier!! That post was timed at almost 3am!!!!

What you quoted from the site looks the same as what I said! I think the expression 'I play an instrument' means that you actually can play it, not have just learned how to hold it!!! The percussion and voice sessions seem to be for those who fit into the 'I'm not musical, I've never played before' category. If they're not able to tutor us on an instrument, then one can't expect much more than that really. They do say if you need tuition on an instrument, then the session isn't for you. My understanding is that, if you're bringing an instrument, you have to be able to play the basics on it.

Anyway, as I almost certainly won't be able to go, (I am away on holiday until the next morning and, understandably, my hubby who really isn't interested in this event, isn't keen on cutting our hols short for it) it doesn't matter that much, but I hope you all have a great time. Oh, I was booked for the afternoon session, not evening, so I wouldn't have seen many of you anyway.

Hope you have a good holiday, and best wishes with your viola learning when you get back

Just to back up what some of the others have already said....I did the Belfast event & the beginners bit applies to all groups - even instrumentalists. Some of the violinists were only able to play open strings & they were fine. The piece is written so that the variations are of differing levels. And all fit with the others so if you can manage the simplest one you can just play that. Everyone is "buddied" with a pro & if you can't manage it they will write something that fits in & that you can manage - I have a feeling at our event, in 1 of the faster parts it was pointed out that a B played to the rhythm would be fine. It really was accessible to all levels

Noodle -I certainly will let you know- the next one I know of will be next year's "Come & Play" - entry froms available in September i think

Still trying not to take it personally...

W

Had a 'reminder' email about it - tomorrow's the day!

W

Anybody else for Salford on Saturday afternoon?

Not sure whether I'm going to make it in time for the Leeds evening event...haven't been able to get any time off work, and starting at 6.30 doesn't give me a lot of time to get there. Will try and make it...

The girls have their confirmations now phew!! They almost thought that they weren't going to be able to do it. Leeds must have a more active musical set than Manchester lol!!

I knew about them .... anyone else to look out for?

How did the evening session in Leeds go?

W

It was very enjoyable! We played an arrangement of The Great Gate of Kiev from Pictures at an Exhibition and it sounded really good! (well I thought so anyway )

The percussion was brilliant - all sorts of different instruments that I've never seen before but what people who hadn't played an instrument could bang, rattle or roll

Did you get to the afternoon event willobie?

Yes we did the same music as you. The orchestra was late getting there as they were stuck in traffic so we got off to a rather slow start... Once we got going it was very good and I was amazed at the way it all went together at the end! I did find the hand signals a bit hard to remember though but, so did the orchestra...

Did you play in the orchestra or were you in one of the other groups?

W

It was a really good event, and I'd love to do it again. Inclusive, well organised and free - what more can you ask of the BBC!? (I hope I'm not on TV though) N

Just back from the Salford event.

Had a good day. Handed out quite a few infromation sheets for the Adult Learners concert and they let my put up posters too.
Also managed to recruit a baritone sax player for our orchestra.

Sounds good on all counts sbhoa.

How did the Salford event go?