I've just received information about a Woodwind Orchestra Playday which is taking place in central London on 26th January 2008. It looks good - there'll be trade stands there as well as all the playing. I'm certainly going, and have sent off my form this morning. I hope I'll see some other Forumites there!

Thanks for the prod, Jo. I had details with the most recent CASS magazine and thought it looked fun. I think I'm free that day; if so, see you there

Edit: Just realised I'm out that evening. Need to think about the logistics of leaving instruments in cloakrooms, which might scupper plans for a clarinet love-in during the day

Cheers Jo - that looks good, shall have to have a shufty in my diary and see what's what - should be ok tho

Hope to be there too

Is this just for Clarinet?

No, all orchestral woodwinds.

That looks rather good, thanks for sharing Jo. I think I'm free that Saturday...

Wow I'm free that day

I'll see if I can get a day pass from the housework and try to make that.

Have filled my form out, and it'll go away when the postal strike is over.

Isn't it strange that one can say 'fill the form out' or 'fill the form in', and it means the same thing!

Let's pull this thread out of the archive, as it's later this month.

Who's booked to come to this event?

The organiser phoned me the other day - apparently there are loads of clarinets (and their owners) going already, but he needs more other woodwinds, and was phoning round to ask if any of us could play anything else! So if any flute, oboe, bassoon or sax-playing Forumites are interested, contact him on the link given earlier on in the thread as soon as possible!

b-c has volunteered to do some sax playing too

Oh, I'd assumed that "orchestral woodwinds" didn't include sax. It's a Saturday though, so I'm otherwise engaged or I'd have been tempted to come along.

Do you have to be a particular standard?

Oh...I just saw the entry deadline

When he rang me a few days ago, he mentioned that about 50 people had booked, but that he had hoped for about 100 - so I would imagine that if you did want to come you would be welcome. It would probably be best to email him direct to ask - I think his email address is somewhere on the site.

I'd email (the address is on the website) if you want to go - the voicemail I received over New Year suggests that the organiser would welcome anyone else who wants to go to play flute, sax and/or oboe with open arms, regardless of the closing date. Your flute playing standard, going by your signature, will be fine.

With two days to go, who have we got on the forum coming to this event?

Not me Aside from the logistical difficulties of taking a change of clothes to the playday and a clarinet to the ROH in the evening, I'm going to a surprise 70th birthday lunch that day.

I hope it goes well, and I look forward to hearing all about it afterwards.

That's a pity Deborah. A report will appear here on Sunday morning, all being well!

Not me either - taking No. 3 son to The Emirates (stadium) instead.

I'm definitely coming! It should be a really good day, I think.

I still can't work out from the map exactly where it is - from the position of the arrow it looks as if it's around John Lewis somewhere.....

I did a 'dry run' finding the venue in the week, it is near John Lewis (but the opposite side of the road). It is fairly obvious from the outside (there's a flag hanging from the outside)...

Just got back from the Playday - it was a really excellent day, with great music, good conductors, trade stands and freebies! I bought quite a few bits of music I hadn't encountered before, and am pleased with my freebies (two ABRSM pencils, two ABRSM biros, Post-It notes, a WoodWind and Reed mug and a luggage label ).

There were about 75 people there, with clarinets extremely well represented!

Yeah, the clarinets were very well represented...

A very enjoyable day - we were all worked very hard! Jo - I did pick up my free mug...