Hello everyone

All the info about the Leeds Concert is now available at THIS LINK, and at the bottom of the web page is a downloadable PDF of the application form. If anyone has any queries about any of the information, please feel free to email preferably, or PM me.

The closing date for applications is St George's Day, Wednesday 23 April.

If you don't yet know what you're going to play, it's fine if you want to send the form off to apply to perform, and let me know later what you'll be playing



If there are any new members or new performers out there, you might like to know that you'll be in good company if you decide to come - there are several newbies who are planning to come and play, and the more the merrier! A couple of experienced event attendees will be acting as "buddies" to any newbies who attend, so as well as myself, you'll always have someone to go to if you've got any questions on the day.


It was a lovely day last year, and everything is in hand to make this year's event just as memorable. The day will be as all-inclusive as possible, with a fun song for us to sing and a kazoo orchestra that everyone can join in Not to mention a recorder ensemble for all levels of recorder player, a swing band for clarinet/sax players, and of course the Grand Finale. And with solo slots and small ensembles for all woodwinds and strings, it looks like it's going to be a really great day again


Many thanks are due to Petrat and Barry-clari for organising the large ensembles, I know they've both got a lot of other things on, so I'm really grateful to them for the input they're giving to the Leeds concert

And many thanks also to St George who did the web page and application form for me - he might not have a high profile on the forum, but behind the scenes he's a superstar!


Look forward to seeing everyone on 31st May!

Very posh website again!

Printing out application form now. Something for me to do in my lunch break

See you all on 31/5!

Well done to both of you again! Have printed my form too! See you there

Just noticed the date - we need an excuse to 'escape' from an impending visit from unwelcome relatives!

and you can't let your duet/ensemble partners down

Naturally!

As with last year, if anyone wants to do a duet/trio, I'm happy to oblige - just let me know which instrument you want me to play (clarinet, flute, alto sax, S, A, T recorders).

If I can make Leeds, I'm hoping to persuade one or two local folk to come along too! You've just reminded me to go hunt out my clarinet - haven't touched it since X'mas!

If anyone wants a dodgy viola player (or even dodgier violinist) for duo/trio...
Would be happy to play...

W

hope you can make it - bringing a clari sounds good!

What about doing a Welsh ensemble if there's a few of you? I've some duet/trio/ensemble music you could have a look at if you want

Re the optional trip to the secondhand music place at Eccleston on the Friday, it's a unit situated in a large antiques centres and I've just remembered that there's an entrance charge, which when I went a few weeks ago was £2.50.

Help! My computer can't open the application form - is there any chance you can put it into another format, such as a word document?

You need to download this program and you'll be able to open it - its free software, the reader is the one you need.

I've emailed it to you to see if that makes a difference - let me know if you still can't open it


PS Rosemary's replied as I was writing this!

Braving myself to fill in the appliation form...

Hello Panthera!

Nerve-racking isn't it! Don't worry, we've all been there - my first concert was Jan 07, which was Petrat's in Chester and I was really nervous as well but I had a lovely time and I haven't looked back since.

It will be really nice to meet you, and welcome to the forums by the way

I'll PM you!

I don't know what to play for my Leeds solo.

Sax? or Flute?

Flute? or Sax?

I have no idea...

Clarinet?

Singing?

Clarinetting at Belfast. Singing at Stalybridge. Probably recorder at Farnborough.

This leaves me with flute and sax... Want to do one of those, not sure which...

Sax, obviously!

Not that you're at all biased TSax...

Thank you, Rosemary, I'll try tonight when I'm home from work.

If you still have trouble, let me know and I'll post a form to you

My form is in the post right now!

Mine too!

Now I have to decide what to play!

I gather a few forms have come into the college already and I'm planning to go in tomorrow to pick them up

Cool. Mine went northwards a few days ago, and I'll email you all the missing details before 23/4

I'd better not send mine northwards!

Not if you want to play at Leeds!

It worked! I've printed it off. Now I don't know how to fill it in (well I do, but not sure what to put in some cases... I know what I'm doing - help! - but not my son)

Barry, do you have some music to do a sax ensemble with NMM's daughters 1 and 2 and my son? - he can bring soprano, alto and tenor saxes.

Yes. It's time there was a sax quartet in a forum concert. I'll have a look for a straightforward to put together piece, and will let you know what I've picked.

Skylark : can you add this to the running order please?

You don't need to put down the title/composer just yet if you haven't decided. It would be helpful to know what everybody's playing by the closing date, but it won't be a major problem if I know soon afterwards when I start putting the programme together The main thing is to get the form off because if anyone wants me to put them in touch with a partner(s) for an ensemble, it's the people who have confirmed they're definitely coming by sending the form off who will get the opportunity for more play.

If there are other sections that you don't know what to fill in, feel free to email if you think I can help

I called at the college tonight and picked up the envelopes so far and I'll send everybody an acknowledgement tonight. I'll then be offline until early next week, so any other applications which come in over the next few days will be acknowledged later next week.

Because I'm offline for the next few days, if anybody's got any questions you might like to ask me tonight



If ChrisH and notmusimum put it on their application forms for a small ensemble, I'll do my best to fit everyone in for what they apply for!



PS. I owe PMs to a few people - I'll try and clear some space in my PM box and reply tonight

Thanks skylark. I may well pick out a few bits 'n' pieces of music while you're away (sax quartets, a solo and suchlike), and email you details, to read on your return.

The swing ensemble will be performing an arrangement of Gershwin's 'Fascinating Rhythm' (arranger will be one barry-clari...). Parts should be ready in early May, if you want a part in advance can you either email me or, if you've never emailed me before, send me a PM with an email address on, and I'll send you a part.

A reminder that the finale will be an arrangement of the final movement of Dvorak's New World Symphony. There will be parts suitable for all.

Skylark I'll sort our forms out this weekend.

I'll sort my form out this weekend too.
Think I'm doing a duet with skylark, and one with notmusimum's daughter (I've just got some duet books so will have a look at what I fancy....)

I'm not doing a solo

Oooo, Gershwin, thank you



Look forward to seeing you both/all, whoever's coming!


Yes we're doing the Birdie song, aren't we

Maybe not We can liaise next week


So many people have said that, and guess what ....

Thanks, Barry, I'll put the sax ensemble down on the form.

My son won't be doing a solo, but I will. I just hope you are all very kind!

I have a problem sending the forms, as I need to get a replacement cheque book from the bank - I hope it arrives soon!

Have just downloaded the form and am trying to decide whether I should do a solo...strongly veering towards "no" at the moment!

I think I will bring my flute and clarinet this year, no strings (might bring a recorder too, but I seriously need to work on my fingerings - I tried playing my treble a couple of weeks ago and realised I was using flute fingerings... ).

You've started playing the flute I notice. Instrument collecting is addictive, isn't it?

Do you think you'll be fluting or clarinetting in the finale?

No strings?

W

Apart from the tenor sax part (which I should finish in the week), the clarinet/sax swing ensemble parts are now ready.

Let me know please if you would like your part in advance!

Have decided to do a saxophone solo, but not sure what yet (got a small shortlist).

Still happy to duet with anyone who wants to duet (on clarinet, flute or alto sax). Just let me know.

Just thought I'd remind everybody that the closing date for receipt of application forms is a week today, 23rd April, St George's Day

If you don't put it on the form, then you don't have a choice, whereas if you put it on the form, you can always drop out if you don't think you're ready by the date of the concert

If anyone is in two minds about whether to do a solo, I would say it's best to prepare one and apply for one, because even though it seems a bit very scary in the run-up to the concert, on the day when you get caught up in the atmosphere, it would be shame not to have the opportunity to do it when you see everyone else doing one and you wish you were up there doing one too And if you decide at the last minute that you really can't do it, it's not a problem, there's always another time

Hi,

I shouldn't be posting this..... but I am very tempted!

Are there any solo slots left in which I might practise my performing to you poor unsuspecting audience?

If there are, I could be very tempted.

I shouldn't be writing this. Hubby and I can't afford for me to go swanning off on some jolly jaunt. I should be at home slaving away in a hot therapy room, or at least sitting by the fireside mending my working clothes.

However, I'm tempted. Very. It would be so very nice to see people again, and meet all the Forumites I haven't yet met.

And I would really like an accompanist too, I haven't mastered the art of playing the piano whilst singing, in fact I haven't mastered the art of playing the piano (...... or singing either!)

I can't believe I'm writing this. Leeds is flippin' miles away from where I live.
However, I am still tempted!



Ambs
x

It'd be great to see you again Amber, if you can make it!

-------------

DaisyChain has asked for the piano part in the finale, which I'm happy to allocate to her. This means the piano option for the finale has now gone.

Hi Amber!

It would be great to meet you! Not that I want to tempt you or anything, but I'm sure you'd enjoy the break Do PM me if you want any further info or have any queries



We really should sing from the same hymn sheet Barry! This is what it says on the concert web site:

"In the event of more than one pianist applying for the piano part in the Grand Finale, the part will be offered to the pianist who has the fewest other playing opportunities at the concert, and within that, on a first-come, first-served basis."

So I'll be allocating the slot once all the applications are in and in accordance with the principles outlined on the concert web site. Hope this doesn't cause any problems!

Sorry skylark. If necessary, we'll give DC a very difficult easy clarinet part.

Thanks for clarifying skylark.

Amber, I am happy to accompany you if you want (and if that's allowed as I've already applied for a solo slot...)

skylark, as you know this is my first time at a forum concert, so could you clarify how many "performances" per person? It seems to me reading the threads that people generally get to play more than once (solo plus ensembles etc) Thanks!