There is an open "Liverpool Phil plus anyone grade 5+ who wants to join in" rehearsal of Finlandia, Adagio from Spartacus, and 5 Klee pictures at Philharmonic Hall, Hope street Liverpool on Wednesday 13.10.04 7pm-9pm. It's free but you have to book on 0151 210380 - music will be sent to you in advance. There are no limitations on numbers.

typical- i was seriously thinking of goin and im working. drat

Never mind, Nat - I think they do it every year!

oo thats gud! ill go next year instead!

Isn't that just typical Nat!! Must you really work or can you cancel...

i have to work im afraid!

Well I got my music (2nd violin part) in the post over the weekend. Amazon haven't sent me the "available in 24 hours" CDs I ordered, so I got them from Borders instead and had a listen. This is definitely definitely do-able. I'm not much above the minimum cut off level, and I have in the past had the experience of sitting in a scratch rehearsal not being able to contribute much to the proceedings, but in this instance I have a good feeling this is going to be a real laugh. The music really doesn't look scary at all. Each of Finlandia and Spartacus Adagio are 3 pages of music written out in a childlike hand and photocopied, and sufficiently playable that I started wondering if I should have asked for a first violin part so I could get some more of the melodies. The 5 Klee pictures are very short and pretty simple looking. I encourage anybody whose interested to come along - it does sound like a fantastic opportunity of almost "Jim'll Fix it" proportions.

Incidentally for those one or two "stragglers" who don't live near Liverpool, and haven't quite set up their private jet link thereto, do not despair - the bumph I was sent says the Liverpool Super Orchestra is but one small part of a nationwide scheme called "Listen up! Festival of Orchestras 2004" (www.abo.org.uk).
Haven't visited it yet but it no doubt has plenty to offer the sturdy player of many a good English shire and dale.