It is!!! I'm very happy about the venue.

The web pages are more or less ready, and I will be sending them to katyjay imminently.

The next post from me on this thread will be opening applications for this event

This could be a really fab event as there seems to be a good amount of interest.

Get those applications in early

Applications are open now, and I will start a separate thread specifically for the November 15th playday, while keeping this thread open for other events in the Manchester area...

Click here!

Form printed out

- I'll keep looking in the PO Box for entries!

I've started a separate thread on 15th November, I'll put all the info on that event there, while posting general info on future events in Manchester here.

For your information

1st Eccles playday: 15th November 2008

2nd Eccles playday: late spring/early summer 2009

Stalybridge Adult Learner's concert : 18th July 2009 (TBC)

3rd Eccles playday: the Saturday before the RNCM sax day 2009

Bandstand gig in Salford: sometime in the summer (maybe September-y sort of time).

Update :

There will be an announcement as to the date of the next Eccles playday very soon

I'm going to be doing a little newsletter for these events. Those of you who came to the event on 15/11/08 will receive one, as well as some others of you who showed interest in the initial playday, but couldn't make it.

Perhaps it might be worth asking if anyone else wants to be included Barry?

I'll put a little post up asking just that when the next Eccles date is confirmed, and the brand new shiny thread is created.

It might be good to have a few copies put in prominent places in the local area. We will discuss

Hi there,
Sorry I've not been in touch for a while. This Eccles playday - and the one in Leeds - sound really great to be involved in. I had my Grade 8 piano yesterday and just felt like I had enough on my plate to be going on with. I get such nerves playing in front of people though and this sounds like really good, if utterly scary, experience. If anyone needs an accompanist and the music is not too difficult and I have it in plenty of time (lots of conditions, I know!) I would love to give it a go. Also I noticed some singers interested in duetting. I haven't taken any singing exams but do have lessons and would love to give that a go as well. I'll look out for the next event and not be so chicken next time!
Hope it all went/goes well!

The Eccles Playday was really good and there are more events planned. I'm sure you would be welcome at Leeds if you want to stick a form in the post.

Good luck with your exam result!

Hiya Cheshire Kate!

The North West is going to be very well off for things in 2009!

The Eccles playdays/concerts are designed primarily for orchestral instruments, so if you play anything in the string/woodwind/brass/percussion families, at grade 2 or higher, you'll be most welcome. Next one is due to be in late winter/early spring, date to be announced shortly.

There's also the Stalybridge Adult Learners' concert, provisionally booked for Saturday 18th July, where I'm sure sbhoa will appreciate another accompanist on board, and of course you'd be most welcome to perform a piece, either solo or in conjunction with others. Sbhoa is your main contact for this event.

There's also a forum concert happening in Chester on Saturday 19th September, which pianocrazy is organising, and I'll be handling a lot of the musical side. Again, as with Stalybridge, you'll be most welcome to do a solo/ensemble piece, and if you can make it, it'd be wonderful to be able to use your services as an accompanist.

Hope to see you at an event in 2009, and all the best for your grade 8 result.

Many thanks Barry-Clari for all that info and I will aim to manage something on 18th July! Thanks also for your good luck wishes for my result. Fingers crossed that I did enough to pass - sight-reading abysmal though and made fluffs in every piece. Keep telling myself I can always re-take next term with the same pieces!

Good luck for your result.
I should be able to confirm the Stalybridge date early in the new year.
Applications likely to open around April.

...which didn't stop me sending my form in during March for this year's event

Date now announced : Saturday 9th May 2009. Thanks to notmusimum for booking the hall again.

*records date in diary*

- you sound like me - prepared for things way in advance!

I'm hoping to open applications for the 2nd Eccles playday at the end of February (after York).

Cool

A quick heads-up for this : I'm going to do a new thread for the 9th May very soon after York, and I'll re-do the website pages very soon after doing the new thread.