Wasn't at the one at Leeds last year, so don't know - I suspect that was a playday of a similar ilk.

Perhaps 'push' is the wrong word - there isn't really any local publicity out there yet, and these playdays are aimed primarily at the local populace (Eccles had 24/30 people of local origin), though of course non-locals are equally as welcome.

Yes, I think that pretty well all events have had some sort of 'publicity' attached, otherwise how do you get the message around that it's going on?
For the playdays and Adult Learners concerts which are open to non forum users this can include quite a lot of local publicity either through contact with teachers, bands/orchestras or the local press.
And experience shows that you do need a lot of coverage to get any interest started at all. This is quite possibly true proportionally of much advertising at any level but don't quote me on that as I'm no expert and only taking a guess based on my experience.

Putting my form in this week. (if i forget you can hassle me B-C as i'm now definitely coming) I also have a friend (maybe 2 or 3) coming along.

Our local primary is pretty hot on music with some kids (many actually) being at grade 5/6 and some at 7 by y6 (11 yr olds).

Got a poster from Phantasmagoriana. Wondering whether to pass some on to the schools peri teachers and ask them to distribute where relevant.

What do you think?

I think that sounds a really great idea, DawnF

..and so do I DawnF : glad to hear you're coming along and bringing cavalry!

Well I do try...

Actually looking forward to meeting you all!!!!

Thanks Dawn - look forward to meeting you!

I understand there'll be a social after. Any idea where?

Haven't 100% decided yet - it'll be a restaurant somewhere in York City Centre.

One of phantasmagoriana or I will email/PM participants with details.

Re. advertising. You could try putting the event on the new website for arts groups; www.celebratenorthyorkshire.org

That looks a good idea - thanks oldnotes!

Yes, thanks for that - I'll add this to my list of events websites to post on!

Although there are quite a lot of differences between my Players for Pleasure events and other events, irrespective of the different approaches used, I'm sure this playday will be most enjoyable if the playdays I attended at Market Harborough are anything to go by. They are really good experience for ensemble playing and sightreading. I know Barry has loads of ensemble music so there's bound to be a part for most levels - if you'd like to go but are not sure whether you're the right level, I'm sure Barry will clarify if you contact him.

I'm sorry I won't be meeting you DawnF, or seeing you again Phantasmagoriana, but I hope you have a great day

Poster says grade 2 and up. So you don't have to be all that good and ensemble playing is a fantastic thing to do at this level. You may only play a few notes at first, get lost etc but it's great for improving timing and general musicianship.


Thankyou skylark. I'm sure we will!!!

I think I may practise my sight reading a bit more before this playday. I felt like I'd left my brain at home at Eccles

And I need to practise syncopation. Argh

A couple of the pieces we played I just sat and let hillyb and rachi play while i put in the occasional note.

Are there many clarinettists coming so far??

There'll be something for you if you play an orchestral instrument at grade 2-ish level or higher.



You were great at Eccles



I'll let you know numbers of everything when I've done the next collection from the PO Box.

I've just filled my form in so in the post tomorrow.

I've also printed some posters to give to the school's peri teachers.

Thought I'd speak to the head tomorrow and see if i pass them to the music teacher with a bit of an explanation if necessary.

I'm looking forward to this.

Edit: The event that is not seeing the teacher. Ha ha ha

Ha! Will forgive you!!

and rachi can get her own back any time she likes......

My form is on it's way. And the posters made their way into school today too. Will metion it at band tonight too. (If I remember)

Fab, thanks ever so much Dawn

No Problems. Want to make this a success so you run it again next year!!

No seriously, When I'm involved with things I like to help out where I can and this is really not a lot but could make a big difference to turn-out as the info can reach a wider range of people.

So long as I don't do myself out of a decent part

Thanks Dawn!



I'll find you some music you can get your teeth into!

Thanks!!! Didn't mean impossibly difficult though

Mentioned the event at band - some interest shown - No absolute definites though.

Also, the head teacher at the local school is going to try to put it in the weekly newlsetter to parents. Posters sent in to give to the school's peri's.

can I clarify how it works with regards to having a wide range of standards playing together. My friend's 10 yr old daughter has just passed grade 2 clarinet this summer. Her mum has shown interest on her behalf but is concerned it might be too daunting for her if given something too out of her league to play.

PM me if you prefer but wondered if anyone else might want the same clarification so hence posting here.

Thanks BC.

Hello,

I'm new here and haven't been to one of these events. Please could someone give me an idea of the kind of mix of people you normally get? Is it mainly for children or do you get a lot of adults as well? I wouldn't want to come and look completely daft for being much older than everyone else and not as good.

Will you be limiting parts to their normal orchestral size? - I play flute and picc which are obviously really popular and are pretty much impossible to get into orchestras/bands on.

York is just a few stops down the East Coast mainline from where I live, so would be very convenient.

Usually mostly adults of all abilities.
No restriction on parts rather parts are fitted to whoever comes to give the best balance.
The only limit on numbers is the size of the venue really.
If we are lucky we do get a good balance of instruments but if it's not qutie so it doesn't matter as it's about having fun getting together to play.

I have in my impossibly large ensemble collection a number of flexible ensemble pieces, which cater for various standards of musician. If I find there's someone coming who requires a part that's easier or harder, depending on what I want to play, I'll write a new part. You can rest assured that if I know there's a grade 2 clarinettist coming, there'll be grade 2 clarinet music available.



Hiya Flossie!

It'll be an ensemble of orchestral instruments, and as sbhoa says, the only limit is the size of the hall (50-ish, in this case). Eccles was overwhelmingly adults, but there were still a few children there. All abilities there, from grade 2 to people like rachi and hillyb who are both post grade 8 standard. There will be a space for a flautist such as your good self, and I'd love to see you there.



...and I'd add to that the fact that I'll see what we've got musician wise, and we'll play stuff that suits the combination of instruments that we have.

thanks for clarificaton BC.

I'll pass it on.

Thanks Sbhoa and barry-clari.

I'll talk to my teacher tomorrow and see what she thinks, and whether she's likely to be able to move my lesson for that week. Think the sight-reading practise would do me good!

Cool! Hope you're able to make it. Event starts at 12:00noon, if you are a little late, it doesn't matter.

So.... How many of us are there going to be so far? And have we got a good mix?

I'm rather looking forwards to this now.
Getting rather excited


Going to have a busy Feb. just found out our band is having it's annual dinner on the 7th too plus it's my daughter's birthday!!!

Still in single figures at the moment, but so was the Eccles applications at this time. Most forms came in in the four weeks before the event.

Balance at the moment heavily in favour of treble clef instruments, we could really do with more bass clef instruments...

We always need more bass clef instruments. I wonder if people just can't be bothered to carry them around 'cos they're too heavy.

I wonder if there's any groups local to here that might be interested

Any ideas what we'll be playing?

ALSO I forwarded the link for the playday to a girl that used to work in our lab for a bit. I think she plays cornet and may be in the uni music society. Don't know if she'll be interested, but I tried

Cobwebs orchestra (a N.E-based community orchestra) has a group in York, but not sure what their standard is like. I think it's a fairly new group.

Got the form from my bass clarinettist friend yet? the bass in question is a little sick at present.

She's hoping to get it fixed but it is a band instrument so has to go through the process of quotes etc.


Also has been advertised in our school's weekly newletter this week.


P.S. I'll keep giving this a little push locally.

Ideally how many would you hope for at an event like this Barry?

Haven't yet decided. I'm keeping the Eccles pads together, and adding to them. Will do a mix of classical and other not-so-classical pieces. Really tempted to do 'The Great Escape', just for a laugh.



Fab, thanks Babybird2



I think phantasmagoriana has got this group covered. Thanks for the advice Flossie!



Haven't yet, but am collecting from the PO Box again on Friday, so will let you know then.



Thanks Dawn! We had 32 applicants for Eccles, 2 sadly had to pull out through illness, so we had a very pleasing 30, which I was really happy with. For York, if we get around 14/15 people plus, that'd be a good start for a new venture.

The girl I got in touch with said it looked interesting and that she will spread the word

Saying that I'm not too sure if she's still in Leeds/in touch with lots of people 'cos she quit her PhD in October, but we'll see

Thanks ever so much Babybird2

S'alright

Form in post

Thanks Flossie!

I'll send out confirmation emails in the next few days, with a few extra details upon them.

I go to it, and have told the other members about the playday. Looking forward to meeting you there!

Does that mean I should know you? I play in the County Durham (ex-Harelaw) group.

Not sure - I've not been to many events outside of the Durham group (only one I can think of - Durham Cathedral last summer )...

Hmm. I don't tend to go to the combined events because I haven't plucked up the nerve to play in concerts yet. Did the summer music day at the Sage, but will probably not do the next one because they seem to have got rid of the student/unwaged price and I don't think I can afford the members one. I play and have ginger hair.

Thanks for your form Flossie : collected it today

Grand. Am trying to brush up on the old sight-reading beforehand!