I'm hoping that this thread will be taken in the spirit intended. I do not mean for it to offend any past, present or future organisers of forum events.

In speaking to a few members I have discovered that there seems to be a very set idea about what a 'forum concert' should entail. I understand that, of course, these ideas have come from what has been deemed a success in the past.

However, I am new to this side of things. As much as I appreciate the work of experienced organisers, their contributions and ideas, I can't help but think that I'd like to make the Scotland event a bit different.

So my questions, not just for people who might come to the Scotland event, but for everyone - If you were going to organise an event, what would you be sure to include? If you were considering going to an event, what would make you think 'yes, I definitely want to go'?

I'd appreciate any opinions anyone may have on this.

Can I pinch any ideas that come up please, Flossy

In some way each forum event has it's own identity possibly roughly based on a similar model.
I think that having mostly solo/small pre arranged ensemble slots for most of the concert is pretty popular.
A finale in which all or most participants can join has been a feature and you need someone with the expertise to choose (and supply) suitable music and to conduct it for this to work.
One or two other ensembles can work well if you have someone to organise them but beware of trying to include too much as these items need rehearsal time during the morning so fitting too many in alongside soloists having run throughs with accompanists can make for rather a stressed morning.
Finale and/or other ensembles could play items on a Scottish theme.
Maybe you know someone who could lead a mixed ensemble in a traditional Scottish item?
It can help to decide in advance how many performing slots and what sort you can accommodate........ it's great to include as many as possible but there is a limit to how long the concert can go on without people getting restless and/or you getting thrown out for staying past your booking time...

I...didn't know that a Scottish one was even on the cards.

So, since I know nothing about it, I'm going to lurk in the background and see what other people say...

I think your point about trying to do something different is a good one, Miss Ross - there are facets to previous ones which have made me uneasy about attempting to get to forums concerts, and clearly a Scottish one would reduce the travelling problem for me.

This will sound terribly negative - I don't mean it to, but I would be put off by things like obligatory singing, massed recorders and an unrehearsed grand finale item comprising whatever turns up on the day - yes, music-making is about the pleasure of communal activity as well as what so many of us end up having to do to learn our instruments - ie, plodding along on our own ironing out the squeaks and intonation problems - but concerts are usually about presenting something we have polished to the best of our ability, and it can be an uncomfortable thing to have to listen to too many items which are under-rehearsed. This sounds as if I'm demanding professional standards of playing: I'm not - there is a difference between the slips musicians make because they're nervous, and those made because they're quite simply not on top of the music.

The advantage of having such regional get-togethers is that musicians who live in reach of each other but might not think to meet up can have some stimulus to do so, and practise something together - I know that I welcome the oppportunities to do this for concerts and workshops I've been lucky enough to be asked to play in. It's about more than just the music on the day, it's about the whole process of making music. I think it would be wise to let the less experienced and more nervous contributors go first, the more accomplished and laid-back last, to save people from comparing themselves to others too much.

Finally, a positive suggestion in all this - perhaps a common theme for the concert? Say, animals, or travel, dances or plants? As long as not everyone wants to play the Flight of the Bumblebee, of course .

A bit different is good. I think something that has not only a distinct Scottish flavour, but also a distinct Miss Ross/mwl1 flavour is good. I don't know if you can find some traditional Scottish instruments/pieces/both, but I think that'd go down well.



Inverness, Saturday 15th August '09.



Definitely well worth thinking about anacrusis.