The web site is now updated and applications now open for the 5th Stalybridge Adult Learners Concert.
Details can be found here.
This event is mostly solo performances but there are four small ensemble slots pencilled in. A duet/trio etc. where at least one performer is not playing a solo will be additional to that.

'Local' teachers please note that this is an open event which your adult students would be very welcome to attend.

The Closing date is 20th June but as last year booked up quickly it might be best to decide sooner rather than later. There will be a waiting list once the event is fully booked as it's not unusual for someone to have to drop out.

This is one of my most favourite events of the year

Needless to say, I'll be there, and you'll have a form soon sbhoa. I can highly recommend this event to everyone else too!

Ooooh I might do this this year....

You won't regret it if you come along

Cheap train tickets to/from Manchester now online.

. . . and you WILL regret it if you don't: I know because having been there for the last 2 years, this year I will driving through Southern England, the Channel Tunnel and Northern France that day. My sincere regrets but please accept my apologies!

Sign me up for next year?

Sorry you can't make it this year.
Planning ahead it's likely to be the 3rd Saturday in July again next year (depending ion church availability).

Enjoy your holiday.

BB2, it would be lovely to see you and to hear you play.

it's getting fuller...

it may not be long 'til it's totally full...

In that case I need to do some deciding and fill a form in.....

Looking forward to meeting you, katyjay

I shall definitely try and make this next year, as I'll be away this time. Plus I think I'll be a bit more confident after a further year of practicing/lessons (and actually possibly have a piece to play that lasts long enough!- most people have problems finding pieces short enough! ).

It'll be great to meet you too, Babybird2. And everyone else who's coming

This is really tempting - looks as though I might be on a Forum Events Crawl this year!

And it'll mean that WHEN I get my act together (sorry Barry - it's been really crazy ), I'll have some pointers to get an event together in Cardiff!

Give me a shout when you're ready to go with Cardiff - and I'll help you out all I can.

Hope you're able to make Stalybridge. I like Stalybridge.

Hope you can make it next year then.

And there's no problem over playing something short.
You can play a couple of shorter pieces if that's the level you are at or even one short piece if you feel like quite a new beginner. There is NO minimum in ability or length of performance.

I'll put the the 3rd Sat of July (or just July Saturdays) in my diary for next year and keep it free

Hopefully the 3rd Saturday but as we use a church building it does depend on nobody wanting to get married there on that date. If it has to move I go for the week after as first preference.

How dare people want to get married when we want a concert on that day

Great news - I shall be there!!

Think I know what I'll be playing too.

And hopfully there will be time to visit...

I think that's part of the tradition.

My check is in the post!!

BTW - I discovered last year that the Buffet Bar has a back room with a piano, we could hold the entire concert there!

Now THERE's a thought.

My cheque is in the post! Happy to take part in any duets, trios, accompanying, etc., if anyone is interested.

I think I may be frequenting this one too. It's only a couple of hours away. Form duely printed off now I just need to decide what to play..........

I'd be happy to play in any clari / flute or sax duets etc as I think I will attempt to play a piano piece for my main "turn" (well it'll probably be a couple of pieces cos I can't play anything longer than about a minute!)

It will be my first forum event

Lois

Cool - see you there!

I'll bring my flute and my clari along : last year, rachi put together an impromptu clari playing session, I think there's a good chance something similar will happen this year too.

It might be a good plan to send in the form and decide later (not later than the 20th June) as it's filling up really quickly now.
It would be good to see you and to hear you play.
The event is open to both forum and non forum members.

I'm thinking of coming too. I will send my form tomorrow. It will be my first public flute performance

There's a first time for everything they say....
Will be good to meet you.

Getting quite a few flute players along now : I'll be happy to throw together a quick fluting session for those who are interested

Will be great to see you there Appassionata!

That would be great! I look forward to meeting everyone

Can I let you know what I'm playing nearer the time too? After my "lesson" with Barry next week I may have changed my mind!

My form went in with a load of blank spaces on it Appassionata (including a space where the title of the piece should be), so just sending in the payment and a form with name/address/instrument etc. on it and little else will be fine for now.

It's fine for people to send in the form and decide later what they are playing.
As I like to open applications early enough for travellers to be able to take advantage of advance train tickets it can mean sending off the form 2-3 months before the concert which can be a bit soon for some to maake a final decision on repertoire.

A month before the concert is fine with maybe an extra week IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for those who don't need matching up with an accompanist.
I seem to recall one concert where Katyjay had almost everybody change their mind between sending in the form and the final deadline.

Sorry, just realised I didn't really reply to this part of your post.
Duets in the concert need to be pre arranged and notified to me in the same way as solo slots(either on your form or soon after sending if it's sorted out later.
There are are currently a maximum of 3 slots left for duets or other small ensembles though where one of the performers is not playing a solo this can count as that person's solo slot.
I mostly want to maximise the number of solo slots available.

There will, as Barry has mentioned, be some informal ensemble playing during the morning and people are welcome to bring things they might want to use for this if there is time. If anybody wants an idea of what instruments will be there then please Pm me and I'll let you know the latest on that.

Ok form now in the post. Piece choice was relatively simple in the end as I don't have a huge piano repetoire at the mo

See you all there.

Lois

I'll bring some flutey stuff, and one or two bits of clarinetty stuff for people to use.

We will be as creative as possible in the use of the building to allow informal jamming.
Winds and piano rather dominate this year.
As well as the main piano in the church there is a digital available.

I'm now on the point of having to start a waiting list so anybody who has not yet told me that their form is in the post might want to check before sending anything off.
Last year I did manage to accommodate everybody on the waiting list but this is something i can't really predict.

Awwwww. I wish I could go. But that has to wait till next year I am afraid. Had already a hard time finding ANY piece for my last and first ever concert. Had to take what I was practicing with my teacher. My repertoire simply sucks. That's what I am working on right now. Looking forward to next years events.

HAVE FUN ALL!!!!

You wouldn't be the only one to be playing what you'd recently been learning with your teacher.

That's a wonderfully quick take up of places Well done sbhoa, you deserve it

Just noticed a little concern about dress for this.
I see smart casual as being comfortable rather than formal wear.
It's a suggestion rather than a rule.
It is NOT a very formal concert so please don't stress over what to wear. I know that people will feel they have enough to think about with playing at all and don't want to make dress an issue.
If you want to dress up for the concert feel free to do so but please don't feel that you must.

I'll probably wear some sort of T-shirt or similar, trousers, and clean shoes. Nothing really formal.

That's great for me. I was stressing a little bit I must say as I'm not reknown for my huge sense of style, poise and fashion sense!!

They always say at work I could turn up in a Chanel suit and still manage to look like I'd been dragged through a hedge and all that and I'm supposed to look smart! It always gets mentioned at my annual appraisal...........

I promise to do my best

Lois

About 3 weeks to the closing date and only a couple of slots still available if anybody put this on their 'to do later' list.

Yes please, and the recordery stuff you mentioned on the other thread.

Are there any strings people coming? If so then I'll bring my violin, but I would need easy music as I've not been playing long.

Will do Flossie : I'll have a good root through my ensemble music, and I'll find some fun stuff!



I can think of at least a couple of stringy people coming Flossie.

I can bring my viola too if need be, but I would also only be able to play very simple things

That would be nice. Do you have any music that does both violin and viola?