At the mo this is still planned for Sat 6th Nov however..........

I am able to hire some brilliant rooms at the Birmingham Conservatoire at a very reasonable cost but this would have to be on a Sunday as they are all in use by the Juniors on a Saturday.

Would people still be interested if the event were to move to Sun 7th or are Sundays not good for people??

Any thoughts please

Lois

Obviously only talking about me but Sundays are far far better than Saturdays because of work. And Midlands is relatively close to get to from here so it would be a from me

Sunday's generally not good for me as a church musician. There are usually fewer trains making a day trip difficult too. There are quite a few people in the more immediate area though and some people prefer to drive too so with a good venue like that it could well be a popular choice.

Sunday would be fine for me. Thanks for arranging this.

Up for it either day

thanks Lois

Ostensibly, I have a concert ticket for November 7th, but I'll sell it on/get rid of it in some form, and I'll come to your concert Lois.

Either is fine Lois.

Just a possible word of warning - we had a Kodály Day at Brum Conservatoire on a Sunday at the end of Feb, which was fab in every way - except that the first train from London didn't get in until 10.30am! So we had to start a bit later than we would have liked and some people didn't make it in until about 11.15am.

Thanks for that C.

Earliest Sunday train arrives at 10:47, which suggests an arrival at the Conservatoire for people on that train of about 11am. I think I'll travel up on the Saturday evening...

Goodness, that's an even later train!

We did have quite a lot of people who came up the night before and stayed over (I can recommend the Briar Rose - not expensive and very near the Conservatoire - and VERY big breakfasts!!!).

Sounds fab to me. I'd love to be able to drop "when I was at the conservatoire... " into the conversation (although people will probably assume I was sweeping up).

I think we'll change the day to the 7th with a later start. The venue opportunity is too good to miss. I for one will relish the chance to be a proper musician for the day

I don't think for this type of event it will matter too much starting a bit later as people tend to wander in over the course of the day. Are there the same restrictions with trains on the way home. We could always finish a bit later say 5:30 to give a bit more socialising / practise time.

I even contemplated hiring the big concert hall but that's probably a bit much

Barry - could you change the date on the calendar please

Lois

I have put the 7th into my diary - I hope to be there!

The trains home will be OK : it's just generally a later start on a Sunday. I could arguably stay 'til about 8ish if people want a drink or two afterwards.

I'll go and change the date, and venue, now Lois

Brilliant - I'll book the rooms tomorrow. Plan to book the smaller concert hall plus one of the practice rooms with piano for general practice / jazz session / messing about

Hopefully should be a great day

Lois

Concert hall, in a conservatoire! That sounds wonderful! Thank you for doing all this, lois

If you want any other groups organised aside from the jazz workshop, let me know.

YOu had better be.

[Gerald is now wondering what is going to happen? Or perhaps more to the point, what will happen if he can't make it ]

That is for me to know, and you to find out...........if you dare.

Do you know what make of piano is in the concert hall, Lois?

More importantly is it true what I've read on their website that there is a licensed bar there!?

Is there?

*goes to look*

It depends on the room for the piano.

They are Steinways or Yamaha baby grands.

Yes - there is a licensed bar (or would the YAY smiley be more appropriate!)
Am I going to have to ban alcohol until AFTER the concert

I am going to have a look round and finalise details on Monday so will report back then

Lois

All sounds wonderful : both the pianos and the bar...

Wonder if I can get the Monday off on the 8th Nov...

I'm sensing a day off swap on the Monday

Well, I have to teach at school on 11 of the 14 Mondays in that term, which gives me 3 Mondays to play with...

Lois, that would be a very good idea. I have met some/many forumites, and they are not to be trusted around alcohol.

You haven't met me yet!........ but you've met enough Cornish people I believe..... ok you've got a point

So, aside from Juniper, who else is up for something 'Glee'-ish at Birmingham?

Yesssssssss.................

GO on then.

Cool

Vocals?

If The Old Lady is going to sing I need to be there - can't miss that

join in

Barry, you can't have forgotten what it was like in Chester, can you?

I remember Chester.

join in

You are very kind - OK.

Wonderful!

Is it just for forumites? Friend's 22 year old daughter doesn't live too far away and would like to come (who is btw a Gleek!!) Hehe

Yes, bring her along! I'm sure lois would say 'the more the merrier'

Definately bring her along. Everyone welcome. My mom and a couple of pupils are coming.

Lois

Do you fancy a bit of Gleeing, too, Lois?

Of course

Just got the cello and guitar out of moth balls, as work and life has been too crazy to allow much playing over the last 18months. Perhaps this would give me something to aim for... :-)

Definately. Hope you can make it

Finalised the details today. We are having the New Lecture Theatre with Steinway Grand as the main hall. Very nice space with the seating pulled out and they can arrange lighting so it feels like a proper concert if we want that - or maybe that would be a bit intimidating?

I have also organised 1 large practice room (with 2 baby grands) which we can use for practise time prior to the concert and a smaller practice room if people want to go off and practice duets etc.

And...................Drum Roll please..................

We can have the bar open at no extra charge
(AFTER the concert people!)

Sing????????????? Me. Sorry I got the wrong end of the stick. When you say Gleeish, what exactly do you mean?

As in the tv show Glee, possibly doing song(s) from it Go on, you know you want to



Yeah, definitely. Its a great incentive to practice!

Oh no, you can't back out now .

I have agreed to sing on the grounds that you are as well .

Don't let her back out, Barry.

Would be good to hear you again, meerkat



Sounds wonderful Lois - you've obviously worked very hard to sort this out for us. Thank you!



Yep, that's it. A bit of a very informal singalong. Most of Glee's songs are 70s-90s cheese...



I'll do my best

Thanks Lois, looking forward to it Promise not to hit the bar til after