We are now aiming to run this event on Saturday 28th April 2012.

I haven't been in here in the forum for some time, but this attracted me.
Of all events the one I enjoyed most was Cardiff - twice now.

Timing is interesting because yesterday I cancelled my booked music lessons. It seems I have reached a peak in my playing and that all music is about for me now is practice and lessons.

I had planned Grade 5 for this December but my progress was scratchy and unlikely to get me up to scratch - we put it back to next March and my enthusiasm has waned a bit for what was my main exam achievement.

My teacher didn't seem to think I was good enough for the local wind band and the next nearest in Tenbury Wells. They practice Saturday evenings and, whilst some Saturday performances would be fine, every Saturday evening for band practice is an issue in my social life; even though it appears to be a very nice and supportive band.

So, for now, I will maintain some practice, and play for the older folks at lunch in my village each month, whist I decide whether to continue into the new year - and if I do I will seriously consider Cardiff.

If the enthusiasm does not return there may be a very nice clarinet for sale.

Nice to hear from you Chris, but so sorry to hear about your lack of enthusiasm for the clarinet. You do have so much potential and were making significant progress. Maybe you just need a change of teacher or a different approach? Hopefully we will meet up at one of the forum events in the New Year. Take care.

Wow, I never expected the first response from you! You know, and I guess I shouldn't express this out loud for fear that I get misunderstood, but I do miss you. Our sessions and your patience.

I do now have to think about teachers as well as all else and my break from everything until after Christmas may well help me. You know, I am sure will notice quite a difference from early this year when we last played together; I was so confident then that I would be through 5 by the autumn but that went back to December and I decided to leave it until March because my confidence was slipping.

It's strange, I am actually playing better than ever but my confidence in my ability to improve is rapidly diminishing. I think it is probably the full moon or something - or all this fresh air out in the country.

I trust everything is well with you, I think of your teaching and great support quite often.

Very sorry Badstrad, we hi-jacked your thread.

Please consider me a very likely participant - that gives me a target and a reason not to sell my beautiful instrument just yet.

Perhaps I'll play one of my Grade 5 pieces - the Mendelssohn is well practiced so maybe that one?

Hopefully I would be able to attend but it's going to depend on what part of the country I'm living in by then

ChrisO - I've heard you play at the Cardiff and Gloucester events and I consider you to be a very talented clarinetist.

Blackbirds have such a nice tune ... that's the nicest thing I have heard for a long time, thank you so much.

Ah...if you're running this as an adult learner event, I don't think I can find enough stuff to do (or really the necessary motivation) to do four cello solos in a row (Egham, Cardiff, Glasgow, Stalybridge). Was hoping to do flute or saxophone at Cardiff, but I'm not an adult learner on either, really.

Sorry

But you are the father of the event, Barry - it's not the same without you

Glasgow won't be specifically Adult Learners this time Barry, so you can choose to play what you wish! Whether that is Cello, or Flute or Sax or Clari... And we will have plenty of ensemble stuff again too If this makes your decision any easier...

We'll see what BadStrad says...



I shall ponder...

Well I think whatever the level we get to there's always something new to learn.

Not sure what level you are on flute or Sax, Barry, but if you feel you're not a learner, and don't want to play cello, maybe you could duet with one of the less experienced? Just a thought.

If I'm honest I thought all the events were for adult learners except things like the summer schools.

I would love to come to this, the last Cardiff event was fab. However, at the moment I'm going to have to be a maybe, my current work secondment is making it very difficult to book leave etc

Not every single one, BadStrad : the Glasgow event is an all-comers, we used to have jo.clarinet's events at Woodford in East London which were similar, it's looking like Pixie*Porsche's event will also be similar, and I clarinetted at both the previous Cardiff events, and have two stickers in the corners of my clari case to prove it

My own thought on being an adult learner is that I don't qualify on anything that I earn money on through teaching. playing, or both, which eliminates both flute and sax...

Cardiff isn't too far from Trowbridge, so hope to be able to come

Sorry to hear you've lost some confidence & enthusiasm Chris. I enjoyed your lively performance at Gloucester in June & missed you earlier this month. Hope to see you in Cardiff

I do miss the Forums concerts (as opposed to the Adult Learners' events). I was thinking of maybe running one in Hampshire, subject to a suitable venue being found at a suitable price.

That would be nice, and eminently daytrippable for me too

Back on topic : I'd still like to go if the setup is similar to the two previous Cardiff events. If it is definitely going to be a 'pure' adult learner event though, I'll probably skip this event...

As I didn't organise the previous Cardiff events you're going to have to help me here Barry. What was the previous set up?

OK : the Cardiff concerts were rather different to most of the events - we all had our pieces to play, but none were programmed (though accompanists were allocated to those who wanted them) - we then went up to play whenever we wanted to, and we could play whatever instrument we chose, whether we were professional on that instrument or not. Main reason why I wanted to do flute or sax at Cardiff is because I haven't played a solo on either at a forum event before...

Both previous Cardiff events were very string-biased.

For Cardiff 2, there was a further event on the Sunday where professional viola player Ross Cohen led us through various musical games, then we had a mass orchestral playthrough session, which I directed.

But this is your gig, and you must do what you want to, and I won't be at all offended if you want to keep it to purely 'adult learners'

I like the idea of keeping the same format. I really enjoyed the informal atmosphere of the last Cardiff event.

Cool I shall consider that to be licence to bring a flute or sax then Am busy on the Sunday, so will have to leave on the Saturday evening, but I'll come along

I was sorry to miss the event, Hardying.
I had a performance the prior week in my village and my last minute accompanist asked me to share playing again the following week. I felt I could not miss the opportunity.
I did miss you and all the other nice musicians I meet along the way and it will be good to see you again.
So, that's commitment, I will be in Cardiff - I picked up my clari last evening and it performed so nicely for me that I promised to keep the friendship in place.
I will play the movement from the Mendelssohn Sonata picked for Grade 5 and, in the meantime, practice some more of this, the first classical music I have played written specifically for clarinet.
Look forward to seeing you again.

What exactly happens at these events? Sorry if it's a daft question.

S.

Good question? That's what I wondered when I went to my first Cardiff Adult Learners Concert. I've only been to that one - couldn't make Gloucester this year - so can only comment on that.

Before the event those that wanted accompanying were put in touch with pianists to sort out music. We each gave Looney-Tunes (organiser) a brief blurb about ourself and our pieces. She put those together, so we had a kind of program to keep as a momento, but it wasn't a strict running order.

The event itself was very relaxed. On the day there was rehearsal time, individual, with the pianists and some ensembles were created (strings). They started the event - which was a nice ice breaker, no one had the stress of being first up as the string group had broken the ice. After that we just went up and played when we felt up to it. There was no formal program, though we had a number of minutes each to use all or part of. All in all, it was a very supportive atmosphere.

I believe some of the other events are more formalised with the opportunity to give feedback for those that want it (say if they're prepping for exams).

I'm kind of organising the next Cardiff event and unless there is a mass of requests to alter the format I'll stick to what I experienced - a fun and supprtive environment for adults to play to an audience.

I hope that gives you some idea of what you might expect at an event. I'm sure others can provide more info on how the other events pan out.

Where are the Cardiff concerts held please?
Is parking easy, or are they near the train station?
Thanks

PM on its way, Hardying.

Thanks for that Barry.

Can I conclude that the venue will again be the chapel at the hospital?

That's the plan. Looney-Tunes is on the case. The chapel aren't taking bookings for 2012 until 2012, but as the date is after Easter it should be OK. Obviously I'll post something when the booking has been confirmed.

I might see if I can pootle over. I don't think I am really an adult learner though...???

It's not really an adult learner event a la katyjay and sbhoa's : it's more a forum concert. I'm intending to play saxophone and/or flute, Nicki.

I still haven't heard you do a flute solo...

True. And I still haven't played a saxophone solo at any forum event...

I would like to attend the Cardiff event but not sure if I have learnt enough to take part . By 28th April I hope to have passed grade three piano or if not will be heading for the exam again ! My performance experience is nil and at my age will probably remain so unless I meet other learners .
How does one register an interest in attending and/or receive details ? I would be coming from the west .

Hi ljg. Great to hear of your interest.

I'll be organising this event. I am just waiting for final confirmation of the venue and then I'll get myself in gear and give out more details - or at least confirm the date.

I'll start a new thread maybe to let people know and they can either post to that or PM me to say they're interested.

I went to my first event when I'd been playing about 18 months and had only played in my front room - not even an exam, so it was great to give it a go in a friendly and supportive environment. I'm intending for it to be just as relaxed - no set order - people can get up to play when they feel the moment with I guess a maximum time allocated so we don't run on too long.

Hello ljg

At my first forum event I was a rather optimistic grade 3 - I entered as grade 2; everyone will know where you are and expect no more than your learning experience could reasonably deliver.

These are very supportive occasions and I will be surprised if you don't enjoy this trip to Cardiff.

Hope to see you there.

Chris

Where's this event taking place please?

Hi Jelly Roll - we're hoping to use the chaplaincy at the University Hospital - Wales - just off the A470. It's a lovely room with a gorgeous Bosendorfer grand. Just awaiting final confirmation on that - as they weren't taking bookings until after new year.

Sounds interesting, im kicking myself I havent been to one yet, even if I just come to watch!

Not at all forcing you, but do you not fancy playing?

All being well I shall be there !

yes, I`d like that very much, ~ If I can get 3 short pieces together,
as long as I put the event in my phone i`ll turn up haha.

If there are the same time limits as most events (to allow as many people as possible to play) they would have to be short. Time limit has been typically no more than 5 minutes.

make that 2 pieces then

Cheap train fares for the 27th/28th April should be online in the next week or so...

Has the date been confirmed?

Doesn't look as if it has yet

If it is then I won't be able to make it to this one

Not as far as I'm aware, Nicki.

Had a message from Looney Tunes and she said the chaplaincy had said to go ahead with 28th April. So it seems we have a date. Hurray!

Excellent : I shall book train tickets in the next week or so