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NEWSLETTER AUTUMN 2005
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Welcome to this, the
first newsletter for sponsors and patrons of the orchestra. We would
appreciate any feedback about its contents and suggestions as to the
type of information that you would like to see appearing.
Looking forward to our Autumn Concert
The committee has been
working hard through the summer preparing for our autumn
concert
in the Easterbrook Hall on the 20th November 2005. The success of our
recent concerts has been a real spur to further raising of standards,
an important aim for our conductor Geoff Keating. We are very
fortunate to have somebody of his calibre and experience to direct
us. Rehearsals are not merely a "run-through" but are a
learning process always enhanced by Geoff's vision of the music, his
imagery, his encouragement, and of course the occasional subtle or
gentle correction!
Practice
makes perfect
We are also fortunate to
have a growing pool of musicians keen to play with the orchestra and
although we are spread over a fairly large area, we are proud that we
can turn out a full symphony orchestra for the Easterbrook Hall
concerts. The mix of both amateur and trained musicians is
invigorating and allows us the opportunity to learn from one another
- an opportunity we might not otherwise have. We are also fortunate
that a number of our members are music teachers who actively promote
the learning, and awareness, of orchestral instruments. Other
projects exist in the area for encouraging young players, notably the
Galloway Young Strings.
Horns Abroad!
Solway Sinfonia members
Martin Prowse, Pam Harris and son Jonathan Harris are also members of
the horn group, Scottish Vienna Horns, founded in 1993. In September
2005, between appearances in Montrose and Glamis, Lanercost Priory
and Castle Douglas, Scottish Vienna Horns performed in Stadt Haag in
Austria and played during the Sunday Mass in the Stiftskirche of St.
Florian. By chance, this was the location that weekend for the
biennial conference of the Anton Bruckner Institute of Linz and a
group of conference members afterwards expressed their appreciation
at hearing the brass harmonies of Bruckner emanating from the gallery
of the great "Bruckner Organ", and their surprise to learn
they were produced by "lauter Hörner" (nothing but horns).
Young strings are a hit
Galloway Young Strings
was formed in October 2004 with the aim of giving young string
players more opportunities to play together in a group. It is
run by Roslyn Henry, Pauline Roe and Susan Smyth (all members of the
Solway Sinfonia) and takes place in Gatehouse Community Centre every
Monday. The music played ranges from classical, through
traditional Scottish, to popular music. It is arranged in
several parts according to the players' standard, currently ranging
from complete beginner to Grade 4, so that each member plays music
suited to his or her ability.
The group also play
musical games that form part of the weekly sessions and are intended
to help develop the players' musical awareness. The age range
of the players is currently 6 to 12, all of these children being
violin players, although the group is open to viola and cello players
too! The cello line is provided by another adult, Jonny
Dowswell. So far GYS has given three concerts, which were well
attended and enjoyed by both players and audience. New members are
always welcome! Please contact Susan
Smyth or pass these details on to anybody you feel may be interested.
Lecture by Geoff Keating
As part of the University
of Paisley's extra-mural programme, Geoff Keating will give a
commentary on, and play extracts from our programme for the Autumn
Concert - Tchaikovsky's Fantasy Overture Romeo and Juliet, Elgar's
Sea Pictures and Dvorák's Symphony no.9 "From the New
World". The lecture is at 2.00pm,Thurs 17th November 2005 in the
Parish Church hall, Gatehouse of Fleet. Tickets £6 at the door.