Update: Here is Keri's review, and the group picture taken by Paul Tombs of PTGraphics.
April 2nd 2011 saw our brave students once again taking to the stage to treat us to an evening of music on saxophones, flutes, Clarinets and indeed even on piano.
Although several students were unable to participate in the concert due to being unavailable, we still had 16 performers and for many it was their first time in front of an audience...
Maddi Smith (Clarinet) aged 7 performed a confident rendition of 'Lullaby on Broadway' (myself accompanying on piano), and also 'Kangaroo tale' a short composition she had written as part of her monthly targets. I explained the 'story' but really the music told it in its entirity as she captured the fun, panic, and eventual happy outcome of the tale.
...The interval then commenced with drinks and cakes (big thanks go to Denise Newbold for providing yummy cake, Ann Bedford for help preparing , and my daughter Lauren and friend Jess for selling tickets and serving refreshments, and Sadie for being expert page turner!)...
...I played one item to close; 'Saxophun' (Rudy Weidoft) on saxophone which (like Anthonys 'Grey cat') required lip bends in order to create the 'laugh' effect. The audience seemed to enjoy the shamelessly silly nature of the piece and after photographs (kindly taken by Paul Tombs of www.ptgraphics.co.uk) we were able to head home content in the fact that another concert had gone well and all had indeed survived!. Profit from ticket sales is to be donated to WWF (World wildlife federation)
And then on the Sunday we both took part in the Nottinghamshire and Nottingham City Family Orchestra and Choir's inaugural performance, as part of the BBC Philharmonic's 'Once Upon a Time' at the Royal Concert Hall. The programme, hosted by CBeebies' Chris Jarvis, included Prokofiev's Midnight and Waltz from Cinderella, Hedwig’s Theme from Harry Potter, and Star Wars, by John Williams, the Tchaikovsky Suite from The Nutcracker, as well as Dukas' The Sorceror's Apprentice, and our own mashup of the piece, 'The Apprentice's Sauce'
during rehearsals in the Royal Centre foyer
practicing with new friends Sophie and Natasha
Quite apart from the more obvious learning about orchestras and orchestral instruments, and the unique opportunity to play in such an amazing venue with professional musicians, the long days of rehearsals have led to definite improvements in our embouchure and breathing, and we have gained valuable experience in playing with others; listening to others and to instructions, keeping time and counting, watching the conductor at all times. Another project may be in the pipeline- I really hope so :o)
In the same week, we also met up with some of the cast of North Nottinghamshire Gang Show, to watch the Nottingham Gang Show. We all really enjoyed catching up with old friends and joining in with 'Crest of a Wave' and now can't wait for rehearsals for the next show to start.
No comments:
Post a Comment