Northiam Chamber Orchestra, formerly Halden Sound Music Group

A new name for the orchestra

2011-05-28T03:54:00.001-07:00

The Halden Sound Music Group is now known as the Northiam Chamber Orchestra. This blog is inactive at the moment, but if you want information about the orchestra's current activities, or are interested in joining, it can be found rehearsing in Northiam Village Hall on Thursday evenings between 7.30 and 9.30, during school terms. Alternatively, you may contact the conductor by e-mail at peterfields@gmail.com

Start of 2011 rehearsals

2011-01-11T14:52:00.000-08:00

The first rehearsal of this term will be on Thursday 13 January at 7.30 pm in Northiam Village Hall.

The Early History of Halden Sound Music Group

2010-09-29T12:32:00.001-07:00

This post is withdrawn for further editing at Henry's request.

2010-09-15T14:28:00.000-07:00

Current activities

2010-07-01T10:36:00.000-07:00

Work on the Eroica Symphony has been suspended until next term as we prepare for an open-air concert in Northiam on the afternoon of Sunday 18 July. Weekly schedules reminding players what we need to practice for the next meeting are sent by e-mail to those members who have computers and internet access. For those who don't, you're missing out on the blog too.

Does the blog fulfil any useful role? I'm sorry it hasn't been very active of late, but below is another episode of Henry Starnes's recollections of the group. Please let me have any contributions, comments or any evidence that someone out there is reading this stuff. I read recently that blogs, like poetry, are more written than read, and I fear this may be accurate. In any case, a new blogger will need to take over, as I am retiring at the end of this term, due to trivial, (but critical for an aspiring string player), physical infirmity.

2010-07-01T10:32:00.000-07:00

2010-04-20T15:23:00.000-07:00

Summer term starts

2010-04-20T15:14:00.000-07:00

Our first rehearsal after the Easter break took place on 15 April, and a questionnaire was distributed to seek members' opinions on our future activities. This arose following a discussion during the Easter break where Peter, Aileen, Jackie and I talked about where we should be heading. Opinions are sought on whether we should confine ourselves to rehearsals or do some concerts, whether we should try working with soloists or choirs, recruitment, and the structure of our rehearsals. If you don't have a copy, please let Aileen or Jackie know.

Spring Break

2010-03-25T02:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the last practice before our two week Easter break,after a term disrupted by bad weather. Aileen and some other members of the Group are meeting Peter Fields next week for a discussion about our future activities. If you have any points to make, please speak to Aileen or myself.

Spring in the Air

2010-03-13T04:19:00.000-08:00

Thursday's rehearsal was a lively session, with more work on the Overture from Die Fledermaus, followed by making a start on Suppe's Overture, Light Cavalry. From where I sit in the viola section it seemed to go amazingly well, and we had a better balance in numbers between first and second violins this week. New and very welcome recruits are appearing. Would anyone like to kick off with a brief musical autobiography to help us find out more about each other. In the absence of any volunteers I may have to kick off myself.

2010-03-13T04:12:00.000-08:00

Orchestra shows resilience in face of more adverse weather

2010-02-28T10:55:00.000-08:00

Good turnout last Thursday, I hear, in spite of widespread flooding. I missed this rehearsal, being occupied with caring duties, (think Florence Nightingale but taller). I hope to be back this week, after which there will be only three more meetings before the Easter break. See panel on right for dates.

Orchestra hit by illness and injury

2010-02-21T13:07:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday's practice was notable for the absence of all but one of the first violins, while five turned out for the seconds, none willing to be demoted to the firsts. Also on sick leave were a viola player and a bassoonist. To make up for this we had a trombonist again. We desperately need a tambourine and someone to play it, for La Calinda. Let's hope all the illnesses and injuries are better by our next meeting on 25th February.

February News Update

2010-02-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

As we have already missed two rehearsals because of bad weather this term, with the possibility of more snow to come, general agreement was that we don't need a half-term break this month.

Yesterday we played The Barber of Seville Overture, (Rossini), again, also the Waltz from Tschaikowsky's ballet, the Sleeping Princess, and lastly made a start on La Calinda, a dance from Delius's opera, Koanga. For information about this opera click on the link to the Wikipedia entry in the panel on the right.

The Tschaikowsky score lacks reference marks and bar numbers, and to aid navigation Peter has asked us all to write in bar numbers at the beginning of each line in our parts.

2010-01-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

First Rehearsal of the Decade

2010-01-21T16:47:00.000-08:00

At last we have got under way, with a good turn out for the first session with our new Musical Director, Peter Fields. We played through two Overtures, Beethoven's Egmont and Rossini's The Barber of Seville.

Don't forget you can print off your own parts using the link on the right, however the Rossini is not the same edition, even though the reference letters A to L are in the same places. It does not however include cues. The Egmont is the identical Breitkopf & Hartel edition, but not quite so easy to read when shrunk down to fit an A4 sheet. You can even download a score if you want to see how the piece is put together.

Henry Starnes has contributed another instalment of his history of the group, which will be appearing shortly. See below if you haven't yet read Part I.

Third Time Lucky?

2010-01-16T15:12:00.000-08:00

Once again we had to defer the start of our new term because of the weather. The snow does seem to have gone at last, so we hope to make a start under Peter Fields's direction next Thursday, 21 January.

Come back global warming

2010-01-07T04:44:00.000-08:00

Because of the snow and ice affecting our area, the first meeting of 2010 has been postponed from 7 to 14 January. Everyone's raring to go, I'm sure, so let's hope the weather improves by next week.

A message from Judy Hollis

2009-12-17T07:42:00.000-08:00

I have just had the following message for all orchestra members from Judy:

Dear Halden Sound Members

First of all, many thanks to any of you I haven’t so far contacted, for the most generous gift and your best wishes. I am not really retiring from music, but having had a lifetime either playing, (solo, chamber and orchestral), conducting or teaching, I feel it is time perhaps to experience other things in life – e.g. my grandson, (15 months), and wildlife interests.

I shall still be playing professionally where and when I’m required. The Beresford Quartet and Orchestra will be doing a few concerts next year, and I’ll no doubt be in an orchestra accompanying choral societies in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex.

I do some regular volunteer work, both people and wildlife based, e.g. I’m a roadside verge warden and an assessor for Gardening for Wildlife for the Kent Trust for Nature. So as you can see, I shan’t be putting my feet up much by the fire – well, sometimes perhaps!

Halden Sound will probably be the last amateur orchestra that I shall have worked for. Over my lifetime I’ve done quite a bit of leading and conducting amateur orchestras – e.g. Greenwich Symphony, Fulham Municipal, Morley College, Ashford Symphony, Canterbury Orchestra and the Old Barn etc.

My teaching career started mainly with peripatetic violin teaching, and finished with ten years at Ashford School as Head of Music in the Junior School.

It has been an interesting and varied career in music, and I’ve met some lovely friendly people – like yourselves of course. I’ve enjoyed my time with you and wish the orchestra every success in the future. I would be delighted to come back and take the occasional rehearsal if required.

All Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year,

Judy

Farewell Judy, Welcome Peter

2009-12-13T13:22:00.000-08:00

Our last meeting of 2009 was last Thursday. We had a small audience of devoted relatives and friends, some of whom were, I hope, impressed with our performance of Mozart's Symphony No 40, a piece I doubt very much if we could have played with such success a couple of years ago. We had a party, sorry to say goodbye to Judy, and grateful for all she has done for us over the past few years. I hope Judy will send me a message for the blog.

Click on the picture above for a larger version.

Some of you have had difficulty in leaving comments, which I think is easier if you have a Google account, quite free and useful for some other functions too. If this isn't easy, send me an e-mail at lyoulten@aol.com if you have any message for me, your fellow musicians or the world at large. Is there anything else we could be doing? Do we need a blog at all?

A very Happy Christmas and New Years greetings to all, (or should that be "both"?), my readers. Looking forward to our first meeting with Peter Fields in charge on Thursday 7 January 2010.

Watch this space

2009-12-10T09:50:00.000-08:00

Tonight's meeting, our last in 2009, is a landmark in the group's history, marking Judy Hollis's retirement as our Musical Director, and an opportunity for us to welcome her successor, Peter Fields. Families and friends are invited to an end-of-era party, which will be preceded by a performance of Mozart's Symphony No 40. I hope our sight-reading won't be too badly affected by the tears in our eyes. Full report to be posted this week-end, including a few photographs.

Welcome to our new Musical Director, Peter Fields

2009-11-29T05:12:00.000-08:00

Peter Fields, who will take over from Judy Hollis as our Musical Director in January 2010, brings to our group a wealth of musical experience, playing, teaching, both to individuals and in schools, and directing. He is an accomplished performer on both violin and piano, and has played with many distinguished orchestras in Britain and overseas. The list of virtuosi with whom he has performed reads like a Who's Who of classical and popular music: Menhuin, Ashkenazy, Svetlanov, Maazel, Kempe, Guilini, Lill, Oistrakh, Carreras, Julian Lloyd Webber, Charlotte Church , Tommy Steele, Dionne Warwick, Henry Mancini and others.

Peter's wife, Sue, plays in our violin section, and Peter lives locally, so knows us well, and will be aware of our strengths and weaknesses. We warmly welcome Peter's appointment, and hope we can maintain our musical momentum, so much due to Judy's efforts, under his direction.

2009-11-29T04:44:00.000-08:00

New Director, New Members

2009-11-20T02:52:00.000-08:00

We practised the Beethoven Symphony No 2 again on 19 November, and seemed to make great progress with it. There were plenty of players in the violin sections, including two new members: Hattie Cole from Rye and Abi Cottrell from Peasmarsh. A warm welcome to them both, and to all our other recent recruits. Next week we're looking at Mozart Symphony No 40 again.

The big news this week is that we can look forward to continuing into 2010 now that we have Peter Fields, Sue's husband, as a successor to Judy Hollis. Like Judy, he is a string player, which I feel is a good thing for the group. Also he knows us, and our strengths and weaknesses. I hope to have a brief CV from him to post here soon.

I'm hoping to get potted musical biographies from everyone in due course. All contributions welcome.

Fresh Fields...

2009-11-18T15:53:00.000-08:00

News from Aileen that we have found a new Director to take us under his wing when Judy retires at Christmas. Listen for the announcement on Thursday, and visit this blog for more details after the rehearsal.

Progress Report

2009-11-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

Another good rehearsal, mainly of Beethoven's Symphony No 2, which brought home to us how much progress we've made, thanks to Judy, in the last couple of years. If Judy can't be persuaded to continue, we'd be very fortunate to get a successor with her gift for bringing out the best in us.

We also played a Suite of Scottish Dances, which gave Stephen a chance to demonstrate his impressive highland fiddling skills.

Don't forget you can leave comments here. None so far, but you could, for example, send apologies via a comment. Just click below.

November News

2009-11-09T06:20:00.000-08:00

We restarted practices after the half-term break last Thursday. The orchestra was at virtually full strength and we played through Mozart's Symphony No 40 again. Beethoven's 2nd again next week. The search for a successor for Judy goes on; news of a possible candidate. We have only five more rehearsal days before Christmas.

Some Forthcoming Events

2009-10-26T02:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of us during our coffee break. No third viola visible as acting as photographer.

Winchelsea Singers are putting on a concert performance of Bizet's Carmen in the New Hall, Winchelsea, on Friday 6 November, 2.00 pm, refreshments available, and on Saturday 7 November, 7.00 pm, bar available. Tickets £8 from Winchelsea Post Office or by phone, 01797 223159.

Cranbrook Orchestra, Conductor Michael Robertson, is giving a concert in St Dunstan's Church, Cranbrook, Saturday 28 November, 7.30 pm. Tickets, price £10 adult, £5 student, available at the door or from Crane Bookshop, Cranbrook, Bourne & Barnes, Hawkhurst or Carillon Cottage, Wadhurst. Programme includes Dvorak New World Symphony, Elgar Cello Concerto, (soloist Alice McVeigh), and Sibelius Karelia Suite.

No Halden Sound rehearsal this week, 29 October, (half term). Last meeting this term will be on Thursday 10 December. Last week we made a start on Beethoven's Symphony No 2

2009-10-21T08:20:00.000-07:00

Halden Sound History

Henry Starnes has kindly agreed to write a short history of the orchestra, which should be appearing shortly on this blog.

At last Thursday's practice we played the Mozart Symphony No 40 again, and shall be spending more time on it next week, after which Judy is planning to have us try Beethoven's Symphony No 2. Don't forget you can look at your part in advance by downloading it from the online music library. (Click here).

Don't forget you can comment on the blog by clicking on the "comment" button at the foot of each post.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

From our Rye Correspondent

Vis-a-vis the enquiries last term about the female composer whose work we played, Elspeth Wrenn writes:

Eric Blom says that Cecile Chaminade was born on 8th August 1857 in Paris , she died on 17th April 1944 in Monte Carlo and she wrote La Sevillane, a comic opera, songs, music for orchestra and piano, piano music and music for a ballet. Her first composition was begun at the age of 8 and her first concert was given at the age of 18.

Thursday, October 08, 2009

October Update

Subscriptions, (still £20), for the term are now due and Aileen will have her receipt book at the rehearsals.

Our half-term break means that there will be no orchestra practice on Thursday 29 October. I imagine the Hall might be available for a group wanting to arrange something without our Director that evening. Please speak to Aileen.

I am trying to audit the use of the blog by orchestra members and to this end would appreciate it if they would send me an e-mail at lyoulten@aol.com when they see this post. If you have any news or views that might be useful to include in my next post, please let me know.

A wonderful website to explore, if you don't already know it, is "Spotify", where you can, with great ease, access recordings of any work you can think of, all free of charge, unless you want to download them to use on your iPods, in which case there's a subscription. All you need is a reasonable broadband connection.

Monday, September 28, 2009

IMSLP: the answer to prayers about missing parts (music, not anatomical)

Robin Fox, our bassoonist, has found a very useful website from which one can download and print scores and instrumental parts for over 17000 works, quite legally and free of charge. IMSLP is the International Music Score Library Project, and is an example of a "wiki" which consists of user- generated content. Anyone with sheet music in the public domain is free to upload it to the site, where it is then available to all. Within a few minutes of receiving Robin's message I successfully found, downloaded and printed a viola part for the Schubert Symphony we started working on last Thursday. The site is readily found by googling " IMSLP/Petrucci Music Library ". No registration or passwords are required. Many thanks to Robin for finding this.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

A New Term Starts

We had our first rehearsal of the new term on Thursday 24 September, with an almost full turn-out: Three first violins, three seconds, three violas and four cellos, bassoon, clarinets, oboes and flute. Still a few missing, either away or unwell, and plenty of room in the Northiam Village Hall for more recruits, especially in the violin section.

We shall be working on Schubert's 1st Symphony, D 82 in D major this term, as well as other pieces yet to be decided. On Thursday we made a start on this, after playing through two short works by Arne and Gluck.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Update on orchestra activities

The lack of recent postings on the Halden Sound blog does not mean that we have been inactive since March 2007. We have survived the departure of our leader, Howard Kilner, who headed north accompanied by three of our other string players, aka his family, to live in Derbyshire. Judy Hollis has continued as our director, and we have had a full programme of practices, weekly in term time, in the Northiam Village Hall. We start the next session on Thursday 24 September, at 7.30 pm, with tea and biscuits at half time, finishing at about 9.30. New recruits are always welcome, particularly in the violin section. For more information about us, contact me by phone (01797 224045) or e-mail (lyoulten@aol.com).

The culmination of last term's activities was an afternoon concert in Wittersham Church as part of the Flower Festival on Saturday 28 June. We're getting more and more ambitious, with works by Schubert, Mendelssohn, Bach, Bizet and Elgar included in this last concert.

To our great disappointment, Judy has said she wants to retire as Director at the end of this term, so we shall be looking for a successor to take over in 2010.

Watch this space for what I hope will now be more frequent news of our activities.