Pre-Concert Conductor’s Notes

Goodness, how have we almost got to the end of this ‘term’ and I’m only just posting my first Conductor’s Notes?! I’m so sorry for this! What a short whirlwind of a term it’s been. I want to thank you all for your hard work and commitment to turn out such a hard programme of music in only 6 weeks or so; I’ve been incredibly impressed with how well everyone has picked up the music, and that’s testament to what a good team you are as an orchestra.

This isn’t so much a “what we’ve done” and “what we will do” type post, more confirming everything for both Monday’s rehearsal and Friday’s rehearsal and concert. Thanks for reading this so carefully.

Monday 30th May
We’ll be going through most of the repertoire, fine tuning small bits, to ensure everyone is as happy as possible, especially as we’ll have some of our guest players with us. As I said, it’s been a very rapid turnover of music, so please do voice any concerns about any of it on Monday, and we’ll do our best to cover it.

Friday 3rd June
Concert day! We’ve “sold out” the concert, which is fabulous, and you all deserve an excellent audience for it, so let’s give them a good show!

The rehearsal:
Is in The Anstice (not Jubilee House!). Please arrive for 13:15, for a prompt 13:30 start. If anyone can arrive at 13:00 to help set up, including percussion, that would be brilliant – please note that woodwind and brass will be on the stage, so will need extra time to sort out the available space.
The rehearsal will finish at 16:30, giving us plenty of time for a break.

The concert:
Will begin at 19:00. Please be in seats, ready to go at 18:55. This concert will undoubtedly be more relaxed than out ‘usual’ concerts, especially as the bar will be open throughout, but it’s important we look professional in our stage management.
The concert will finish around 21:45.

Instrument cases:
For the rehearsal, in the main hall.
For the concert, please use the library downstairs to avoid trip hazards on the stage and in our limited space.

Dress Code:
Think “BBC Symphony Orchestra at the Last Night of the Proms”. Either:
Dinner Jackets (black jacket, white shirt, black trousers) with coloured bowtie, cummerbund, pocket square, etc.
OR
Block coloured dress/skirt/blouse with black trousers.
OR
All black with a splash of colour!

Concert Order:

Just to completely clarify the concert order, it is:

Bizet – Movements from Carmen Suites 1 & 2
– Prelude and Aragonaise (1 & 1a)
– Habanera (7)
– Chanson du Toréador (9)
– Intermezzo (2)
– Les Toréadors (5)
Brahms – Hungarian Dance no. 5
Dvorak – Slavonic Dances, op. 46
– Number 4
– Number 8
Strauss – Radetzky March
Interval of 30 minutes (or so)
Coates – Dambusters
Vaughan Williams – English Folk Song Suite
Grainger – Irish Tune from County Derry
Parry – Jerusalem
Wood – Fantasia on British Sea Songs
Elgar – Pomp and Circumstance
Trad. – National Anthem

Spotify Playlist

It may be a bit late for this, but in case it helps you familiarise yourself with the music, please check out the Spotify Playlist HERE.

I think that’s everything…
If you have any questions, please email me or Phil and we’ll do our best to help.

See you all on Monday!
-Ben