FESYO Newsletter #3 – October 2005
Message to Friends
This year started with a stimulating and exciting summer concert on Friday 29 July 2005 in the wonderful concert hall of LSO St Luke’s in the Barbican, London followed by another superb concert at the White Rock Theatre in Hastings on Sunday 31 July 2005. The 26th anniversary programme of events proved a real success and we were delighted to see so many friends involved.
ESYO were given the privilege to perform a world premiere from a distinguished musician, and the London concert was broadcast live on the Internet on the East Sussex County Council website. This broadcast is still available for viewing on their website.
A summer outdoor barbecue including live Jazz music and quiz for everyone took place at the Performing Arts Centre in Lewes on Wednesday evening of 27 July 2005 at 5.30 pm after the music workshop. The barbecue was well attended and was a huge success.
At the barbecue we said farewell to a teacher who stepped down after 26 years of dedicated service to the Orchestra. We gave him a precious book on photography which was appreciated as photography is his passion. The staff at the East Sussex Music Service gave him a Hawaiian shirt. His email of 3 August 2005 is included in this Newsletter.
At the barbecue we gave two huge bouquets of flowers to two committee members for their devotion to the Friends Committee and completing their maximum six years term. We also gave flowers to an office staff who has supported the Friends with administration and has left the East Sussex Music Service to train as a Music Teacher.
As ever, it has been a privilege to listen to and enjoy such a high standard of music performed by the ESYO players which has only been possible by the hard work put in by the players, Colin Metters (their Conductor), the teachers and the tremendous support of the East Sussex Music Service, parents and friends. People are our biggest asset and we value their contributions greatly.
We attach a revised timetable for the future events that goes as far as the Summer of 2007. Do invite all your friends and relatives as they are most welcome.
Next year in Summer 2006 we hope to promote a charity concert that will raise substantial funds for a well known charity and ESYO, as well as add new dimension and purpose to ESYO. The Orchestra is part of a community from which it draws as well as gives benefits.
Next year in Summer 2006 the Orchestra is planning a tour to the region of Valencia in Spain where it would perform concerts that will form part of a wider International Festival and may also attract EU funding. This will be a tremendous opportunity for ESYO players. We hope that a number of Friends will also attend concerts in Spain.
You will note that the 2005 Christmas course and concert this year will be replaced by a combination of AGM, Informal recitals, Quiz, DVD of the St Luke’s summer concert and Christmas party on Tuesday 20 December 2005. We are also hoping that the recitals will consist of some new music written by a local musician, which has not been performed before.
Nigel Philips has kindly agreed to chair the AGM on my behalf on Tuesday 20 December 2005 as Janet and I are taking a trip around New Zealand during the Christmas period. It will seem unusual to spend Christmas in a warmer climate.
Best Wishes.
Mustak Damani
Chairman
A Teacher's email:
>Original Message --
>From: "A Teacher "
>To: "Mustak Damani"
>Subject: FESYO - Summer 2005
>Date: Wed, 3 Aug 2005 15:21:22 +0100
>
>
>Dear Mustak and all Committee Members,
>
>Thank you so much for such a wonderful gift. The book provides a unique
>insight into the way people all over the world behave, whether they are
>aware of a camera or not. The artistry of HCBresson is undoubtably French, but his eye for detail, design, and >matters of the moment is quite remarkable. I shall treasure this volume and revisit it often I can assure you.
>
>My active involvement with ESYO has to be over, but I do hope to be able to retain a link as I think you have >gathered in a less formal way, as it has quite frankly been a 'way of life' for all these years! I was thrilled, not only
>from what Colin said at the beginning, but to be able to hear the whole
>concert at Hastings as a member of the audience for the first time, without having to concern myself with matters >backstage! (or front of house). I have every confidence in Richard and Tony both of whom seem to have >very >positive and constructive ideas for the future of the Orchestra.
>Your own support to me over the years has been tremendous in helping us all to achieve a better situation for the >players both collectively and individually, whatever the project.
>
>My sincerest thanks again for all you have done and are doing, with very
>best wishes to you all for the future.
>
>"A Teacher"
Some comments on the photography book:
"We acknowledged his passionate interest by finding the most
comprehensive survey we could of the work of perhaps the greatest
photographer of all time: Henri Cartier-Bresson [1908-2004.] A pioneer
of shooting only in available light, he developed an uncanny split
second recognition of a significant picture plus the ability
simultaneously to organise the image not only as a work of art but also
as an expression of human dignity. The fact that 100,000 of his images
can be available in poster form shows his importance and appeal."
Main highlights of the 2005 Season to date:
Some of the main highlights of the Summer 2005 activities.
The first two photographs show the Rehearsal Summer Course at Sussex Downs College near the Performing Arts Centre.
The third and fourth photographs show the Barbecue in action outside Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday evening of 27 July 2005.
The fifth photo is of the LSO St Luke’s in the Barbican, London.
The sixth photo shows ESYO in rehearsal at LSO St Luke’s on Friday 29 July 2005.
The seventh photo shows ESYO performing a world premiere on Friday 29 July 2005.
The eighth photo shows ESYO at the conclusion of the performance of Mahler’s Symphony No 1 in D major “The Titan”.
3 September to 17 September 2005
ARTWAVE LUNCHTIME RECITALS
Carrying on from the Westgate Chapel recital programme in the Spring, members of the East Sussex Youth Orchestra performed a number of lunchtime chamber, group and solo performances at St John sub Castro Church during early September.
Some ESYO players played Mozart divertimenti, Hayden op 54 No 1 and some Bartok duos on the first of these concerts on Saturday September 3rd. This led to a further concert for the County Council from an appreciative member of the audience. You can never be sure who is watching.
The second Saturday concert on 10th September saw a jazz Saxophonist (ESYO 2000), with friends from the Guildhall, make up a jazz small band. Traditional numbers from Cole Porter and Johnny Mercer to the versatile Charlie Parker were professionally executed in front of a modest but keen audience.
The final Saturday recital played a selection of trumpet concertos, including Hummel and a divertimento in D by Joseph Fiala. Assisted by accompanist from Hurstpierpoint on the piano, this was a delightful concert that many appreciated.
These concerts have many benefits both for the Orchestra and not least the players. It helps to focus the practice that all musicians have to do. It provides a platform to promote the East Sussex Youth Orchestra and it puts some much needed money not only into the pockets of the players but also to the funds of the Association of friends of the orchestra to help with the funding of future events.
Thank you to the players for taking the time and trouble to perform so brilliantly and I hope that this will continue into next year for more Westgate Chapel concerts in the Spring.
Other News
We would like to thank everyone who bought raffle ticket, as they are an excellent way of raising much-needed funds. Your generosity raised £450 for ESYO's next overseas tour. Some of our Friends who preferred not to buy raffle tickets kindly sent donations instead and we are very grateful to them.
The White Rock Theatre, Hastings would not let us draw the raffle on the evening of the concert as planned under the new stricter licensing laws so it was drawn the following day at the Performing Arts Centre, Lewes. The first prize of 2 tickets to Glyndebourne to see the performance of ‘Flight’ was won by a Friend.