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Meeting in Sennybridge Conducted by Delyth Holland and Chris Thomas Music List Delyth: Alyson Lewin: West of Severn (Hawthorn Music) Chris:
Fred Stone: The Bos'n Rag
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Manordeilo Meeting
Our special guest conductor for the day was Marian Mullen who had travelled all the way from Ireland with a wide range of wonderful music - but being thoroughly versatile, she had also included pieces for a 'select few'. Her enthusiasm overcame our trepidations as we focussed our attention on giving our best - almost one-to-a-part. Marian was particularly adept at bringing our players together - listening to each other to create a harmonious whole. As the day progressed, more players joined us at various stages - which didn¹t faize Marian one bit - and more complex pieces were produced for us to tackle. We were certainly put through our paces, and thoroughly enjoyed the results. Many thanks to Marian for so energetically taking us in her stride! Music List Thomas Simpson: Canzon 617
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Meeting in Sennybridge Those of us making our various journeys through the Welsh countryside to Sennybridge cannot fail to have been uplifted by the glorious Spring scenery - a theme which was to be explored musically by our in-house conductors, Theresa Haine and Chris Thomas. With Committee meeting in progress, Theresa valiantly formed the welcoming party, ensuring refreshments and seating were available as players arrived. Many thanks to her and to all those who assisted! Theresa's choice of music then launched us into Spring with an apt variety of very engaging 'Cuckoo' pieces, followed by some deceptively simple Sea Songs for which we perfected a blowing technique to simulate foghorns - great fun. After lunch, attendance became somewhat depleted due to some members' extra commitments. Chris therefore decided on an intimate seating arrangement, and joined in with the playing wherever possible, to good effect. Her choices were from various centuries which gave us plenty of opportunity to change moods, instruments and playing techniques. Our thanks to everyone contributing to the enjoyment experienced on our playing days - from conductors, members and visitors alike. We look forward to a good turnout at Manordeilo on 28th June, when we welcome our Guest Conductor from Dublin, Marian Mullen. Music List Chris: Giovanni Battista Grillo - Canzon à 4 Theresa: Nicholson: The Cuckoo (3 Consort Pieces - Boosey & Hawkes)
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Pastoral Visit by SRP Conductor Any birthday should be cause for celebration, but the very first is a bit special, particularly when a visiting conductor agrees to travel from one side of Britain to the other - and stays cheerful at the prospect. Moira Usher was our special branch birthday present on 8th March, adding wit and warmth to her expertise. Our initial concerns at reduced attendance - even with three visitors, was soon dispelled with the first piece - 'My Lady Carey's Dompe' (Anon. 1525) - a deceptively simple but satisfying four-parter with almost meditative, driving rhythms. Having successfully warmed-up, the twelve of us were then ready to tackle Moira's following choices: Loeillet: Quintet in D minor (Dolmetsch) We were treated to a good helping of enthusiastic encouragement, with apt demonstrations of breathing techniques; Moira will in some of our players' minds be forever remembered as 'the handbag lady', taking Oscar Wilde's Lady Bracknell as a model for controlled, resonant depth of tone! We were also exhorted to stop being so politely 'British' in our desire to avoid making mistakes - and it loosened us up a treat. We needed that to tackle the final great set of pieces, and it was extremely gratifying to have acheived a more than tolerable result from scratch, from so few. Under Moira's guidance we grew in confidence. With the benefit of a whole day's expert tuition we felt this had certainly been a rewarding kick-start to our playing year ahead.
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9 February 2008 A mark of a good teacher is in the results they acheive, and those attending our fifth playing day had a fine selection of varied pieces gently, but expertly persuaded out of them, and were delighted with the noticeable improvement in playing as the day progressed. Chris Thomas and Delyth Holland shared the day's conducting in the excellent acoustic of Maescar Community Hall in Sennybridge. Twelve members and two visitors travelled together musically, across the world and many centuries, accommodating changes of register with enthusiasm and great pleasure. Please join us again for a Special Playing Day on 8th March, at Manordeilo when Moira Usher will be our Visiting Conductor. Music list for 9 February 3 Instrumental pieces from Durham Cathedral Library 6-part EML 136
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Visit by SRP Conductor SRP Wales enjoyed an excellent day of playing on 24th November when Caroline Jones, performer and tutor, came to our Manordeilo venue. Caroline inspired us to tackle both early and modern compositions in a wide range of styles, including Martin Peerson’s lovely Fantazia à 6, Schein’s complex Canzon à 6 and Arvo Pärt’s Arbos. The latter was new to us as recorder players, and very atmospheric. Music list for 24 November
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Some Sort of Magic
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There are many different sorts of magic claimed by people; they are to be witnessed or half observed or even personally experienced. For those sceptics who are looking for tricks, there will be no moment of revelation but there is always the chance that they might find a magic of their own. Last weekend, some dozen or so 'strangers' travelled from different parts of east and west Wales to Sennybridge, where they gathered at the local community hall. The common factor was that they were all participants in the third meeting of the Welsh Society of Recorder Players. Each one brought their own instrument, or more, and a music stand.We came from Cardiff U3A where we play and learn in a small group at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. No one knew what music we were going to play, except the organisers and committee which has been only recently and valiantly re- formed by Moira Hay (Lampeter) and her colleagues. Wales SRP suffered a decline in membership for some years, but now is emerging again. Some newcomers like us were uncertain of their own ability and others looked confident. Neverthless, everyone was greeted warmly and there was no sense of personal competition. The music was distributed and the day began as each player became involved in reading and interpreting the part they were playing. There were some challenging pieces by Gabrieli, JS Bach, as well as Mozart, and for a treat we played Summertime by Gershwin. Gradually from a disparate collection of individuals the players evolved together and what was separate became joined as the music was played, thanks to the skill of the conductors Delyth Holland and Chris Thomas who alternated in leading and encouraging us. By lunchtime the group was conversing freely and exchanging experiences. They had been alone but now they were together; mutually helpful, supportive, appreciative and welcoming. This was indeed magic and at the end of the day we left with a warm glow of optimism and gratitude for a glimpse into that wonderful world where musical activity and creativity are common bonds. Thanks to all the organisers of our new Welsh SRP. Stella Lightman
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Music list for 13 October
Some of these items may no longer be in print: J.S. Bach: Christ lag in todes banden (Hawthorns Music 1997)
As you know, music can be purchased from Saunders in Bristol, Brian Jordan in Cambridge, The Oriel Library or Recorder Music Mail. If you're lucky enough to be going to the Early Music Exhibition in Greenwich, (9-11th November), there's always a huge stock of music there as well. The publishers all have websites to visit if you want to find out more. Thanks very much to Stella for her lovely letter. I certainly enjoyed the playing, and hope everyone else did as well. Patricia
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Second Playday:
16 June 2007 These notes are a record of what we have played, and also for those who couldn't attend his time. One day we'll find a date when we can all attend, but given our busy lives, don't hold your breath! However, there were twelve of us - plenty for some two-choir pieces. Pam brought music ranging from William Byrd to Glenn Miller, and persuaded us by various means - enthusiasm, cajolery and threats ("no coffee till you get this right!" ) - to improve our performance significantly over the day. Ah, the value of a good conductor! The pieces were: Pierre Passereau : Il est bel et bon- a French folk song
And for two choirs - - -
Bonelli: Toccata Cleopatra
We finished the day appropriately with some beautiful Welsh tunes arranged by Alyson Lewin: 'Over the Stone', 'Hunting the hare' and 'Shepherding the White Wheat'. Pam said that our forté was getting into the rhythm of the modern pieces. The variety of music, however, together with Pam's excellent conducting, ensured that we all had another happy and rewarding day playing our recorders. |
16fed Mehefin 2007 Mae'r nodiadau hyn yn gofnod o beth chwaraewyd, a hefyd ar gyfer y rheiny na allent fod yn bresennol y tro hwn. Daw'r dydd pan fyddwn yn gallu trefnu dyddiad cyfleus i bawb - ond peidiwch â dal eich gwynt! Ta beth, roedd deuddeg ohonom - digon i chwarae darnau ar gyfer dau gôr. Daeth Pam â rhychwant o gerddoriaeth o William Byrd i Glenn Miller a'n perswadio trwy wahanol ffyrdd - brwdfrydedd, gweniaith a bygythiadau ("dim coffi tan bod popeth yn gywir") - i wella yn aruthrol safon ein performiad yn ystod y dydd. Dyna werth arweinydd da! Dyma'r darnau:
Pierre Passereau: Il est bel et bon (cân werin Ffrangeg)
Darnau ar gyfer dau gôr oedd ---
Bonelli: Toccata Cleopatra
Daeth y diwrnod i'w derfyn yn addas iawn gyda rhai alawon Cymreig hardd wedi'u haddasu gan Alyson Lewin: 'Tros y garreg', 'Hela'r sgwarnog' a 'Bugeilio'r gwenith gwyn'. Dywedodd Pam mai ein cryfder ni oedd y gallu i afael yn rhythm y darnau modern. Ond amrywiaeth y gerddoriaeth ynghyd ag arweiniad gwych Pam a sicrhaodd i ni gael diwrnod hapus a buddiol arall o chwarae ein miwsig. |