News for members

All music centre groups

Here are the details you need for an exciting summer term's music-making!

• The senior classical guitar ensemble rehearsals start at Park School on Wednesday starting on 21st April.
• The String Training Orchestra, Intermediate Strings, Brass Ensemble, Training Wind Band, Junior Classical Guitar Ensemble and Youth Orchestra (comprising Concert Strings, North Devon Strings, Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir and senior Brass Ensemble members) start rehearsals on 28th April.
• The concert for guitars will be at Kingsley School, Bideford on 10th July at 7pm, and the concert for strings and orchestra will be at Kingsley School, Bideford on 11th July at 3pm.
• North Devon Strings will rehearse on the 26th June, 3rd and 10th July, all 9.30am - 12.30pm at Fremington Parish Church; concert at Kingsley on 11th July.
• Normal membership fees of £28 apply for the term.
• Autumn term for music centre starts on 8th September 2010.

We look forward to seeing you.

Alicia Stolliday (music centre leader)

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Newsletter March 2010

Dear members, parents, directors and friends,

Newsletters keep you in touch with news and events at music centre. Please read carefully, so you know what is happening.

Concert

This term's concert is on Wednesday 24th March at the Queens Theatre, Barnstaple at 7pm. The last Park School rehearsal before this concert will be on Tuesday 23rd March. I hope you agree that the experience of performing in a professional theatre is worthwhile. Tickets are now available from the box office, 01271 324242.

Rehearsal on 24th March

Attendance at the rehearsal is essential. Students will be supervised by chaperones backstage. Access to the backstage area is restricted to students and chaperones only. Please arrive at the theatre 15 minutes before your rehearsal time. Registers will be taken by chaperones on arrival at the stage door, as you leave after the rehearsal, and when you arrive for the concert. No food is to be taken into the dressing rooms, which must be kept clean and tidy at all times. Musical instruments may be left in dressing rooms, but remain the responsibility of the student. After the rehearsal parents are responsible for their children.

Rehearsal Schedule

Please stack chairs and move stands to the wings by 6.10 pm.

Concert Schedule

All performers should return to the theatre before 6.45 pm. If you are playing in the first half of the concert (String Training orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Training Wind Band, Junior Classical Guitar Ensemble, Senior Flute Choir, Barnstaple Learning Community Group) please go straight to your dressing room where the chaperones will direct you to the auditorium when it is time for your performance. If you are playing in the second half (Intermediate strings, Concert Strings, Senior Classical Guitar ensemble, Clarinet Choir, North Devon Strings, Senior Wind Band) leave your instruments in the dressing room, then take your seats in the first 3 rows of the stalls (rows A - C). Return to your dressing room during the interval, with your chaperone.

Chaperones

We will need adults with CRB checks to act as chaperones at the Queens Theatre concert to make sure that our members are supervised. Please let Mary Wills (01237 431163) know if you would be willing to be a chaperone.

Instrument Exchange Scheme

The instrument Exchange Scheme provides an opportunity to sell or exchange instruments, particularly as children grow out of small instruments. We are in need of three-quarter size violins. Contact Mary Wills on 01237 431163.

From Kate Hampton: I have two violins for sale: a quarter size Andrew Zeller (Stentor Music Co. Ltd) with case for £75 and a half size one in a green case for £50, both in good condition. I also have a flute; it is FISM Rampone & Gazzani Milano model, it is old but is fine, in a case for £50. My daughter attends the strings on a Wednesday 5 - 6 so I can bring them along then if anyone is interested, or can be contacted on 01271 322004. Kate Hampton.

Alicia Stolliday

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Newsletter November 2009

Dear members, parents, directors and friends,

Newsletters keep you in touch with news and events at music centre. Please read carefully, so you know what is happening.

Kingsley (Edgehill) School Theatre Concert Sunday 22nd November, 3pm

Tickets are now available at music centre, £5 and £2.50 (children and grandparents!).

Rehearsals

All music centre groups are included at this concert. Attendance at the rehearsal is essential. Please arrive at the theatre 15 minutes before your rehearsal time. Registers will be taken by chaperones on arrival, as you leave after the rehearsal, and when you arrive for the concert. No food is to be taken into the dressing rooms, which must be kept clean and tidy at all times.

Rehearsal Schedule

Please stack chairs and move stands to the wings by 2.25 pm.

Musical instruments may be left in dressing rooms, but remain the responsibility of the student.

Concert Schedule

All performers should return to the theatre by 2.45 pm. If you are playing in the first half of the concert (String Training orchestra, Brass Ensemble, Training Wind Band, Junior Classical Guitar Ensemble, Senior Flute Choir, Senior Clarinet Choir) go straight to your dressing room where the chaperones will direct you to the auditorium when it is time for your performance.

If you are playing in the second half (Intermediate strings, Concert Strings, Senior Classical Guitar ensemble, North Devon Strings, Senior Wind Band) please take a seat in the auditorium.

Concert Dress - Smart black and white, please.

North Devon Strings

will be giving a special Carols by Candlelight concert at Fremington Church on Monday, 21st December at 7.00pm.

Music centre starts next term on Wednesday January 13th.

Happy music-making!
Alicia Stolliday

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Newsletter October 2009

Dear members, parents, directors and friends,

Newsletters keep you in touch with news and events at music centre. Please read carefully, so you know what is happening. Welcome to all new members, and welcome back to current members - it's good to see you again.

• This term's concert is on Sunday 22nd November at Kingsley School Theatre at 3pm. We have decided to try a Sunday afternoon concert as so many younger children take part in and support our concerts. The November newsletter will have full details of rehearsals.
• The music centre AGM was held on 30th September. Mary Wills, our treasurer and membership secretary, will sadly be resigning at the end of this academic year. We have discussed dividing the role between 2 people. We also need someone to act as minutes secretary, taking notes at meetings. Do you, or someone you know, have the skills and interest to consider one of these roles? I would love to hear from you, even if it's just to ask what's involved. The roles are vital for the smooth running of the music centre, which continues to support our young members.
• Newsletters are always available on the website www.devonmusiccentres.org.uk, but please check latest information for any changes. I am considering sending newsletters by email - any comments please?
• The instrument Exchange Scheme provides an opportunity to sell or exchange instruments, particularly as children grow out of small instruments. We are in need of three-quarter size violins. Contact Mary Wills on 01237 431139.
• The Queens Theatre have offered us a date in March for our concert, so we have decided to change the date to 24th March 2010 (Wednesday), the time to 7pm, and the venue to the Queens Theatre. The last rehearsal before this concert will be on Tuesday 23rd March. I hope you agree that the experience of performing in a professional theatre is worthwhile.
• North Devon Strings will be giving a Carols by Candlelight concert at Fremington Church on Monday, 21st December at 7pm. Tickets will be £5 and £2.50. Proceeds to be shared by the music centre and Fremington Parish Church.

Alicia Stolliday (music centre leader)

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