May 2009

 

Welcome to our first newsletter!

 

A New Look

Since the first concert in 2006 the Charity Symphony Orchestra has grown and developed considerably.

 

The orchestra has adopted a new cutting style with a new enhanced logo, eye-catching posters and a new upgraded website. For these improvements we’d like to offer our personal thanks and gratitude to Mark Carey and Dominic Harries whose hard work and patience have helped change the look of the orchestra.

 

Alex Pope and Craig Lawton

Orchestral Manager & Principal Conductor

 

Honest Music Making

This is a phrase I have used recently to describe the music we aspire to make. We are a charity orchestra, our goal to raise money for worthwhile causes, and we achieve this through the generosity of the players who give their time and skills freely. When we come together I feel it is as equals, and united through our love of music and willingness to charities trying to make a difference.

To conduct a group of people  like that is humbling and honest music making.

 

Craig Lawton

Finding our place

After experimenting with dates and rehearsal times throughout the year, we think we have come up with a structure of times throughout the year where we can perform concerts without clashing with other orchestras – obviously this is not always possible, but we certainly try our best!

 

The Charity Symphony Orchestra’s season runs from November to August and you can generally expect to find concerts in: November, January, Spring (Mar-May) and Summer (Jun-Aug).

 

We have found that the most effective way of rehearsing for a concert is to bring it all together in one day. The thinking behind this is that it is less commitment time for players who are generally booked up for rehearsals throughout the year, and it also does not take up a whole weekend. If we undertake a challenging programme there may be additional rehearsals.

 

Rounding off 2008 – 2009

The 08/09 season finishes on the 1^st August at Christ Church Freemantle with what looks to be an exciting concert. In a slight change from the norm the orchestra will be formed of just wind and brass and will be joined by two newly formed ensembles; Supersonic percussion group and a horn orchestra led by Dominic Harries. More details will follow online!

 

Looking ahead: 2009 – 2010 Season

In our first concert on next season, we welcome a guest conductor who is no stranger to Southampton or its music making; Mr. Keith Smith. Keith was Conductor of the Southampton Youth Orchestra for over 20 years and in November will conduct the Charity Symphony Orchestra as we raise money for the Kate Stokes Memorial Trust; Kate an ex-member of SYO who died whilst abroad in 2006.

 

We begin January with the second instalment of what hopefully will become an annual event, the New Year Bonanza!

 

Schumann 2010

In an ambitious undertaking led by Craig Lawton, the orchestra will celebrate the bicentenary of Schumann’s birth by recording the complete symphonies of the composer to raise money for the Mental Health charity MIND. A detailed look at this project will follow in the next edition.

 

Change of details?

If you change your details, or have a better way for us to keep in contact with you about concerts, please let us know! Email: chairman@charityso.org.uk or call 0781 305 261. Our website is constantly updated and has a page for players with information on upcoming concerts and events. Find us on Facebook too.