| ISLEWORTH BAROQUE IS A REGISTERED CHARITY
NO1127803. See our Constitution |
AGM and Members Concert 24th Jan 2010
The Drayton Court Hotel 2 The Avenue West Ealing.W13 8PH
Very many thanks to Judith Nicol who organised another great concert this year. We all had a great time.
The AGM was held before the concert. Two of the trustees stood down this year - Caroline Slater (secretary) and Bernard Stevenson (publicity officer). Two new trustees were elected - Simon Pike and Sylvia Bisset.
See Minutes of AGM
Please note, Simon Pike was subsequently appointed as Secretary to Isleworth Baroque
A
double CD of the Autumn 09 production
Here is an ideal memento of the thoroughly enjoyable
Autumn 09 production of Acteon and A Secular Masque.
A professional-standard audio recording was made of
Friday night's performance and has been made into a
double CD - you can purchase a copy for the price of
just £10.00.
Please email Laurence (laurence@isleworthbaroque.co.uk)
to order your copy now!
Post-production
review of the Acteon and Secular Masque Autumn 09
We held a post-production
review on Sunday 8th November 2009,
starting at 6pm. The venue for the
review was
Gunnersbury Triangle Sports and Social
Club
Triangle Way
Rear of Princes Avenue
Acton, W3 8LN.
Isleworth Baroque
Post Production Meeting for ’Acteon’ and
‘Secular Masque’.
Minutes of meeting (thanks
to Alison Sands) are as follows:
Present: Laurence Slater, Chris Hobson, Sally Pinney,
Eileen Cairns, Alison Sands, Sylvia Bissett, Tony Wilson,
Rosalind O’Dowd, Margaret Berger, Bernard Stevens,
Janet Oates.
Laurence, as Chairman,
welcomed those present and opened the meeting.
Apologies: were received
from Ian Cutts, David Rhodes, Philip Johnson, Fleur
Hatherall(?), Judith Nichol, Jacqui Silverstone, Helena
Brown, Simon Pyke, Steve(?), Tom Beaton and Caroline
Slater.
Alison took the minutes,
Caroline being indisposed.
Laurence conducted a
review of the double bill of ‘Acteon’ and
‘A Secular Masque’ which were performed
by Isleworth Baroque at Isleworth Public Hall on October
14th to 16th 2009. The review was done under a series
of headings as follows:
Choice of pieces.
It was the first time
IB had sung in French. Sally said there was a lot to
learn. Janet said the French came across well, because
the diction was good. Rosalind said the Acteon was in
a difficult register for the voice, also the choruses
were difficult and the harmonies unexpected. For the
sopranos the choruses were very high and hard to learn.
Reasons given for this were modern pitch and (in the
case of the Boyce) rewriting of the parts.
Bernard passed on a
comment from Philip that it would be helpful to have
the meaning of individual choruses explained notwithstanding
the historical perspective given at the outset by Laurence
in relation to the Boyce.
Sylvia said it had been
a lot of work to learn both works together. Laurence
agreed the Boyce had more choruses than is usually the
case. Eileen said she felt daunted when it came to the
staging.
Rehearsal period.
Many people had commented
that the rehearsal period had started too late, in July.
Janet said that in the past this had been due to Helena’s
commitments but due to the new ‘modus operandi’
the rehearsal period could be advanced in the year.
Chris had wanted earlier
rehearsals for the orchestra but that the orchestra
had proved resistant to turning up to those rehearsals
scheduled! It was suggested that in future a session
should be devoted to looking through the score for continuity
and cues. Tony said that this year it had helped to
have a very clear conductor in Lesley (Lewis?) who nodded
at the orchestra to bring them in at the right place.
Bernard said that some
members of the orchestra don’t want to commit
to every rehearsal but that if orchestral rehearsals
were fixed earlier more would attend and would welcome
these.
Laurence said that earlier
rehearsals should apply to both orchestra and singers.
Eileen would have appreciated
more rehearsal with the orchestra.
Rosalind said that another
of her music groups had much more time to learn the
parts, from November to performance in May.
Laurence suggested our
lead in should be early summer term rather than July
for performance in October.
Other rehearsal
matters.
Caroline’s idea
was passed on for formal rehearsals initially, followed
by informal rehearsals to practise then formal rehearsals
again leading up to performance.
The MP3 files on the
website were very useful it was agreed but will not
be available again unless the music is out of copyright.
Eileen suggested that
a similar sort of recording but with all parts simultaneously
and continuously would be useful. It was pointed out
that there were full and complete recording available
via the website. This lead to a discussion about the
Sibelius system and it was concluded that if anything
similar could be done in future it would be looked into.
The Sunday rehearsals
were generally felt to be more productive, useful and
better attended. The Quakers rehearsals were not so
good for the orchestra and directing.
It was felt that Lesley’s
efforts had improved the quality and pulled the whole
thing together. Helena had previously filled the role
of conductor from the keyboard but had had too much
to do. It was also thanks to Lesley that the Roehampton
rehearsal venue was booked free of charge.
Sally said that it had
perhaps not been made clear to new singers that the
scores were for rehearsals only, because someone had
asked if they could be used at the performance. Rosalind
suggested a ‘welcome’ pack for new performers
would help.
It was acknowledged
that the website is a very good method of communication
amongst members although people need to check it regularly
for updated information.
Performances.
Isleworth Public Hall
was used for all three evenings’ performances,
as opposed to last year’s production which was
at three different venues. It was agreed that one venue
rather than three is preferable. The criticisms of IPH
were that the stage was useless, and performing in the
round at seat level meant that people in the rear rows
had a poor view, as did those at the short side of the
L shaped seating arrangement. Also that the maximum
number of seats was set at one hundred and people had
to be turned away on the Friday night.
Simon had felt that
more rehearsals were needed in whichever venue was used
at the next production. This lead to a general discussion
about possible future venues.
It was accepted that
IPH has limitations but new venues should be considered.
However, all those proposed had at least one drawback
such as lack of orchestra space (Hampton Hill), no parking
space (Paul Robeson), nowhere for instruments and cases
(Musical Museum), no changing facilities(Chiswick Town
Hall) or simply cost and location.
Sylvia suggested a fourth
evening performance but this was tried one year previously
and was not a success due to it being a Saturday night
and not so popular with audiences, yet more expensive
for hiring. Also four nights plus two rehearsal nights
is exhausting.
One of the reasons for
the lack of space in the auditorium is the increasing
size of the orchestra, which has grown continuously
but which is an important point of interest for audiences.
Laurence said there would not be any restrictions placed
on the size of the orchestra.
A recording had been
made of the Friday night performance by Michael Turner
of the Twickenham Choral Society and CD’s had
been produced for sale at £10 each.
Amateur directors.
It had not been possible
to hire professional directors so Laurence and Simon
had taken on these roles as amateurs. Laurence said
that with hindsight he would have ‘soloist only’
rehearsals. Also, he found it very frustrating trying
to direct when singers were not able to sing without
scores.
The acting and characterisation
was patchy, several people felt. Janet said that two
inexperienced directors had a hard job to do and that
professionals should be employed to lead the amateurs
as expressed in the ‘mission statement’
of the organisation.
Caroline suggested that
rehearsals could be structured so that people could
prepare a section in advance and learn beforehand.
The Bar.
Alison said that obtaining
a licence in order to sell wine had been problematic.
Communications with the managing body for IPH were poor
and it was not clear what form the licensing arrangements
were to take. Eventually after a series of email exchanges
and phone calls permission was obtained for Alison to
act as the licensee’s nominee. Ideally the terms
for selling alcohol at IPH should be agreed at the time
the booking of the facilities is made, and should specify
whether IB should obtain a Temporary Event Notice in
order to do this. This issue is being taken up by Tom
Beaton and the Friends of Isleworth Public Hall with
the managing body, Fusion Lifestyle.
Wine sales contributed
both to the enjoyment of the evening and to profitability.
Unfortunately, due to the success of Friday night’s
ticket sales and performance, the bar ran out of wine
before the end of the interval.
Dancers and
dancing.
The children were popular
and Matt the baroque dancer was appreciated. Rosalind
said she would have liked to have participated but there
was not enough rehearsal time to practise the dancing
movements.
It was pointed out that
we should by law provide private space for children
to get changed in. The adult ladies would welcome this
also.
Accounts.
Chris presented the
Financial Report for the production which showed that
an overall loss of £892 had been made. The reasons
for this were discussed. Possible explanations were:
the concessionary ticket price being too low, given
that the majority of the audience were concessions,
fewer singers participating, and an increase in professional
fees. The grants received had helped to cover the costs,
the applications for which Janet had spent a lot of
time on.
Chris said the theorbo
fees had varied a lot over successive seasons, that
the music copying costs had been absorbed in the Acteon
study day accounts, and that the flyers and the advert
in ‘Opera’ magazine had been a larger cost
than in previous years. Whether or not the latter two
items were effective expenses or not was debated but
it was hard to say without market research. The general
feeling was that these were worthwhile methods of publicity.
Laurence said that the
lighting technician was very helpful and had worked
very hard.
Rosalind suggested IB
should encourage more participants by targeting music
colleges and courses although Janet pointed out that
this might result in IB’s regular soloists losing
out to younger rising stars.
Laurence returned to
the issue of obtaining a professional director; he had
written to 15 places without success.
Costumes
.
Margaret said that the
costumes looked very good. The sashes had caused some
problems for the huntresses/nymphs.
Thanks.
Sally proposed a vote
of thanks to all the members of the Committee for all
their hard work.
Laurence then
closed the meeting.
Post-production
review of the Handel concerts.
6:00 pm on Sunday 19 April 2009
The Gunnersbury Sports and Social Club
Triangle Way
Acton W3 8LN
There was a general feeling that the Handel concerts
were a great success. However they were something of
a departure for Isleworth Baroque - we haven't done
that sort of thing before. Thanks to those of you who
provided some very helpful feedback by email in advance
of the meeting.
Some of the main points
that came out at the meeting are as follows:
Faure
Requiem
8:00 pm on Thursday 7th May
2009 at Holy Angels Church, High Street, Cranford
Some of our members, - and most of our orchestra, are
joining the Norwood Green Singers for their performance
of Faure"s Requiem at Holy Angels Church, High
Street, Cranford, Middx on Thursday May 7th at 8.p.m.
Helena needs a couple more string players. The full
rehearsal is at the same church, at 7.p.m. on Thursday
23rd April (i.e. 2 weeks before the concert date, and
there will be a choral rehearsal on the 30th, too.)
Helena would be so pleased if anyone interested would
contact
her ....or just go along.
Annual
Members Concert
7:00 pm on Sunday 25 January 2009 at
The Drayton Court 2, The Avenue, West Ealing, London,
W13 8PH
Wow - what a great evening we had. Lots of good singing,
recitations, solo and ensemble instrumental pieces -
from Mozart to Gilbert and Sullivan, from Monteverdi
to Albert and the Lion!! We even had some originally-composed
pieces - this was their first public performance. Thanks
to everyone who participated and who came along to support
- it made for a really good time. We thought the venue
was great as well - let
us know what you thought.
Just to let you know, the AGM that took place prior
to the concert approved the rewording of the objects
of the group so we will be pushing ahead with the application
for Charitable Status with the Charity Commission.
Minutes
of AGM - Revised
Constitution
Post
Production Meeting for Indian Queen
7:00 pm on Sunday 16 November
2008, Gunnersbury Triangle Sports and Social
Club
Agenda
1. Welcome, introductions and prize-giving (!)
2 The Indian Queen reports and discussion
2.1 Organisation (General Organisation; Location; Refreshments;
Publicity)
2.2 Performances (Music; Staging; Rehearsals)
2.3 Finance (Box Office; Grants; The Final Reckoning)
3. Future productions and events - general discussion
4. Any Other Business
See links below for short reports
and for notes of the key points from the meeting:
Production
Report - Bar
Report - Publicity
Report - Key
points from meeting
Extraordinary
General Meeting - 27th September 2008 at 5:30pm in The
Quakers after the rehearsal
All members were invited to an Extraordinary
General Meeting on 27th September at 5:30 pm to agree
the new constitution and elect Trustees.
The members that were elected as trustees
are as follows (roles required by charity commission
in brackets) :
Laurence Slater (Chairman)
Caroline Slater (Secretary)
Chris Hobson (Treasurer)
Bernard Stevenson
Philip Johnson
Tom Beaton
Helena Brown and Janet Oates will
still be very much involved in Isleworth Baroque as
Musical Director and Assistant Musical Director but
are not able to stand as trustees as they will - from
time to time - be paid professional fees for their work
with the group.
Extraordinary
General Meeting - 8th July 2008
We held an Extraordinary General meeting
on Tuesday 8th July to decide whether to apply for Charitable
Status. The vote was unanimously in favour. We will
therefore be pursuing this and will need to call another
EGM to vote for trustees.
Twickenham
Festival 2008
We performed
a rolling programme in the function room above The
Fox, Church Street, Twickenham, on 21st June
2008, much as we did last year: a programme of Baroque
music for 45 minutes at 2 o'clock, repeated at 3 and
4 o'clock.
Thanks to Janet for organising and
driving this through - it was great fun, although a
bit exhausting!
IB
Quiz no 1
1. In Blow’s Venus
and Adonis, how is Adonis killed?
2. In which city did the Camerata meet, developing ideas
about monody and stile recitativo?
3. What do these opera characters have in common: Vespone,
Pu-Tin-Pao, Dr Crabbe?
4. The Siege of Rhodes is considered by some to be the
first English opera, staged by William d’Avenant
in which year?
5. Who would be given a warm bath before having their
jugular veins pressed until they fell into a faint?
6. Where was Cavalli born?
7. What are scattered on Dido’s tomb?
8. What instrument is St. Cecilia reputed to have invented?
9. The Concerto di Donne was the rather scandalous musical
secret of whom?
10. Berlioz, Busoni, Dusapin, Gounod and Boito all wrote
operas about which legend?
Enter the quiz
now - only £3 - and you have a chance of winning
a CD of Purcell's The Indian Queen.
Closing date for entries - extended till
the end of June
For entry form,
click
here
Sad
News
Tom Beaton wrote...
"If you have not already heard you will feel as
shocked as I was to learn about Cindy's recent death.
For those of you who didn't know her she was very active
with Stopgap Theatre over several years and Isleworth
Baroque talked her into taking on the production role
for us when we put on King Arthur in 2005. She did it
again for Dido and Bastien & Bastienne in 2006,
and we had hoped that she would carry on with us for
many years, but when Robert got a new job in Oxford
they moved there.
Robert will be known to some of you who didn't know
Cindy because he sang bass in Helena's Tuesday class
for a few years."
In the May newsletter, Tom gave an
update:
"When I sent out an email to tell IB supporters
that Cindy had died I had an immense response. Tom Brooks
our stage manager wrote back saying "I am saddened
to hear this news. It was great fun to work with Cindy,
who got things done in her own inimitable style. She
always added a bit of class to whatever environment
she found herself in, almost a regal quality and way
of carrying herself. I treasure the memory of Cindy
in Fawlty Towers at Isleworth Public Hall, she was a
talented actress."
Chris Hobson noted, "It is a tribute to her that,
since she and Robert left London, we have struggled
to replace her. Absence has made us realise how much
she contributed to Isleworth Baroque"
Eight of us sang the final Dido and Aeneas chorus, With
drooping wings ye Cupids come, at Cindy's thanksgiving
service at St Michael's Sutton Court in Chiswick,
which was followed by a champagne reception in the church
hall."
Concert
at West Middlesex Hospital 5th April 2008
Saturday 5 April 2008 1:00 pm to 2:00
pm West Middlesex hospital main entrance hall/atrium.
This is the date that I said previously was provisional.
It has now been confirmed. We will perform for patients,
staff and visitors as they mill around or pass through.
The original idea was for the programme to be a shortened
version of the members' concert, but additional pieces
may be required if some people are not available (though
in the circumstances of the concert some repeats would
probably be acceptable). Tom is coordinating the programme.
Please help by getting in touch with him rather than
waiting for him to contact you, either to say you will
do your members' concert piece and/or to offer an extra.
(Tom 020-8568 3756). If you took part in the members'
concert but can't or don't want to do this one could
you let him know too, so that he knows where we are
sooner rather than later.
The
Creation by Haydn 24th April 2008
Thursday 24 April 2008 at 7:30 pm.
Holy Angels Church, High Street, Cranford Norwood Green
Singers perfomed parts of THE CREATION by Haydn, led
by our own Helena Brown with Lindsay Bridgwater . They
would like 2 or 3 more singers to augment
the choir, and are hoping that our orchestra would like
to join in, too. All music can be borrowed, for this.
Helena said, "If you don't know it, it is a wonderful
piece." Rehearse on 17th April,
so keep both those evenings free. Contact Helena.
Members
Concert: 2008
Catherine McManus organised a splendid
Members Concert in the Function Room of the Fox Pub
in Church St, Twickenham on Friday 15th Feb 2008.
Annual
General Meeting 2008
The AGM was on Sunday 27 January
- 8:00 pm at The Gunnersbury Triangle Club, Triangle
Way, rear of Princes Avenue, W3 8LN
Twickenham
Festival 2007
We raised over £100 singing
at the Twickenham Festival this year - see flyer below
for details.
Extraordinary
General Meeting
Sunday, 15th April 2007 at 7.00 pm
Friends Meeting House, Quakers Lane, Isleworth, TW7
5AU
Agenda.
1 Apologies for absence
2 Funding Isleworth Baroque's 2007 production of La
Calisto
3 Any other business
------------------------------------------------------------------
To all members,
This meeting has been called by the committee for the
membership to discuss funding of this year's opera which
we intend to stage in October 2007.
Last year it cost us £5,319 to put on Dido and
Bastien.. Income from participants was £1,305
with £4,014 coming from ticket and other sales
and our own reserves in the bank.
This year we have not yet managed to find any sponsorship
or grants. Previously we have generally raised sufficient
extra funds from grant giving bodies, and two years
ago the amount we raised was sufficient to provide a
reserve which carried us through last year as well.
But there is now insufficient cash in the bank to continue
with our plans for this year's opera unless we come
up with an alternative plan.
One suggestion is that members should seek 50 donors
of £100 each, perhaps offering tickets if required.
Any surplus after production costs could be refunded
to donors.
Other funding suggestions will be welcome at the meeting.
We want this year's production to go ahead, and we are
sure you do too, but we have to be satisfied that the
bills will eventually get paid. Please come along, buzzing
with ideas,and help to make sure that this year too,
'the show will go on'.
Call a committee member if you want to bounce an idea
around - whether you are coming to the meeting or not.
Helena Brown (chair) 020-8580 8429
Caroline Slater (vice-chair) 020-8943 5261
Alison Sands (secretary) 020-8992 3171
Chris Hobson (treasurer) 020-8948 0791
Cindy Belshaw (producer) 020-8994 2085
Tom Beaton (membership) 020-8568 3756
Annual
General Meeting - 28th Jan 07 8pm
