Dear All
I hope you have had a relaxing weekend and are looking forward to a day off today!
This week we are springing back into action with our Sinfonia concert less than two weeks away on May 3rd at St Paul's (flyer/ticket link below) and BSO in our final few weeks before the Corn Exchange concert on 24th May!
I played in a similar local orchestra to BSO/Sinfonia when I lived in France and as I was thinking about all the concerts we have coming up this next month and I was reminded of something that happened to me.
During one concert, we had an amazing solo violinist, Pascal Monlong, leader of a professional orchestra in Luxembourg, who played Beethoven's violin concerto magnificently with us in the first half. After the interval, I went back onto the stage for the second half and found my place at the back of the first violins, where I was sitting on my own. Quite happily, by the way!
Suddenly, behind me I heard, "Bonjour, Ann!" and I turned to see Pascal with his violin, a big smile - and a chair! I tried to look delighted as he sat down next to me, as the inside player, thinking that this was going to be very embarrassing!
Of course, you know the end of the story...
We've all been there when we're sat next to someone even a bit more confident than us: we play so much better as their magic spreads. I loved that second half sitting next to Pascal. I've never played better! And the cherry on the cake? He said he enjoyed sitting next to me. Made not only my day, but my year!
We are so lucky that we have a lot of "Pascals" throughout the BOS community who create this ripple effect of confidence and raise the level of us all. And not just our pros! I had the pleasure of sitting next to some of our younger players in BSO Sectionals a few weeks ago, and they had the Pascal magic in bucket loads!
As rehearsals start again this week, I'd like to thank all of you who create a positive ripple in our community. It might be through your playing, but it might be your contribution to the organising of our rehearsals/concerts/events, selling lots of tickets, liking my posts on social media (!), putting the chairs out, making the tea, looking after our younger players or making people feel welcome....
Thank you!
A special note for Sinfonia: this week is very important with two rehearsals!
Sinfonia Section Leaders: please remind your Section that rehearsals start tomorrow (Tuesday), just in case they don't receive or open this email. Let's make the most of our time with Ian. Thanks so much!
See below for all the info... I look forward to seeing you this week.
With best wishes
Ann
PS To reply to me, just hit reply!
BSO Rehearsal Information:
Date: 23rd April
Time: 7.30-9.30pm (Bring your own cup for tea/coffee break)
Location: Bedford Greenacre School, Manton Lane
Repetoire: tbc
Sinfonia Rehearsal Information for May 3rd Concert at St Paul's:
Dates: April 22/24/29
Time: 7.30pm
Location: Castle Newnham School North Site
Repetoire and rehearsal schedule:
Tuesday 22 VW and Arnold
Thursday 24 Holst, Delius, Arnold
Tuesday 29 VW, Holst
Saturday 3 May VW, break, Holst, Arnold,Delius
Check out the Membership pages on our website for other useful info:
Password: bsomember
What's ON in May/June:
Bedford Sinfonia concert on May 3rd with Paul Harris as clarinet soloist playing the fabulously jazzy Malcolm Arnold Clarinet Concerto no. 2.
There is a pre-concert talk at 6.30-7pm - all performers and audience are invited and very welcome. Paul is a very entertaining speaker as well as a great performer, teacher, composer, conductor, author, festival organiser. Do come along and bring your concert guests!
Ian and Paul joined me on a podcast episode a couple of weeks ago.
To tune in:
BSO perform on May 24th with Jakob Kullberg, an internationally renowned cellist, playing Shostakovich and with Bjorn Bantock conducting.
Bedford Sinfonia perform with Bedford Choral Society on June 21st and the Rotary Young Musician's Concerto Masterclass on June 22nd with members of Sinfonia.
Summertime: Our Out and About Series with concerts in July.
For more info and to book tickets for all of our concerts:
We've made buying tickets easier than ever before with our ticketsource link. Try it out on our 24th May concert and let us know how you get on with it.
Looking for free Under 18s tickets to our upcoming concerts? Go to the event and you will find the link near the booking tickets link. Did you know that these tickets have "sold out" well in advance of recent concerts?
With best wishes
Ann Collins
Interim Chair
On behalf of all the Committee
Bedfordshire Orchestral Society
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"A jewell in the crown of Bedford. We're so lucky to have such great musicians!"
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