Dear All,
It was lovely to hear the start of last week’s BSO rehearsal - I’m only sorry I couldn’t stay longer. If that was anything to go by, the next concert should be at least as good as the last one!
It’s WONDERFUL to have full brass at most of the rehearsals, and great that Bjorn rearranged the rehearsal so that they were not sitting around, waiting to play. However, every silver lining has a cloud, and I have been made aware that some people are uncomfortable with the sound levels. As an oboist, having sat in front of trumpet players for many years, I do understand this. My approach has been to equip myself with ear protection and use it as necessary. The committee has discussed the purchase of acoustic screens but the feeling is that these are not necessarily effective and may, in fact, mask the problem. Please may I encourage you to look after your own hearing? If it is necessary to make changes to the layout of the orchestra (eg moving the timps to the other side of the hall so the brass can move further back) this can be facilitated. It will mean players working together to achieve the best outcome for everyone. I am happy to help with this on Wednesday so please let me know if you have any concerns.
By now, all members of BSO should all have received an email requesting feedback on the last BSO concert and the rehearsals running up to it. Please do complete this. It’s your orchestra and the committee needs to understand your thoughts.
Finally, I look forward to meeting as many members of BS who can make it to an online meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 16th December. Our treasurer has provided further details in this newsletter.
Karen x
Karen Mason
Chair
BSO Information:
Rehearsals: BGI 7.30
Please note that the final reherarsal for this term is Dec 10th, which is a Sectional Rehearsal (at BGI).
Message from Bjorn:
Next week we will rehearse: Brahms 1st Mvt, Ruslan Overture, Break, Brahms last, Brahms 2nd
Sinfonia Information:
Sinfonia Financing meeting 16 December 2025 7pm via Zoom – open to all members
As you know the Committee has (for many years) been trying to find a way for Sinfonia players to become members of Bedfordshire Orchestral Society and to find a way to finance Sinfonia which doesn’t rely so heavily on subsidy by BSO membership subscriptions. The Committee has looked at several different permutations but has concluded that the following may be the fairest:-
Key points:
· To establish the identity of Sinfonia as a “classical sized” orchestra
· The orchestra for the Choral Society is financed by the fee paid by BCS to BOS
· BSO players pay £165 per annum or approximately £5 per rehearsal
· For fairness it is proposed that all Sinfonia players pay the equivalent of £5 per rehearsal ie £25 per concert
o This would be for all Sinfonia players for Sinfonia concerts. (There would be no fee to play in BCS concerts)
o For fairness, people who play in BSO would also pay £25 per concert to play in Sinfonia
· Players who plan to play in all three concerts in the season would pay £75 at the start of the season, those who are not needed for all three concerts would pay for the concerts they are asked to play in.
· There will be no change to the present arrangements in the 25-26 season, and the above proposals will begin in September 2026.
We will hold a meeting via Zoom at 7pm on Tuesday 16th December (link to be sent out nearer the time). This will be with Ian Smith, Karen Mason as Chair, Ann Collins as past Chair and present publicity, myself as Treasurer and other members of the Committee, for you to bring your thoughts, comments and concerns.
We need to have reached a conclusion about how Sinfonia concerts can be financed by the end of January 2026 so that we can plan realistically for the 26-27 season.
If you have any comments or questions about the above please email Karen at [email protected] and me at [email protected]
We hope that as many Sinfonia players as possible will attend so that we can address concerns and share our thinking as fully as possible.
Message from Ian:
Many thanks to all of you who played for Bedford Choral Society last Saturday. The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performance, Cecilia was delighted and your playing was superb - thank you.
Just a reminder, the music for January’s concert is available from Ben Phillips.
Ian
Message from Ann for Publicity:
It’s never too early to sell a ticket!
This is going to be a fabulous Sinfonia concert with music from female composers and we’ll be in a warm church! We're looking at ways to ensure easy parking for you and your guests...
Tickets are limited, so do encourage your friends and family to book early.
SPOILER ALERT: Just to give you a little taster, here is a YouTube video plus score of one of my favourite pieces on the programme: Amy Beach Gaelic Symphony - CHECK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a90JHU2saSU&list=RDa90JHU2saSU&start_radio=1
Let me know which is your favourite and why and I might share it on social media…
Best wishes
Ann
PS to reply to me: [email protected]
From our friends:
Don’t forget you can access a promotion code off the Philharmonia concert tonight: XMASSBRASS
To use the code, you need to add it and you won’t see the reduction until you get to the final step of paying, so keep going! If you prefer, you can always call the Philharmonia box office directly and quote the code.
It’s back!!! Bedford Charity Concert for Emmaus Village Carlton with Chris Ridley conducting the Great Ouse Orchestra and Choir
Save the date: Saturday 7th Feb, Bedford Charity Concert at St Andrew’s Church
A number of our members are involved in both playing and singing in this.
It always proves to be a fabulous evening with great music and over the last 12 years, thousands have been raised for local homeless charities.
The NBYCO (North Beds Youth Chamber Orchestra) are also performing this time with Jan Kaznowski conducting. A great addition to the line up!
Tickets are limited and sell out and they have just gone online, so grab them quick!
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/casa-bedford/bedford-charity-concert/e-ervgjv
BTW I know that Chris needs a few more tenors - if that’s you and you'd like to sing, do get in touch with him: [email protected]
One of the songs is about being in a sauner!!! Not to be missed....
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