Rehearsal Dates
- 20 Jan 2008
- 17 Feb 2008
- 30 Mar 2008
- 20 Apr 2008
- 18 May 2008
- 15 Jun 2008
- 13 July 2008
The band has made significant progress during the year 2006/2007.
Firstly, we have an established membership which is stable and committed.
Secondly, we have settled into the new timings with a 1.30 pm start and finishing at 4.00 pm on one Sunday a month for 10 months of the year.
Thirdly we have a sound financial structure.
Bishop Grosseteste seems an ideal site for our meeting, although the cost of hiring the hall does mean that fees have to be fairly high.
We have successfully incorporated viols into the Band and although not necessarily played at every meeting, they have added a textural strength to the band, as has percussion, sackbut and cornett. The concept of widening the instruments is something that could be developed, subject to appropriate players and musical direction.
During 2006/2007, the band has had three playing afternoons with Jamie Savan and seven with Kathleen and Richard. Performances have included the Drill Hall Armouries Café on June 4th and Busking in the Bail on July 14th. We have tentatively been approached to play at Gainsborough Old Hall in the early part of 2008, to enhance an Art Exhibition by a visit(s) to play there sometime whilst the exhibition is on during the Winter of 2007/ 2008.
Slowly, we are getting known and there were considerably more people at the Busking event this year than last year. This process should be nurtured as we develop our repertoire and abilities.
This last year we have established a solid, if modest sized, repertoire and we have been successful with this. However, the playing ability is fairly mixed and we tend to lean considerably on the better players. We may concentrate on improving technique and playing ability in 2007/2008
Janet Bedford – Co-ordinator, July 2007
Welcome to the Lincoln Renaissance Band Update.
This Update is a new idea to give a summary of the news and forthcoming events of the Band and will be produced at regular intervals.
Firstly, we have had to change the April date for our playing afternoon. This will now take place on Sunday April 15th 2007. This means that it does not clash with the Newark Early Music Weekend.
Following last year's very successful visits by Jamie Savan to improve the Band's playing and understanding of renaissance music, we have asked Jamie to come again in our new year of playing. He will come to the September, April and June afternoons.
In addition, Richard Lindsey and Kathleen Berg have agreed to become our resident Musical Directors. And will conduct the Band for the other seven meetings.
Please note that the timings of the playing afternoons are now:
Fees will be £70.00 per annum (which can be in two instalments of £35 each. One by 30th September and the other by 31st January) and 50p towards for any refreshments at meetings.
Janet Bedford, Co-ordinator
Dear friends
The Lincoln Renaissance Windband seems to be moving again! We have had two successful days this year, with a third planned for Sunday, 18th April, meeting in the music studio at 2:00 pm and playing till 5:00 pm.
Volunteers for most of the "jobs" have been found, including:-
There are still plenty of jobs, however, so no-one need feel left out if they would like to contribute.
Lesley, in her "librarian" role, has asked if members would please check to see what LRW music they have. We have only been meeting for a short while, but already have parts missing. If you have something of which she has no record would you please give her a ring on 01522 750595, and let us have it back at the next rehearsal.
We have an opportunity to play on 24th April in a concert which includes a workshop presentation of Vivaldi's "Gloria", and solo performances by two young Lincoln musicians. We could arrange an informal rehearsal on the day, probably late afternoon if everyone wanted one. We will probably be asked to offer two 10 minute slots in the first half. We have also been invited to play as part of the "Busking in the Bail" day around the Castle and Cathedral.
If you know of anyone who may be interested in joining with us do please tell them about our activities. We think that at the moment we would be looking for people who have some degree of knowledge and enjoyment of renaissance music, and at least an ability to play C and F fingered recorders. If you have contacts with people who are interested but do not have these abilities get them to give one of us a ring and we will discuss it with them.
We have applied to the Lincoln "Community Chest" for help with funding. We have asked for money towards a bass crumhorn to be borrowed by group members, amd also something towards venue hire, postage, publicity etc. As part of this application we need to produce a constitution, and a suggested starting point for this is enclosed (or attached if you get your newsletter by email). Do let us know what you think of this, and propose any additions or alterations. It would be wise to try to fit in some sort of formal meeting in the next couple of months to get us off to a well managed start. None of us like meetings (do we?), but it's important that everyone has a chance to influence the likely character of the group. Maybe half an hour before a playing meeting?
We look forward to seeing you and playing again soon.
With very best wishes, etc.
Dear friends
After our initial energetic start we have had a "dip" in activity (for "a dip in activity" read "nothing whatsoever"!). Things are moving again now, and we have arranged a room for playing and the first few dates, The picture that Helen and Richard have of the group is that it remains informal, with the emphasis on getting together every few weeks to look mainly (but not solely) at renaissance dance music. The aim will be to enjoy our playing on the day, but to work towards occasional performances. The next of these is in April, as a part of the Early Music Festival's events on 24 April.
We are having to pay for facilities at Bishop Grosseteste College, and to allow enough to cover postage and music costs we suggest a fee of £3:50 per session. Does this sound OK to everyone?
The dates we have booked for playing are: 29th February, 28th March and 18th April.
We have an opportunity to play on 24th April in a concert which includes a workshop presentation of Vivaldi's "Gloria", and solo performances by two young Lincoln musicians. We could arrange an informal rehearsal on the day, probably late afternoon. We'd probably be asked to offer two 10 minute slots in the first half.
Lesley, in her "librarian" role, has asked if members would please check to see if they have any music from our playing last year. If you have would you please give her a ring on 01522 750595, and let us have it back at the next rehearsal.
As we said earlier, if you know of anyone who may be interested in joining with us do please tell them about our activities. We think that at the moment we would be looking for people who have some degree of knowledge and enjoyment of renaissance music, and at least an ability to play C and F fingered recorders. If you have contacts with people who are interested but do not have these abilities, please get them to give one of us a ring and we will discuss it with them. We will be printing a new brochure soon to help with recruitment.
We are looking forward to getting the windband moving again soon, and are optimistic that we can make enjoyable music together.
With very best wishes, etc.
Dear friends
First of all, a massive "thank you" to everyone who took part in the recent workshop and performance as a part of the Lincoln Early Music Festival. After only one rehearsal we were able to give a creditable performance without any embarrassments! The Sunday workshop appears to have been enjoyable for most participants and the Tudor picnic on Friday was well received by the audience as well as the musicians.
We owe thanks, too, to the Lincoln Early Music Festival, and to their sponsors, including Lincoln City Council, Lincolnshire County Council, The Halkes Trust, Pimento Tearooms, The Arts Council and The Lincoln Community Network.
Following discussion on Sunday and Friday it seems that there is certainly enthusiasm for carrying on with the project, so we shall be planning a few more sessions before the year's end. The first of these will be before the end of September, and as soon as dates are fixed we'll circulate participants with the relevant information. Music will be provided, and will initially be the Gavottes and Ammerbach we have already looked at, plus a new piece, yet to be chosen, but probably something by Susato or Henry's court. Following on from this is an invitation from the Festival's new artistic director to play a part (probably 20 mins or so) in the May concert.
If we are to continue, we need people to take on various responsibilities:
Lesley Clarke has offered to be "Librarian". On this issue, we are missing some parts already. Could you please check and if you have music which should now be back with us, give a ring and bring it back to the next rehearsal. Thanks.
Jennifer Jones is happy to collect fees (how does £3 per session sound?). We'll be using these for refreshments, postage and music.
On the refreshment front Chris Barlow and Frank Davis will be "manning" the urn.
Helen and Richard will continue to find and lead music, though we don't wish to hog this - if you have a favourite, do say. We want to play as well as conduct, and it will be better for the band if there is a variety of potential conductors.
Richard runs a web site for the Lincoln Early Music Festival, and will be adding a section about the band: take a look at www.LEMF.org.
On the subject of music - Richard will be reprinting the Gavottes which we used on Friday, as parts rather than scores. We know that having a score helps with tracking your place, and anyone wishing to use score will be able to carry on, but playing from parts is much more compact, removes page turns, and allows us to change the order of pieces to better fit our ensemble. Do let me know what you feel about the advantages/disadvantages of parts/score.
There are clear links with the Lincoln Early Music Festival. It makes sense to add the mailing details of the windband to those of the Festival. If you would rather we didn't do this in your case do give one of us a ring and we shall of course follow your wishes.
If you know of anyone who may be interested in joining with us do please tell them about our activities. I think that at the moment we would be looking for people who have some degree of knowledge and enjoyment of renaissance music, and at least an ability to play C and F fingered recorders. If you have contacts with people who are interested but do not have these abilities get them to give one of us a ring and we will discuss it with them. We will be printing a new brochure soon to help with recruitment.
Enclosed with this letter is a short questionnaire, it will be helpful if you could complete this and let us have it back; it is pretty obvious what we are asking and why.
There is a consensus around that Early Music Shop kits are the cheapest and quickest way to acquire instruments - especially crumhorns and cornamusen. If anyone needs help in completing a kit there is probably enough expertise in the group to provide this. If you are really stuck Richard will make up a kit for about 1/3 of the cost of having the Early Music Shop complete it.
Thanks again for your hard work and enthusiasm, it has been a pleasure meeting and working with you all. We'll write again with dates and venues for further meetings.
With very best wishes, etc.