BGS Christmas Party

HI Folks,

As I am over here in the tropics enjoying an Aussie Christmas Break, I leave it to Denis to provide a summary of the festive celebrations at the last BGS meeting. Wishing all BGS members, non members and blog lurkers a very Merry Christmas. See you in January!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Only about a dozen of us gathered for this Festive occasion. Our numbers were possibly reduced by the epidemic of heavy colds and 'flu, but more likely by the final of Strictly Come Dancing, which coincided with our meeting time.

Ray Butcher unfortunately succumbed to either a cold or 'flu bug on the Saturday morning, so he was unable to attend. However, Den had brought some Christmas Carol ensemble music, which we all enjoyed playing for about half an hour. After this there were solo offerings from some of the members, followed by the buffet and the now traditional quiz. A team effort by Dave and Janet Smyth saw them win the first prize, whilst Trevor Pike came second.

It was a good and enjoyable evening which appeared to leave everybody quite satisfied. We also gained two new members who will be welcomed in the January Newsletter.

Concert Performance : Concerto De Aranjuez

The Bromley Symphony Orchestra will be giving a performance of the Concierto de Aranjuez on Saturday 24th January at Ravensbourne School, Hayes Lane, starting at 7.45.

The soloist is Eurico Pereira and the orchestra will be conducted by Adrian Brown

The full programme is Berlioz Overture "Roman Carnival", Ravel "Rapsodie Espagnole", the Rodrigo guitar concerto and Respighi "Roman Festivals".Tickets are £9.50 in the balcony (£6 children) £8 in the mid stalls (£5) and £6.50 in the rear stalls (£4).

Tickets can be obtained from the ticket manager on 020 8464 5869

Gary Ryan Master Class in January

As you are no doubt aware we have a very exciting program taking place in January with the Master Class program run by Gary Ryan.

This event is going to be a little different to previous meetings in that we need to have a firm program in place prior to the session.

The Master Class will be offered to six participants (in twenty minute sessions). We hope to offer a program that ranges broadly from introductory to advanced.

It would assist us greatly in making the evening a success if we could receive prior notification of your intent to participate. Therefore could you please assist us by b completing the form below and posting it back to the address marked above by January 10th ? (Or you can send an email)

Applications will be taken in order that they are received so the sooner you post your reply the greater the chance that you or your student will be able to participate. Please note that participants wil be required to bring along a copy of the sheet music for their performance.

Admission to the Masterclass evening is free for all BGS members. Non Members will be charged an admission of £3.00 (unless they take out membership on the evening)
Successful participants will be listed on the BGS Blog Site

Click here for a copy of the application.

Christmas Crackers 3: Lute Society

1. CONCERTS IN SUFFOLK
December 21st at 7 pm. Church of St John the Evangelist, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Also
December 22nd at 7pm. All Saints Church, Hundon (Nr Clare), Suffolk
"Rejoice and be Merry" - a recital of Seasonal Carols, mostly ancient, set as lute songs (voice & lute) with Kate Witney (soprano) and Robert Foster (liuto attiorbato, baroque guitar & theorbo).
Both recitals admission free, retiring collection - mince pies & mulled wine included.
ThanksYours faithfully,Robert Foster

2. CONCERT IN STOKE DABERNON
A Festive Renaissance - Aurora (Maria Sanger, recorder and Dawn Johnston, lute) will be joined by Jane Searle (soprano) and Peter Wells (bass) on the afternoon of 20 December 2008 St Mary's Church, Stoke d'Abernon at 2.30pm. Tickets £10 are available on the door or by calling the Parish Office on 01932 86 99 22.
3. ARABIC XMAS DINNER
Dear Friends
I am writing to gage your interest in a Christmas Dinner with a difference...
There is a lovely Lebanese Restaurant just off High Street Kensington, called 'Lebanese Diner'. The owner wants to put on a special Christmas Dinner Party - a festive celebration with music and delicious food.
The music will be performed by me on voice, with Abdul-Salam Kheir on oud and voice, Meg Hamilton on violin and Elizabeth Nott on percussion.
We are planning to have this party probably on the 20th of December, but the 19th and 22nd are also a possibility.
At this point I am trying to find out if you would be interested to come along, whether you would bring friends and/or family (to have an idea of numbers) and also whether the suggested dates are suitable.
The price would be ca £ 35.00, including music and a three course meal.
I would be very grateful if you could let me know as soon as possible what you think of this idea.
It should really be a great evening - and a wonderful way to finish this year, which has had so many upsets, traumas, but also positive events, in a celebratory and peaceful atmosphere.
With thanks and best wishes
Merit
merit ariane stephanoswww.myspace.com/meritariane0044-7971-339398
5. SALE OF CDS
I was given over 400 CDs and 120+ vinyl albums all scratch free!!! It was through family links so I am selling them and the surplus is going to a charity - Starlight - in aid of terminally ill kids whose administrators wrote to me that same week.
Half of the stuff includes Classical and the rest Jazz and a few Flamenco discs.
If any members are interested, I can let them know what is available since I have not listed them only sorted if they contact me by any means listed.
regards Arthur escutcheonrecords@btinternet.com

6. CAROLYN SAMPSON AND MATTHEW WADSWORTH
05 December 2008 : Immediate release

BBC In Tune :
Hear Matthew Wadsworth & Carolyn Sampson today Friday 5th Dec live on BBC Radio 3 In-Tune from 5pm or on listen again : http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/

New CD Release :
Matthew Wadsworth's new CD "The Knight of the Lute : Music from the Varietie of Lute Lessons" to be released in February 2009
Pre-sales copies available at the Wigmore Hall on Sunday 7th Dec, 7.30pm

To Book Tickets call : +44 (0)20 7935 2141 or visit : http://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk
For more information see below or visit : http://www.loganartsmanagement.com/Press

Christmas Crackers 2: Message from Joep Wanders

Hello Guitarfriends,

Christmas sheetmusic for 1, 2 and 3 guitars on http://www.joepwanders.com/ - Christmas
With Jingle Bells, away in a manger, Good King Wensceslas, and many others.
You can download this free of costs!
Happy Holidays.


Joep Wanders
Guitarist, composer and author

Christmas Crackers: News from Aurora

(Thanks to Maria Sanger)

Aurora present a Tudor and Early Music Christmas Concert at St Mary's Church, Stoke d'Abernon, Surreyon Saturday 20 December 2008 at 2.30pm

Dawn and I are giving the above concert in Stoke D'Abernon and will be joined by Jane Searle (soprano) and Peter Wells (bass)

I attach a flyer with details about the concert.

We hope you can make it.

Best wishes,