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Hi Everyone,

 Hi Everyone, thank you for all your hard work throughout the term and for all the effort you put into last night’s concert. The Orchestra was, I felt, really on form and left the audience ( and players) feeling Christmassy. Very well done. The tuning was excellent and the tempo changes well executed. I thoroughly enjoyed the performance and we had some very good comments from the audience. Well done to the string ensemble, too. I think the start was a little nervous but it certainly didn’t get in the way of some very sensitive dynamics and the way you interpreted the different styles showed how much care you put into the music. I enjoyed your playing. 

On a different note,Kate suggested meeting up for drinks next Monday- here is her email: 

I propose and a couple of people have seconded, a little orchestra Xmas social drinks on Monday 11 December at The Golden Lion in Rochester from 7pm.

 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eYRT6siQrPy532KE7

 

Blue Boar Lane car park is nearby (charges apply in the evening too)

 

All welcome, no need to RSVP just turn up and feel free to bring someone. If no-one turns up by 8 I'll head home! 

Love Julie xxx

The Folk group played at Chatham Library on Saturday 3rd December

Hi Everyone, I'll start by thanking David for asking us all to play at St. Augustine's and to congratulate him or putting all those groups together in a most successful way. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to perform; it's such a different experience than just playing for the Kaleidoscope centre.

Feedback: First of all, the democratic decision making was 'spot on' for choosing the music; the audience enjoyed the variety of pieces chosen.

Rustic Dance

Great tempo. Fantastic dynamics. Everyone watched well and the piece gave a happy start to the concert. Hugh was really on form at the 'G' section, as were the recorders when they played their pastorale tune. You all remembered the key changes! Balance was effective and I particularly enjoyed the trills in the flute parts - well done David and Alli.

Valse Triste

This really showed off your abilities to the full; constant changes of mood, dynamics and texture. There were a lot of sensitive moments in this. Again, you watched carefully as the changes loomed ahead and the ensemble could have been a little insure - but it wasn't. Very well played. The musicality was amazing as you caught the essence of the piece well. I enjoyed the dovetailing of the melody at E with flutes, clarinet and strings. The solos in this section - Jacquie and Gary, were played with confidence. Good support was given by Sheila, Sue and John, which enabled the solos to relax and enjoy what they were doing. The subito piano moments were as I would have hoped, followed by strong crescendos. You weren't frightened to turn up the intensity! Bravo. Brian - what a star to start off the piece, too. Second violins - your pizz. were warm and just what was needed. First violins performed with style and excellent phrasing, making a significant difference between E and H sections.

The intensity at L was great, although at the expense of a little mis- match of ensemble playing but I'm sure the audience didn't notice (even though we did). An opportunity for the 'chain to come off 'perhaps  ? But it didn't.

Rondeau

I'd like to thank all string section leaders who watched like hawks to make it possible to play without a conductor. You have all developed confidence and the faith I have in you was justified. Well done. What was really impressive is the fact that we kept in time throughout; no slowing down at each cadence. A very difficult thing to do without a conductor (sometimes even WITH ONE!). you really played this piece with confidence and style.

Palladio

Thank you 'cellos for fixing the correct tempo at the start. Well done Celia; the whole outcome could have been very different, had we started too fast. Just imagine it. (No don't!) There were a few discrepencies over tempo later on but fortunately most of you could see this in my face and adjusted the right way! Again, this shows excellent ensemble skills.

Gadfly

A Little bit uncertain at the start and a few changes of timings throughout, but the whole piece was enjoyed by the audience. The Second Violins really came to life where it mattered ( bar 11, in case you were unaware!). and again, the recorders at b 26 were heard  - the rest of you kept your dynamics down to allow Jacquie and Sheila to come through.

Schindler's List

Some lovely playing throughout this piece. There were swells in the music which really brought home the emotional sadness which this piece was written to portray. I know some of the textural lines had difficult rhythms which some of you had to really work at; together with the melody and counter melodies, these provided the intensity required.

La Ci Darem La Mano

I'm not sure this piece really followed on from Adele's 'All I ask'. However, I felt the jovial nature was set right at the start, with the 'cellos giving a good tempo.

The Merry Widow

Apart from watching the music and the section leaders, I was able to catch sight of some of the audience members swaying in pure delight upon listening to this piece. Perfect.

Second Waltz from Jazz Suite No 2

Huge thanks and congratulations to Suzanne and Hugh for their faultless solos. Not easy when you have to perform on your own (wouldn't get me doing it!). Again, some lovely dynamics and rallentandos helped shape the music. Exciting at times, an excellent way to finish a successful evening.

As they say ' bring it on for the next one!'

Sorry if these comments sound a bit like a school report (guess what I'm doing at the moment!!!)

Although I haven't mentioned you all by name, we are a team (first divion, super league - whichever is the highest) and I think we can all congratulate ourselves. We need everyone in the team and I know that many of you, if not all, practised hard for this concert. Thank you all.

The  Vicar of St Augustine’s,

Rock Avenue,

Gillingham, Kent

November 2015

Dear David,

Just a short note to say thank you to you and the orchestra for your marvellous contribution to the Autumn Fayre;  the music evidently created the right mood, if the final result was anything to go by!

Congratulations, and many thanks.

Jonathan 

December '14 Entertainment

Hi everyone, what a stunning performance you all gave on Tuesday. The 'wow' factor was certainly there, reflecting all your hard work and concentration.
(Must remember to do more challenging music next term!!! - only joking).

You have all made such wonderful progress this year and I hope our new members have enjoyed their music-making this season.

Well done Celia for playing so brilliantly in the Vivaldi 'cello concerto.The contrasts between soloist and strings made a good impact. We all enjoyed playing (and finishing) 'The Teddy Bears Picnic' - which was played with conviction.

Pat commented that she had never heard the orchestra play so well and I think the dynamic contrasts,again, were all there and the musicality very strong. 'Foyles War' was perfect. Well done for all the solo moments. Tuning was spot on.

We start back on Mon 12th Jan 2015.

Love Julie x 

The Folk group at the Milstead Summer Extravaganza

Sunday, 22nd June, 2014

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Christmas 2013

Some of the orchestra played Christmas Carols at St. Augustines's Gillingham.

We received an appreciative email:-

Just to say a huge thank you for last night. We had over 200 people there and It was the best orchestra we’ve ever had, I think, certainly in my time if the comments I had afterwards are anything to go by. Please do convey our heartfelt thanks to them all.

Cheers,  Jonathan Revd Jonathan Jennings
Priest-in-Charge
St Augustine’s Gillingham

The concert at St Mark’s, Gillingham, on March 3rd went very well, and we enjoyed sharing the stage with The Kingfishers Singers, the Rainham Ladies Choir, and the Brook Concert Orchestra.

This was part of the “Music Nation” weekend throughout the country, and it was good to take part in such an enjoyable event.  For more about this [click here].

Of course, playing in a Church provides resonant acoustics which give live music a special quality, so we are grateful to St Mark’s for holding the event.

Playing music with other people is one of the best ways of socialising, as it is “sport” but with everybody on the same side.  Needless to say, our biggest asset is our Musical Director, Julie, who initially finds the right music for us, and then, as is mentioned elsewhere, arranges each part to suit the capability of the individual player.  That’s all before she directs us all at regular rehearsals, turning playing notes into playing Music  ….   without losing sight of the fact that it is fun!

We were pleased to receive the following email:

Hello,

Sorry, I’m a bit late with this comment, but I would just like to let you know that the orchestra played brilliantly at the above concert. I really enjoyed it. I have heard them before, but they were definitely better this time.

Thanks for your time.

Ms C Barker

Playing carols at St Augustine's, Gillingham, Christmas Fair:

Our conductor, Julie, is missing   ....  as she took this picture.


The orchestra also played for the Christmas Carol Service at St Augustine's on the 
18th December.

We were pleased to receive an appreciative email afterwards:

Dear All,

I didn’t get the chance to catch you all after the service properly last night to say a huge thank you for your efforts. It was a tremendous occasion; the orchestra was superb.
Jonathan

A small group played Christmas music at a care home in Maidstone on the 4th December.



Christmas Party, December 2011:

Held at New Brompton Academy