Octet: Conductor, John Liddle

Good news, the octet will have a conductor again this year. While it is good to work and attempt to practise music on our own, having a conductor work with us focuses the group. A conductor will see the errors and possibilities much faster than we can. This season because Gloria Ratcliffe has moved out of the city the octet will have John Liddle conduct our group. Should be an interesting experience.
More about that once the group starts rehearsing. In the meantime, time to pick repertoire.

Colborne Lodge

It is that time of year again. The trio will be celebrating Spring at Colborne Lodge. What a wonderful way to celebrate the beginning of the season. We will be playing in the main room of the Lodge. It is always a fun to celebrate.
Join us if you have a chance.

Octet

Good news, the octet has found a place to practise. We are returning to the Donway, a seniors residence with a lovely hall in the basement. We are getting organized, have the location and most of the players.
The trio has been asked to play at Music in the Orchard again. We are waiting to have our date confirmed. Will be lovely to be out under the trees at Spadina House which is undergoing an extensive renovation.

January 2010

January 2010 has arrived and the group is ready to take on new challenges. Next week, we are going to perform at the Dunfield, a new residence with a recreation coordinator who we know well from another home. It will be a pleasure working with her again.
It is time to start thinking about our programme for the McMichael Gallery. May seems like a long time away but time will pass quickly.
The octet is starting to organize again. Want to be ready for May.
We wish everyone a Happy New Year. (It is okay to wish everyone the best this week.)

Trio

This week as you already know the trio will have a sub for the position of flute. It will be a challenge to have someone prepare the music in one rehearsal. We have decided that it will be better to perform as a trio than try to prepare duos for clarinet and bassoon since we have never performed as a duo. One of these days we will tackle that music.
Will let you know how the performance went after Thursday.

November

November is a quiet month for the group. Zach will be away so we have one performance next week. We will bring in another flute player to sub. This will require a rehearsal and then we are off to one of our favourite locations: Belmont House.
December will be different this year, no Spadina House because it is undergoing renovations. However, our calendar is quite full so we are not complaining.
More about December at a later date.

Kensington Residence

The Taffanel Wind Ensemble is busy with the fall and winter schedule. Next week, the group will be playing at Kensington Residence, downtown. This will be for the volunteer recognition dinner. The trio will play for cocktails and then the dinner. We will be fed after during speechs. This will be a lovely treat.
After this, the group is busy organizing for other seniors residences and soon we will bring out our Christmas music to prepare for Spadina House and other locations such as Beechwood in Mississauga.