One of those Months!

You may have noticed that I have been very quiet since my last post a month ago.

I had plans to tell you about my trip to London to see the Royal Academy Summer Show ,  Henry’s birthday Party and Joseph’s School Fete and not forgetting Father’s Day. Thanks for my presents Janet and Sharon. They were a book on How to be a Bad Bird Watcher by Simon Barnes (My Father taught me all he knew) and a ‘bug’ house, (pictured).

Here is a compilation in photos of what I would have told you about:

All the above went well and after such a busy weekend I was all set to put them in a post but then on the following Tuesday I was stricken by Gastric Flu.  Now, I am sure you don’t really need a description of the effects of gastroenteritus but, if  it was  ‘flu’, I would much rather be sneezing via the nose!!!!

This laid me low for two weeks and a bit longer to fully recover. The only upside is that I lost 10lbs in weight. So, to aid recovery I have spent these lovely sunny days sitting on the patio watching the activity (a bit meagre with one Dunnock, a rather straggly looking Blue Tit and a Blackbird being the only visitors).  I have taken some more images of insects etc which I will show later.

You have also missed me telling you about the Pfizer Wind Orchestra playing at St.George’s Church, Deal  and me being half of a Recorder Duo at Salutation Gardens, Sandwich in aid of the Deal Music Festival.

I have been busy as you can see but, lacking the will to live for a couple of weeks, I have got behind with my posts.

This is all set to change and, hopefully, you can look forward to regular posts from now on.

Pfizer Wind Orchestra’s Carol Concert

St. Mary’s Church in Sandwich was packed on Sunday for the Pfizer Wind Orchestra’s Carol Concert.

The Orchestra was assisted in the Carols by the Pfizer Voices Choir who also sang a selection of their own.

As usual we all arrived early for rehearsals.
I sneaked off and took a couple of photographs of the orchestra during rehearsal.

Pfizer Wind Orchestra during rehearsal for Sundays Carol Concert

The first half we played a selection of Christmas Favourites like White Christmas, Trioka and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and lots of others. During the interval Mulled Wine and Mince pies were served. I am not a great lover of Mulled Wine but I have to say this Mulled Wine was lovely – spicy but not ‘herby’ if you know what I mean.

Carols dominated the second half and were sung and played with lots of spirit (probably the mulled wine helped – it seemed to make a difference to my playing!).

When all had left and the clearing away had been done and I was moving the last table back to it’s storage location I caught my foot on the uneven flagstones and twisted my ankle. I am now limping.

I drove home in great pain (well it did hurt a bit) and Mae showed great concern.
It didn’t get me out of doing the Supper dishes though!!!

Pfizer Wind Orchestra’s Christmas Concert

Having just done our Autumn Concert (I trust you were there and enjoyed it) the Pfizer Wind Orchestra is now looking forward to our Christmas Concert on Sunday 13th December 2009 at 2.30pm:

Pfizer Wind Orchestra's 'Flyer' for their Christmas Concert

We will be playing lots of festive music, like;
Troika
White Christmas
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer
and many more.

This year we are being joined by the Pfizer Wind Orchestra Trainee Band and the Pfizer Voices who, while doing their own selection, will join us in singing carols.

It is being held at:
St. Mary’s Church
Sandwich

Mulled wine and Mince Pies are being served.

Come along and join in the singing.
It will be just what you need to lift the spirits and begin the countdown to Christmas.

Pfizer Wind Orchestra Concert – this Saturday

A timely reminder for the Pfizer Wind Orchestra’s Concert this Saturday 28th November 2009 at 7pm which is being held at St. Peter’s Methodist Church, St. Peters Street, Canterbury.

Car Parking in Canterbury, while being plentiful, is not close to the venue. A short walk really.

Location of Car Parks in Canterbury

Tickets can be purchased on-line at: http://www.sndwindorchestra.org.uk/?Shop or on the door.

An evening of good music is guaranteed as the venue lends itself to the rousing music we will be playing like; Beethoven’s 5th; Mars from the Holst Planet Suite; Carmina Burana; Kozhevnikov Symphony #3 (2nd and 1st movement); Hungarian Dance and many more.

I hope to see you there.
I will be easy to spot – I’m the fellow blowing his heart out on the Piccolo!!

Pfizer Wind Orchestra’s Compendium of Music

The date for the Pfizer Wind Orchestra’s Autumn Concert is fast approaching – Saturday 28th November 2009 at St Peter’s Methodist Church, Canterbury.

Poster for the Pfizer Wind Orchestra's Autumn Concert

It is a packed programme, a compendium none the less, of good music.
Such as:
Mars from the Planet Suite by Holst
Beethoven’s 5th. Symphony (you know – du-du-du-daaa, du-du-du-daaa)
Holt First Suite in Eflat for Military Band

I have been practicing hard as there are some tricky piccolo bits to play (the flutes don’t get off too lightly either!) but all will be right on the night – providing my fingers don’t seize up before then!!.

Visit the Pfizer Wind Orchestra’s Web Site (click on the link).
Tickets will be on sale soon, online or on the door.

Details of the venue in a future post (because I forgot to put the images in a suitable format for the web – something for you to look forward to though).

Book the Evening and be there – don’t let all my practicing be lost in an empty auditorium!!

Pfizer Wind Orchestra Concert. Were You There?

If you were I trust you enjoyed the Concert and were not disappointed that we were inside.

The weather forecast was not too promising but we (the committee) started to set-up for an out-of-doors performance but the heavens opened and we got soaked. So we set the band up in the sports hall with a view to moving outside later but as it was still raining on and off at 1-o-clock we made the final decision to stay indoors. The wind was very blustery all day. The wind blows the music away from the audience (and the sheet music off the music stands) and makes blowing a flute harder as it takes one’s breath away from the embouchure hole and no matter how hard you blow next to nothing comes out the other end!

The concert was well attended and people bought picnics so a party atmosphere developed.

Pfizer Wind Orchestra Summer Concert. The audience listening to the Trainee Band playing

Trainee Band playing under their conductor Kate Robinson

I couldn’t get any photographs of the Wind Orchestra playing as I was too busy playing myself but did manage these of the Trainee Band playing.

Comments from the departing audience were full of compliments.
I know self praise is no recommendation but I think we played well.

If you missed us this year watch this blog for next years date. After all you would not want to miss us two years in a row!

Pfizer Wind Orchestra’s Summer Concert THIS SUNDAY!!!!!

I am sure all kind readers of this blog of mine are already aware of the forthcoming Pfizer Wind Orchestra Summer Concert:

Poster for the Pfizer Wind Orchestra Summer Concert

This Sunday, 19th July 2009 the Pfizer Wind Orchestra are giving their annual Summer Concert at the Pfizer Sports and Social Club, Ramsgate Road, Richborough. Sandwich, Kent, CT13 9NJ.
The concert starts at 2.30pm and is out doors depending on the weather. Inside if wet. Bring a picnic and listen to music such as; The Dambusters March; Les Miserable; Highland Cathedral (with Bagpipes!) and lots more.

Pfizer Wind Orchestra can also be seen on UTube

Have a listen and I am sure you will want to hear more !

See you on Sunday.

If it’s Wednesday it must be . . . .(Part 2)

I stand admonished!

A week or so ago I posted an item about every Wednesday being my Croquet Day. I made it appear that that was all I did on a Wednesday.

Of course, that is not correct.

Simon, the Conductor of Pfizer Wind Orchestra, pointed out that as the Orchestra also rehearses on a Wednesday then surely that is what the title ‘If it’s Wednesday it must be . . .’ should refer to (all about priorities you see).

So, I set the record straight!
If it’s Wednesday it must be (in order of doing not priority) . . . .croquet in the morning during the ‘open season’ (May to September) and in the evening it is Pfizer Wind Orchestra Rehearsal (all year except Summer Holiday and Christmas).

And while I am writing about the Orchestra it might be a good opportunity to give advance notice of our summer concert:

Poster advertising the Pfizer Wind Orchestra's Summer Concert on 19th July 2009

This an outdoor concert at Pfizer Sports club (weather permitting – in door otherwise) and is surely becoming a fixture on the Wind Band circuit.

I am practicing and practicing my tricky little piccolo parts (honest Simon I am) as I don’t want to risk Simon’s beady eye looking at me over the music stand!

I will give more information as to the purchase of tickets etc. nearer the time.

I should be in the good books this evening at rehearsal, shouldn’t I!

Pfizer Wind Orchestra Concert at St. Mary’s Church, Sandwich

I hope you were able to get to the Pfizer Wind Orchestra’s Concert on Saturday at St. Mary’s Church, Sandwich.

The Interior of St. Mary's Church, Sandwich while 'setting-up' orchestra

I was there early to help ‘set-up’ the orchestra and seating so I only managed this shot of it’s interior and, of course, was unable to get any photographs of the Orchestra during the concert.

I took this shot while the Trainee Band were playing:

The Trainee Band playing during the Concert

Kate is conducting and Simon (our conductor) is the chap seated playing the flute. He was only there to help out the flute section of the Trainee Band – he says!

It was a good concert judging by the remarks of the large audience we had. The concert was in aid of the church’s restoration fund and I think a decent amount was raised by donations from the audience.

I think there may be a ‘write-up’ in the local press and if so I will try and get a link to the item for you.

Outside the Church is the River Stour.

River Stour, Sandwich from Strand Street on Saturday 4th April 2009

This is a view of the River Stour I do not normally see.

I will do another post soon detailing the Orchestra’s other forthcoming concerts but we will be returning to St.Mary’s Church in December for our Christmas Concert. So, plenty of seasonal tunes and Carols to look forward to.
That is a date not to be missed!

This was added by me on Monday 6th April
This link – ‘Dam Busters’ on UTube is a recording made by a member of the audience.
Have a listen and let me know what you think.
Thanks

Pfizer Wind Orchestra’s Free Concert

Yes, that’s correct – FREE!
The Pfizer Wind Orchestra are giving a FREE Concert on Saturday 4th April 2009 at 4.30pm at St. Mary’s Church, Sandwich.

Poster advertising the Pfizer Wind Orchestra's FREE Concert

Come along and enjoy good music such as: Holst Suite in Eflat; Les Miserable; Dam Busters March; and American Patrol

I look forward to seeing you there.