Welcome to our final Newsletter of the summer term.
We are sure that our members have enjoyed the opportunity of attending a 'live' rehearsal for the first time in 15 months. It has been great to see everyone and hearing the sections performing once again. Hopefully, having successfully undertaken the trial of rehearsals in a covid-safe format for the second half of the summer term, we can now move forward with planning regular Saturday morning rehearsals for all sections from September.
With the virus still active within our communities, even with the expected final removal of lock-down restrictions on 19 July, we will need to wait for guidance from Surrey Arts/Surrey County Council before finalizing plans for our September return. However, even if the 2 metre distancing prevails for wind instrument musicians, we are confident that we will be able to facilitate rehearsals at Cordwalles School for all 3 sections of the Orchestra on a Saturday.
We will of course keep everyone informed of developments in this regard as, whilst Zoom has had its merits in enabling us to keep in contact with our membership through our Saturday morning one hour sessions, we believe that this format has had its day as regards to the provision of an enjoyable music experience
SHIVANI ISLANIA
Unfortunately we must inform our members and parents that Shivani will be leaving Surrey Arts at the end of this term and, as a result, will no longer be the Administrator for CYWO. During her time as our Administrator, Shivani has done an excellent job in maintaining our membership registers and communicating with parents regarding all matters CYWO related. In particular, she has worked hard during the pandemic to keep everyone informed of arrangements for online rehearsals and provided information and updates regarding Surrey Arts policies on safeguarding over the past 15 months and as we return to face-to-face rehearsals. Shivani will be much missed by the team at CYWO and we thank her for all her efforts on our behalf. We wish her well in all she does in the future.
LEAVERS
We would like to take this opportunity to wish the Senior Section members who will be leaving us this summer to go to university, all the very best for the future and to thank them for their valued contribution to the Orchestra during their time with us.
Of course, this virus has meant that our leavers have not been able to enjoy performing with the Orchestra during their final year with us, or to have participated in the cancelled 2020 tour to Valencia, which has been extremely disappointing after their long service. As has previously been advised, those that missed out on the 2020 tour will automatically receive an invite to participate in our next tour, which hopefully will be a good reason for them to keep playing their instrument! We will of course be happy to see them again at a future concert, either as a member of the audience or performing with the Orchestra.
On Saturday 17 August, we are going to hold an extra 'live' rehearsal for our Senior Section at Cordwalles School to play through all the pieces that they have been learning this term and to say goodbye to our leavers. This rehearsal will follow the Junior Section rehearsal that morning, and will be starting at 12.00noon and finishing at 1.30pm. Mark Cardy has already emailed Senior Section members to confirm this arrangement.
PROMOTIONS
This time of year is when we consider the promotion of members between sections, based on their progress with their music during the Orchestra year. As you will understand, decisions in this regard have proved a challenge this year because of the limited opportunities to fully gauge the progress of individuals whilst on Zoom rehearsals alone.
With a number of our Senior Section leaving the Orchestra this year to go to university, there is still a need for promotions to ensure the musical development of individuals and to maintain the integrity of the Orchestra's three sections. This will also enable us to bring new young musicians into our Junior Section to start their orchestra experience with CYWO.
Our Junior and Intermediate Section Musical Directors will shortly be informing those chosen to move sections from September. If a member has been omitted for promotion this time and believes there is merit in them being considered, please let us know.
MUSIC & POLO SHIRTS
If any member is leaving CYWO at the end of this term, can they please ensure that their music is returned at the final 'face-to-face' rehearsal on either the 10th or 17th July. This also applies to any CYWO polo shirt that is on loan.
If any member is leaving and not attending one of the final 'face-to-face' rehearsals, will they please make contact with our Senior Music Librarian, Linda McNaughton, to arrange for their music and polo shirt return. Her contact details are 07788 561241 or email linda.mcnaughton@hotmail.co.uk . Thank you.
For those being promoted from September, please ensure the music for your current section and polo shirt is returned when attending the first rehearsal on 11 September.
PROVISIONAL REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DATES 2021/22
11th, 18th & 25th September 2021
9th & 16th October 2021
6th, 13th, 20th & 27th November 2021
4th December 2021
10th & 11th December 2021 – Christmas Concerts, High Cross Church. Camberley (Intermediates & Seniors)
11th December 2021 – Christmas Coffee Morning, Cordwalles School, Camberley (Juniors).
13th &14th May 2022 – Spring Concerts at Camberley Theatre (All 3 Sections)
Brian Hopper
Chair