MAY CONCERT 13 MAY 2023
Congratulation to all members of our Orchestra Sections and their Musical Directors and Tutor Support Teams for a fantastic programme of music on the night of the concert at Camberley Theatre on Saturday 13 May.
Many favourable comments were received as to the quality of performance by all three sections of our Orchestra and proceeds from ticket sales and the raffle on the night will help considerably with providing the necessary financial support for the Orchestra. This will ensure we can continue to provide a viable and soundly based structure in which to operate going forward.
Our thanks to all parents that attended the concerts and encouraged others to come along to enjoy an evening of musical entertainment.
WINDLESHAM FETE 10 JUNE 2023
Well done to our Senior Section, who played a 45 minute music programme to open the Windlesham Fete in 30+ degrees celsius temperatures. Not the ideal weather to play in an open space without any protection from the sun, but this did not deter the Seniors from playing to the standard we have now come to expect from them, which was well received by those attending the fete.
We very much appreciate the efforts of our Senior Section members in representing CYWO in such challenging conditions on the day!
ST AUGUSTINES SCHOOL SUMMER FAIR 8 JULY 2023
It will next be the Intermediate and Junior Sections of the Orchestra, who will perform at the St. Augustines School Summer Fair on Saturday 8 July. There will be a shortened rehearsal for both sections that morning and then an early departure to arrive at the Fair in good time for their performances. We expect the Junior Section to play for 20 minutes from 1.00pm and then the Intermediate Section to follow on and play until 2.00pm. A detailed instruction letter will be issued shortly.
REMAINING SUMMER TERM REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE DATES
Summer Term 2023
17th & 24th June
1st, 8th & 15th July
Remaining Performances for 2023
8th July – St Augustines School Fair – Early Afternoon Performance – (Junior & Intermediate Sections) – attendance information to be provided shortly
18th November – Children in Need – The Meadows Shopping Centre, Camberley – Morning Performance - (Senior Section)
15th & 16th December – Christmas Concerts at High Cross Church. Camberley (Senior & Intermediate Sections)
A Message from the Chair to the Membership and Parents
I shall be stepping down as Chair of CYWO effective from the start of the Autumn Term and passing the operational management of the Orchestra to Samantha Hadingham in her role as Deputy Area Manager North for Surrey Arts.
Many of you will know that Samantha has had a long association with CYWO herself, having been a member of the Orchestra when at school/college and returning to teach and conduct after completing her time at university. She is therefore familiar with how we deliver a positive music experience for our members and will no doubt work to ensure that this is maintained going forward.
I have greatly enjoyed my 40 years of involvement with the Orchestra, from its small beginnings as Surrey Heath Middle Schools Wind Band back in 1983 to its present position as one of the most successful and well supported area ensembles in Surrey. I think however the time is now right for me to step aside and allow some new leadership to take the Orchestra forward into a new era on behalf of Surrey Arts, whose support to the Orchestra both administratively and financially since 2004 has helped me to ensure we maximize music opportunities for our Orchestra members.
I would like to thank all the parents over the years that have actively supported me in my role as chair, either as members of the Friends Committee, the Logistics Team, the Music Librarians or in the various other support roles. Without their dedication, some over many years, I feel that we could not have achieved all that we felt our young musicians deserve in the development of their musical talents.
In particular, I have greatly appreciated the close working relationship I have had with Mark Cardy, the Orchestra's Senior Musical Director, over the past 22 years. I believe we have made a good team that has spent many hours in looking for ways to enhance the orchestral experience for all sections of the Orchestra and in the planning for performances, including our popular overseas concert tours.
I will of course continue to take an active interest in the Orchestra, with my daughter Jane conducting the Intermediate Section and my grandson James being a member of the Senior Section, and I look forward to attending future concerts.
Brian Hopper
Chair