For members

Term Dates

Winter term ends on Wednesday 20th December 2023 with carols at The Stratton Arms.

- Christmas break 27th Dec, 3rd Jan, 10th Jan.

Spring term 2024, first rehearsal Wednesday 17th Jan, last rehearsal before half term 7th Feb.

- Half term Wednesday 14th February

Spring term 2024 recommences 21st Feb, end of term Wednesday 27th March.

*please note there is no rehearsal on Wednesday Feb 28th*

- Easter break - 3rd April & 10th April

Summer term 2024 starts - 17th April, David Campbell workshop Saturday 11th May, last rehearsal before half term is 22nd May.

- Half term - 29th May

Summer term 2024 recommences - 5th June, Swalcliffe concert Saturday 15th June, St Peter's Church - Brackley concert Saturday 29th June, last rehearsal before Holland tour 3rd July.

- Holland Tour 2024 10-14 July.

- Stratton Arms - 17th July

- Summer break 24th Jul - 4th Aug inclusive

Autumn term 2024 starts - 11th Sept, last rehearsal before half term Wednesday 23rd October.

- Half term Wednesday 30th October

Autumn term restarts on Wednesday 6th November, Christmas concerts Sat 7th December - Egerton, Wed 11th Dec - Stratton Arms, Sun 15th Dec - The Mitre, last rehearsal on Wednesday 18th December.

We will restart on Wednesday 15th January 2025.

Committee

Co-chair: Judi Binns

Co-chair: Natalie Milner

Secretary: Heather Arrowsmith

Treasurer: Lindsey Comben

Tour Director: Helen Henshaw

Social media: Emily Buttrum

Committee Members: Michaela Watts, Jackie Edwards, Richard Linden

Rehearsals

We rehearse on Wednesday evenings at Turweston Village Hall, from 7:30pm to 9:30pm during term time, with a mid-session tea break lasting around 15 minutes.

Cost

Subs are either:

£ 120 per year,
£40 per term, or
£10 per month.

In addition, we ask for a contribution of 20p a week to cover the cost of refreshments.

Music

Nearly all the music is on our Google Drive. You should have been given the link when you joined or it is on our WhatsApp Business chat but if you would like it again, just ask one of the committee.

Please bring all your music with you every week - even if Brian has asked us to practice specific pieces, we might play extra.

Practice

Here are some top tips for effective practice from Brian:

Practice is better done regularly and in short bursts; even 10 minutes a day is worth it, and two lots of 15 minutes is better learning time than 30 mins in one go.

Don't always start from the beginning - play the last 16 bars, then the previous 16 bars.

Warm up with something familiar, then move on to a challenge, and finish with something fun.

Pick out a tricky passage and play it very slowly - work out why it is difficult.

Use a mirror to practice in front of and watch your fingers.

Sometimes just forget the music. Concentrate on tone and control of your dynamic range whilst still staying in tune.