20/9/23

Dear String Player,

Swindon Strings at Christmas is back!

 Saturday  9th  December 3-5.30pm with a short break for tea/coffee/mince pies and sherry.

We will be meeting at ST FRANCIS C of E PRIMARY SCHOOL, AIKEN ROAD, TAW HILL, SWINDON, SN25 1UH. It is opposite Taw Hill Medical Centre and there is plenty of free parking.

It will be a relaxing fun afternoon of old favourites, surprises and Christmas music.

There will be a fee of £10  to cover the cost of the hall, payable on the day and please remember to bring a music stand.

Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think might want to come along. I would also appreciate it if you could let me know if you will be coming so I can arrange enough parts for everyone.

Looking forward to seeing you and playing together again!

Best wishes,

Wendy x

25/7/23

The commitee of the orchestra has submitted a response to the proposed Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2023 “Martyn’s Law” legislation.

Summary: the proposed legislation is onerous, disproportionate and counterproductive. The NSO is opposed to it. 

The full statement of evidence provided by the orchestra is available here; NSO Submission to Home Affairs Select Committe. For evidence submitted by other parties see here. The NSO is far from the only amateur music organization  with strong objections to this proposed bill.

View from the audience.

23/3/2023

Mathilde Milwidski, our guest soloist in the forthcoming Spring Concert, has just been included on Classic FM Rising Stars: 30 under 30 list.  This is a list of 30 musicians under the age of 30, that Classic FM is championing as Classic FM’s Rising Stars in 2023.

Many congratulations to her! She is performing the Korngold violin concerto with us on 25 March, featuring music by a composer who wrote for the golden age of Hollywood.

12/12/2022

Courtesy of Rebecca Simpson, we now have Youtube videos available of our successful Autumn Concert. This featured seventeen year old cellist Oliver Simpson who is studying with Gillian Thoday. He was delighted to be selected as an LPO Junior Artist for the year 2021/22 and has performed as a soloist at numerous concerts. 

The concert videos can be viewed at:

Carl Maria von Weber - Der Freishütz Overture, Op.77 J.277 - https://youtu.be/Q_4bcNIiUWw

Edward Elgar – Cello Concerto in E minor, Op.85 - https://youtu.be/bGhv8QuGpiQ

Antonín Dvořák – Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op.88 B.163 - https://youtu.be/i9SAs0d2L_M

9/11/2022

We mark the death of long standing violinist member Jennifer Davies, who died on Monday aged 101. At the age of 98 she was the oldest actively playing orchestral member, but unfortunately suffered a fall and could not re-join us after the Covid pandemic. The funeral takes place 1.30 at Speen Church on 6th Dec. The wake follows straight after the service, and is in the church. 

20/10/2022

It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of Peter Denny, for many years the leader of the Newbury Symphony Orchestra. His funeral will take place at Holy Trinity Church Hermitage on Thursday 27 October at 11am. Donations may be made to  'Help Musicians or Practical Action' may be made via Peter's Tribute Page at wbfd.co.uk. Further details here.

Our oldest member, violinist Jennifer Davies, turned 100 on the 14 April 2021. The orchestra presented her with a birthday cake. She has hurt her arm recently so has not been able play the violin and we do wish her all the best. She is pictured here in her garden with birthday cake, telegram from the Queen and orchestra chairman David Cooper.