Oxford and Cambridge Musical Club

2007 New Year Letter from the Chairman

To all club members

Yet another year of excellent concerts; they never cease to amaze me with their variety and interest.  There is hardly ever any repetition, ideas continue to abound.  I really think that we are very lucky to have so many talented and imaginative members, as well as hard-working and efficient concert organisers.  I can’t think of many better ways of enjoying an evening in London – free, comfortable and a delight to the ears!

There were several innovations in 2006.  Keith Daley effected a liaison with ‘Pro Corda’, the National School for Young Chamber-music Players, who played at our Gala Concert as well as at a shared concert with some of our own members.  The latter was an interesting programme which we hope will be the first of many.  An added bonus was that they nearly all took advantage of the new free membership for those under 26 and we hope that they will continue to be members when they reach that magic age!

We have had a good year altogether for gaining new members.  Our Membership Secretary, Evelyn Bercott, never misses a chance of recruiting, using her powers of persuasion very effectively.  In fact, our thanks are due to all the Committee members, who work so hard and make my job much easier.  While I’m on that subject, I’m sure that Libby Summers, our wonderfully efficient Treasurer, would like me to remind you that subs are due now.  Standing Orders are one of the ways in which we can help her.  If you don’t already have a Standing Order, Libby will be glad to send you the necessary details.  Write to her at: Moorings, Bishop’s Down Park Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8XR; or email her at money {a} ocmc.org.uk.

Other innovations have included a Concerto Workshop, to be repeated in 2007.  This was invented and organised by our new Music Secretary, Nick Murray, a good start to the unenviable task of taking over from Alan Reddish, who had held the post for over 16 years.  Other ‘firsts’ include an illustrated lecture by Chris Fifield on Kathleen Ferrier, an ‘All Winds Play Day’ (which I wanted to listen to but was advised against doing so!!), and a celebration concert for our longest-standing member, Leonard Whitehouse, consisting of his choice of music.  In 2007 the people celebrated will be Ken Goodare and Victor Robinson.  We also had a concert ‘In memoriam’ for Hilary Orr (a past Chairman) and Christopher Bunting.

The AGM concert was another departure from its previous form in being ‘workshop’ style – i.e. we rehearsed that afternoon only; I don’t know whether this will become the usual practice.

The Opera this year was Offenbach’s ‘Tales of Hoffmann’, conducted by Ed Kay; an ambitious choice which was very enjoyable.  This year’s choice is ‘The Magic Flute’ and conducted by Chris Fifield.  Singers who would like to be considered for solo roles please contact Jo Parton or myself.  We hope also during the year to have a performance of a Baroque piece, possibly Purcell’s ‘King Arthur’ or ‘The Fairie Queen’, which I will conduct.

Do come to as many of this year’s concerts as you can.  I’m sure you won’t regret it.

Here are a few anniversary dates which I have found, which concert organisers may like to use for themes for programmes.  Please tell me about any other musical anniversaries which I may have missed.

I’ll finish by wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Musical 2007

Lyn Parkyns, January 2007

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