Members’ Page

This page contains info for Orchestra Members only.  If you are not a member, we suggest looking at the Home Page or a section of Our Past for info for you

Covid-19 statement (Updated 16/1/22 – new R.A.)

The committee have continued to develop plans to minimise risks from Covid-19.  It appears Covid will be part of lives for the foreseeable future so these are now ‘the new normal’ rather than temporary plans – and are therefore embedded in the general info below rather than in a ‘temporary plans’ section.

With the arrival of the Omicron variant of Covid we have needed to review our Risk Assessment, and the committee agreed a new version on 16th Jan 2022* – which is here – DCO RA Issue 16-1-22.approved. You need to read this and be sure you are happy with the precautions we have identified in it before coming to rehearsal.

(*The previous version is HERE).

Spring 2022 Programme (updated 14/1/22)

After our Christmas break we re-commence rehearsals on Monday 10th January 2022 and continue weekly until 21st March, then a final rehearsal on Friday 25th March at DLT before the Spring Concert on Saturday 26th March, provisionally at Beeston Parish Church.  We are delighted that after a 2-year pandemic-enforced delay, we can include in this programme the Elgar Cello concerto with soloist Danushka Edirisinghe which we had intended to perform in March 2020.  Danushka is a member of the NYO and is taught by Ben Davies. In 2019  Danuschka won the Gregynog Young String Player of the Year Award and Leicestershire Lord Lieutenant’s Award – Young Artist of the Year 2019 – for his musical achievements.

The programme includes two other pieces as shown below, and links to download the Manuscript from  IMSLP or to follow a performance on YouTube are also included. .

Rehearsals Procedures (Updated 28/09/21)

Rehearsals are held in the Theatre building at the Sherwood Rise site of the Djanogly Learning Trust, NG7 7AR (See map) on Monday evenings.

  • Members MUST stay away if they have a positive test, have been in contact with anyone testing positive, have been asked to isolate for any reason; or have any symptoms which might be indicative of Covid.  We encourage members to take a home lateral flow test before rehearsals for the benefit of others.
  • Rehearsals start at 7.00, but Members are asked not to arrive before 6.45 as nominated Monitors need time to set the theatre up for our use.  On arrival members will be signed in.
  • Face coverings should be worn for entry (unless exempt).  They may be remove when seated, but should be put on when standing or moving about.
  • Keep you belongings at your chair; and keep a social distance of at least 1m.
  • Strings who wish to sit singly rather than at ‘desks’ need their own stand and music
  • Wind players need a means of collecting drips, and are asked to consider using bell covers.
  • We have a break at ‘half time’ for which you may bring your own refreshments.  You are encouraged to stay at your seat an not mingle.
  • Rehearsal will finish about 9.15 to give time to tidy away.
  • If you – or a member of your household – tests positive within 2 days of a rehearsal you must inform Jacky immediately so track and trace can be invoked.
  • In the event the the rehearsal has to be moved from the Theatre to another room, we have no control over the level of ventilation available, and members need to make their own decision whether to stay.

Provisional Programme for later in the year

Summer 2022 Folk theme (Provisional date 9th July 2022)

  • Vaughan Williams Folk Song Suite (15 minutes)    (no Manuscript;  Youtube)
  • Holst A Somerset Rhapsody  (11 minutes) (Manuscript; Youtube)
  • Ben’s Piece (Commission)  (10 minutes)
  • Dvorak Symphony No 8  (37 minutes)   (Manuscript  ;  Youtube)

Autumn 2022 Russian theme (Provisional date 10th Dec 2022)

  • Balakirev – Overture on Three Russian Themes; (No Manuscript; Youtube)
  • Mussorgsky – Dawn at the Moskva River;  (Manuscript; Youtube)
  • Rimsky Korsakov – Trombone Concerto; (No manuscript; Youtube)
  • Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6  (45 minute)  (Manuscript;  Youtube)

Membership and Subs

If you are not a member but interested in joining the Orchestra, please see info on the Home page.

Members need to be able to come to rehearsals regularly – as frequent gaps make it less enjoyable for other players.

Subs should be paid by standing order – either annually in January;  or quarterly in November, February, May and August (please contact the treasurer, Roger Kilby, for standing order information).   From 1st Nov 2021, subs return to their previous level of   £100 per year.  The one exception is that membership for a full-time student is free – so don’t forget to tell Roger if you already are (or if you become) a student!

Organisation

Our orchestra is a registered charity (Charity No. 1084053) and our structure is defined in the DCO constitution.  Management and planning is through our committee. Each member of the committee has specific roles, as shown below.

Minutes of committee meetings and AGMs are available to all members on a this PAGE (contact the Enquiries for a password).

staff_jackyfisherChairperson: Jacky Fisher.
Jacky has been a member of the cello section since 2001, and is currently the committee Chairperson. She largely retired a few years ago from her job as a social worker in the field of disability. She hides at the back of the cello section, but loves the opportunity to make great music in a full-scale orchestra.
staff_rogerkilby
Treasurer: Roger Kilby. 
Roger has been playing violin with the orchestra since about 1995. He started learning at school and continued at University,  and is still involved in other string groups and choirs. Roger enjoys our Orchestra because he finds both the friendly atmosphere a real tonic after a day’s work, and because it presents the opportunity to tackle some genuinely challenging pieces of music.
 staff_johnthurstonSecretary & Website manager: John Thurston.
John joined the committee in 2012. He plays tenor trombone and joined the orchestra in 2008. Having played for many years previously only in a church music group, the transition to orchestra was challenging at times but was greatly helped and encouraged by other members of the Orchestra.
staff_lauraewartDjanogly Learning Trust Liaison and Concert Programmes: Laura Ewart.
Laura is a member of the trumpet section of the orchestra. Her role on the committee are to write and produce the programmes for all of our concerts. She also works at the Djanogly Learning Trust which helps us enormously in the liaison and organisation of concerts and rehearsals.
staff_robynscottchaplin Concert Activities Manager: Robyn Scott-Chaplin.
Robyn joined the orchestra committee in 2015 where her remit is to Manage activities for each concert. She joined the Orchestra in 2000 as a very new percussionist, and is now our chief timpanist. She only became a committee member after cutting down on her day job, and loves to hear how music is created in front of our ears – just like magic!
staff_susansullivanConcert Venue Manager: Susan Sullivan.
Susan joined the orchestra in 2016 and the committee in 2017.  She is enjoying both playing in the friendly cello section, and, in her role as Venues Manager, liaising with the helpful church administrators and clergy in the churches where we play.
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is staff_gillcubitt.jpgFacebook Manager: Gill Cubitt.
Gill joined the orchestra in 2005 and the committee in Nov 2020 currently looks after our Facebook page. She has played violin since age 7, and has worked as a music teacher, piano and violin teacher, music therapist and choir leader.  She continues to be involved in a variety of orchestras and music groups, and says she finds the orchestra friendly and supportive and enjoys playing a wide range of music.

Other Roles

staff_stephenhowarth Leader: Stephen Howarth.
Stephen joined the Orchestra in 2006. As Leader, he has an honorary role on the committee. He started learning violin age 5 and was heavily involved in performing music throughout his whole of his school life and his career as Chemical Engineer. He says that the Orchestra is full of welcoming and friendly musicians who enjoy making music together and putting on a good performance.
fran_rhodenMembership Secretary: Fran Rholden.
Fran became our membership secretary in September 2021.  She plays at the back of the viola section, where she enjoys sitting right in the middle of the orchestra. It’s the best spot for listening to the orchestra, feeling part of the music making at Djanogly.
staff_emmagrishin Librarian: Emma Grishin.
Emma (who plays flute)  is our Librarian.  She hires or buys the music we need for our rehearsals and concerts, distributing it to players, and collecting it up and returning it after the concert. Emma is not committee members but contributes a vital role to the smooth runnung of the Orchestra.