Nominations are now invited for membership of the Merchant Sinfonia committee, to be formally elected at the first meeting on 10 September, 2013. Click on this link for the nomination form and further details.
Nomination forms should be returned by email to [email protected] no later than 3 September.
### Update ###
An update of current progress was circulated on 10 August to those on the current email list. It is copied here for anyone who missed it…
Hello to everyone who registered for the mailing list for Merchant Sinfonia – I hope you are enjoying your Summer and, of course, doing loads of practise!
It is some time since we have been in touch to let you know what is happening and the purpose of this message is mainly to ask you to keep an eye on the website at www.merchantsinfonia.org.uk over the next couple of weeks as details are finalised.
So what is happening? Well, our Constitution was agreed, as you probably know from earlier messages and this then enabled us to apply for a bank account. At present, we are still waiting for the account to be opened by the bank, but we hope to have the account details available within the next week, so that we can start enrolling. This delay means that our time scale is now very tight, since we aim to start a season of about 12 rehearsals for the Autumn Season on 10 September. As a result, as soon as we have the bank details, you will find an application form on the website which you can fill in to both enrol as a member of Merchant Sinfonia for a year (£10) and also apply to play for the September to December Autumn Season (fee still to be finalised, but in the region of £85 per season). Returning this form and sending the appropriate payment direct to the new bank account (within the window of several days that will be specified) will enable you to enrol as a member quickly and enable us to sort out any issues with regard to numbers and confirm whether or not people have gained the places they wanted to be able to play this Autumn, well ahead of the first rehearsal. This process is slightly different from what was envisaged simply because of the delay in getting the bank account opened and our need now to be self-supporting financially.
Some other points:
Louise, I am delighted to say, has agreed to continue as our Musical Director. She, and some of the Working Group are finalising the repertoire for the forthcoming Season – more details on the website as soon as possible. It is envisaged that, where possible, the scores will be available via links to websites, from which you can download and print your own parts;
- We are still trying to sort out arrangements with Glasgow Life with regard to a concert date at City Halls before Christmas – again, watch the website!
- Responding to comments received from some sections, Sectional tutorials will not begin immediately at the start of the Season to allow us all to come to grips with the music ‘tutti’. Similarly, tutorials will not be scheduled towards the end of the Season as we approach the Concert, but there will be some flexibility to bring in additional support for sections who feel they need it, either before or at the Concert;
- Nominations are being invited for places on the Committee. Please think seriously about helping and it will be important to ensure that each main instrument group (upper strings, lower strings etc) is represented. For Nomination forms, see the website or download the attachment to this e-mail and ensure that the forms are returned to [email protected] by the deadline shown (3 September);
- The first General Meeting of Merchant Sinfonia will be held at 7pm on Tuesday 10 September in Studio 1 at City Halls (ie immediately before the first rehearsal) to conduct (briefly) some formal business and elect the officers and Committee for the year ahead. Formal Notice will appear on the website shortly.
Finally, my sincere thanks to all the members of the Working Party who have been putting in a lot of effort in all sorts of ways over the Summer to make sure that Merchant Sinfonia remains in business. Now that we are no longer supported by the BBC, we will be dependent on members to help out in a variety of ways to keep the Orchestra running.
Remember, keep your eye on www.merchantsinfonia.org.uk over the next couple of weeks!
Best wishes to everybody,
Tony
(Tony Strachan – 2nd Oboe and Chair of the Working Group)
I would like to thank Tony and all the Working Group for persevering on our behalf. I know from bitter experience just how difficult it is to set up the administration of a group like the Sinfonia – the convoluted procedures involved in setting up accounts are a nightmare. Even just drawing up the constitution which, incidentally, I think is excellent, is so time consuming.
So well done, just hang in there!
Warmest greetings. Joanna.
Thank you, Joanna!
This is a team effort and we are now very close to ensuring that the wonderful opportunities afforded by Merchant Sinfonia to so many of us over recent years remain available for the future. As soon as we have confirmation of a bank account, the final pieces of the jigsaw can be put together.
Best wishes,
Tony