music

24th September 2009

we all love u at ilkley grammar

ben glover

Ears

24th September 2009

Being the culprit who was 6 inches away from liz's ears, I can only apologise profusely. Great concert tho.

Rich Walker

YWO at Saltaire

15th September 2009

Thank you so much for another fantastic concert with YWO. You've managed to get this orchestra to perform to an incredible standard in concerts time after time, despite lack of rehearsals, and concert venues that all have their unique problems, and a trumpet player that can't concentrate!! It never ceases to amaze me how you manage to get this band to overcome some pretty big problems with venues, with relatively little negative impact on the overall sound. From a personal point of view this was by far the hardest venue for me. I don't know what it was like for other players but where we were was an extreme of some sections playing directly into your ears from 6 inches away, and not being able to hear the other side of the band at all, specially horns. It was a nightmare. Thankfully I know I can trust you absolutely and that makes a big difference to still being able to maintain confidence. You manage to pull the best out of this band at every concert, regardless of how difficult the players are finding it. That's quite a skill.

I do however need to apologise for being completely unable to count 21 bars rest at the end of the concert, specially given I've done it in both concerts, in the same piece, with the same 21 bars rest, and came in at the same wrong place!!! Sorry!

Liz xx

Liz Varley

Keiron says:
The YWO has one tremendous skill and that is to follow a conductor that they trust brilliantly. It is therefore a bit much for me to claim to be the reason for their success. I'm a factor though!

NSWO Concerts

17th July 2009

Well done,yet again Maestro.
Your leadership and musical skills bring the best out of your orchestras. Bravo. See you next season.

Paul Tombs

End of another year

17th July 2009

Since I joined NSWO (about a hundred years ago) it's just got better and better every year. It's hard to imagine, given the standard we've now reached, that will continue next year - but I somehow know you will make sure it does. Looking forward to the challlenges and rewards it will no doubt bring.

Nicola, NSWO

Keiron says:
I will, for my part, continue to push for further improvement. The group will need to buy into this! I'm certain we can push forward.

hi from spain

28th April 2009

just would like to say hi to everyone at YWO and Pheonix, weather unlike England is extremly hot here in Spain, i might even get a tan lol, good luck with the rest of the year and hopefully audiences will grow

Nicky Dick

Keiron says:
A tan? Steady!

YSC Recording

22nd April 2009

I'd also like to mirror Molly's comments. I thought you were great throughout the whole of the weekend.

It was always going to be a difficult session, with a combination of technical problems, under-rehearsed material, and sometimes a lack of uniformity to our approach to the styling of each work. However, your expertise, and the respect that you were given by all members, meant that you managed to get us to produce results far and above my expectations for the weekend.

Your ability to motivate everyone even at the point when we (and probably you too) were exhausted was a key factor in keeping us going right to the end.

Although there were quite a few dodgy moments, I'm looking forward to hearing the edited results!

So, well done, and thanks for all your support and encouragement throughout the weekend.

Martin Little

Keiron says:
Thank you Martin, you played very well throughout the session and your group has a resiliance that will surely see them succeed.

YSC recording

21st April 2009

Thanks so much for all your hard workwith the Yorkshire Sax Choir last weekend. You were truly inspirational to get such results from us in such a short space of time. You kept us calm and relaxed, yet used the time so economically, while bringing our performance up to another level, far beyond our expectations. Even if someone had forgotten to press the 'record' button and the whole session had been lost (hopefully not!) the whole experience was still inspirational and has transformed our approach to playing together.

Molly Anderson

Keiron says:
I was filled with respect for the work ethic, cooperation, tolerance and determination.

Well done to all!

Re. Keeping up the momentum

8th April 2009

With the accepted risk of sounding like teacher's pet……. I agree!! An unfocused rehearsal can be just as infuriating for a player as a conductor and you are aware I'm sure, that there are several of us who share your current frustrations. It is easy for me to empathise, I am lucky(?) enough to have my own resident conductor/teacher and as such am the sounding block for identical concerns now and again. Which is an important point, most band rooms contain a critical mass of teachers (music or otherwise) and anyone who has felt the frustration of a disruptive element in any such environment (for me it's first year medical students grrrr!!) should surely know how it feels, and give the conductor the same respect they would expect to receive.

It's not about stifling enjoyment, but enabling. We both know a band who are able to move from falling off your chair hysteria back to focused and productive as soon as it is required, and this leads to uplifting and progressive rehearsal (despite the giddy moments) and ultimately assured and confident performance. The difference as you say is that it is all controlled from the front and very importantly, shared and enjoyed by everyone in the room.

Anyway, it's Easter hols, you made it, get some rest!
L.

Lindsay

Foenix Phiddlers

29th January 2009

Your guestbook seems to have a bit of a Phoenix bias at the moment. Hopefully that's evidence of the buzz around the band at the moment.

Just to let you know that our first ceilidh social on Saturday was a huge success. The hall was absolutely heaving with members of the band and their friends and family, leaving barely any room to dance. Everybody mingled and joined in and the atmosphere was wonderful. A few of us swopped our wind instruments for the dreaded fiddles and mandolin and formed a scratch ceilidh band for the evening, demonstrating what a versatile lot we musicians can be. Lots of laughter, great food, great company and a wonderful way to kick off the new year. Judging by the comments at the end I suspect this will be the first of many such events.

I've got a theory that if people enjoy each other's company then that increases the commitment of everybody to each other and can add another dimension to the quality of the band's performance. Saturday night showed how far we have come in terms of building a great team spirit at Phoenix and bodes well for the new year. It also disproves the theory that being a musician and having two left feet are not necessarily mutually exclusive!

Hilary Pattison

Keiron says:
It can only be good for the group and what's good for the group, is great for me.