Chairman's Report 2005

My elevation to the chair was somewhat unexpected following the sudden resignation of Chris Eldridge. He had done a wonderful job and a hard act to follow. The moral to me is, as a wind player, don’t go to a string workshop!

It has been an interesting year albeit one with something of a learning curve. A highlight was my attendance at the Making Music AGM at Bromsgrove. Michael Lloyd was a guest speaker and gave an enlightening talk on just why he enjoys working with amateur musicians. We certainly benefit from his expertise and are very grateful to the hours he devotes to us. It was also a source of great pride to learn of the regard other societies have for Chandos. This is reflected in the choice of Chandos as the orchestra for the Making Music performance of the Dream of Gerontius in Symphony Hall in June 2005

Thanks must be given to all members of the committee for the hard work put in. In particular thanks must go to Roger Clift our manger and librarian. Without him we would struggle to achieve what we do.

We continue to fulfil our society`s objects by bringing music to Malvern that would not otherwise be available to the locality. The past years programme has reflected that. March saw a programme of great French virtuoso works, including Ravel`s G major concerto and Daphnis & Chloe suite no 2. In May we were joined by Mary Plazas in a stunning performance of Strauss Four Last Songs. The Season concluded with Strauss Ein Heldenleben with wonderful playing by our leader! This concert was also memorable with a fine performance of the Mendelsson violin concerto by our Young Musician winner Stella Hartkeinen.

Thanks are due again at this point to Audrey Couchman and her organisation of the Young Musician competition. Unfortunately she cannot carry on with that so we now urgently need a volunteer to take over. This competition is very important within the objects of the orchestra and deserves support. The encouragement of young players is important.

We still have areas where our administration can be improved. We need more help with publicity generally, assistance with programme advertising and sponsorship. As we develop musically we put on more adventurous programmes, that inevitably cost more. We need to continue this development, not only for our own benefit, but for our audiences as well

Finally thank you to all members of the orchestra for turning up and playing!