Newsletter No 5 – September 2024
An update on what we’ve been up to. If you would like to be added to our friends list, or you know anybody who might be interested, please email info@bacchuswind.org.uk or any member of the orchestra.
Next Concert – Saturday 12th October 7.30pm at Tonbridge Parish Church
Bacchus is excited to be preparing for a cracker of a concert on October 12th, with its trademark mix of old and new, fast and slow, loud and soft, complex and simple. Warming up with Fucik’s sparkling Florentiner March, we present Grainger’s extraordinary masterpiece “The Power of Rome and the Christian Heart”, a tone-poem about conflict between the plucky individual and implacable “powers-that-be”, scored for Wind Band and organ. We are delighted that Alex Trigg is returning to Bacchus, this time as organ soloist, and Alex will also perform a solo piece later in the programme. Lauridsen’s Magnum Mysterium, a meditative work originally for choir, will bring calmness, but this will be gleefully counterbalanced by “Gaellforce”, a set of Irish tunes to get the feet “battering the floor”. The second half kicks off with Berlioz’ riotous take on Carnival in Rome; “Windjammer” then takes us on an atmospheric voyage on a tall ship, and, following Alex’ solo piece, we close with the three witty sketches of Nigel Hess’ “New London Pictures” - “Millennium Dome”, “London Eye”, and “Congestion Charge” (with traffic lights!).
Summer 2024
Bacchus has had another very successful summer season. The highlight was our annual concert in partnership with Chapel Down vineyard, whose premier wine label is Bacchus! We performed in their garden on a lovely summer’s evening - with the interesting challenge of the sun setting directly behind the conductor! We started (of course) with March and Procession of Bacchus and included a broad range of music - Sibelius, Shostakovitch, Robert Russell Bennet, Jerome Kern, Gershwin, Holst.
We were also lucky with the weather on another outing to Eastbourne bandstand; and this time the fireworks for the 1812 overture started and finished in sync with us!
It was a particular pleasure to welcome back several of our younger players, who joined us post exams and in the university holidays.
Update on the Orchestra
Bacchus continues in fine fettle with almost all sections full. Lyndsey has decided to move on from our sax section and we wish her well in the myriad other groups she plays in. And we have waved Will off the university. Meanwhile we have welcomed two new flutes (Kornelia and Rachael). And Adam has persuaded his father Graham to dust off his horn and join us so we now have three horns. Which means all our sections are fairly full. The decibel level at rehearsals is rising….
For the coming concert we are also welcoming guests: Andrew on trumpet, Louise and Liz on clarinet, Jo on oboe, Wendy and Trevor on horn and Susan on double bass.
Dates for your diary
12th October 7.30pm - concert - Tonbridge Parish church
17th November 2.30pm - Hadlow Parish Church with cake and tea
8th February 7.30pm - concert - Tonbridge Parish Church
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