Music Groups I am involved withMusic Groups I am involved with
Conductor: Ken Messenger.
The band specialises in "toe-tapping" music and usually has some good rousing marches and selections from the shows in its repertoire. During the summer the band takes on outdoor engagements, and usually obtains bookings to play in the grounds of stately homes, on bandstands, and at fund-raising events. During the cooler months of the year, the band performs indoor concerts. The venues are often local churches, with the proceeds of most concerts going to charity. I play second bassoon. The band meets once a week to rehearse.
Visit the Beckenham Concert Band Home Page.
Conductor: Michael Thomas.
Leader: Lynn Cook.
The orchestra is run by the Bromley Adult Education Authority as an evening class and meets once a week during term-time to rehearse. A concert is given at the end of each term. I played first bassoon during the 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 seasons.
Conductor: Raymond Lewis.
The orchestra is run by the Bromley Adult Education Authortiy as an evening class and meets once a week during term-time to rehearse. A concert is given at the end of each term. I played first bassoon during the 1994-1995 season and have returned as an extra player since then for an individual concert.
Conductor: Bernard Jupp.
The orchestra is run as a charity and meets once a week during term-time to rehearse. Concerts are given regularly, with the proceeds often going to charity. I play second bassoon when they need an extra player. St.Bart's, which takes its name from a church, is based in Norbury, which is near Streatham.
Conductor: Malcolm Youngs.
I help out from time to time when they need an extra bassoon player. I often participate in some of their summer Music Week sessions, which include orchestral sessions and chamber music. The Marlowe Ensemble is based in Sidcup.
Bromley Music Makers meet once a month at the Ripley Arts Centre in Bromley to put on a concert, with the items being provided by the members. Most performances are by soloists or small ensembles, and concerts generally contain a mixture of items by singers and items by instrumentalists.
Visit the Bromley Music Makers Home Page.
Sweet Harmony is a chamber group who dress in period costumes to perform 18th Century music.
Please mail me at bassoonist@baronmoss.demon.co.uk if you would like more information about any of these groups.
I heard a live performance by Laurence Perkins when he gave a recital at the Guildhall School of Music during a British Double Reed Society conference. He presented a highly entertaining programme, and concluded with a tribute to Gershwin, complete with a glissando up the tenor register of the bassoon! Those who left the recital hall after the preceding recital by Klaus Thunemann missed out on a treat.
Dag Jensen is another bassoonist who has given a recital at a British Double Reed Society conference. His recital took place in 1997 in the Royal School of Music. I was particularly struck by the tone achieved by this player. His playing is absolutely beautiful. He is a former pupil of Klaus Thunemann.
I had missed out on hearing Milan Turkovic until quite recently, when I purchased his Capriccio recording of J.C.Bach's Concerto in E flat major, J.C.Bach's Concerto in B flat major, and Kozeluch's Concerto in C major. As soon as I heard the first bassoon note, I knew I was going to like this CD very much: his tone is smooth and sweet and very much to my liking.
Last Revised: 23rd August, 2007.