Classical Music
by Sarah-Jane Morris
May 2008
Summer Music . . .
I am often asked to sing at
open air concerts in the Summer months and it got me thinking of all the
lovely events we have in the RH123 area during the Summer months. Of course
there is always Reigate Summer Music, our own wonderful festival run by
Leslie Olive and his willing helpers (of which I am one).
We have an interesting
programme of events, both in Priory Park and at St Mary’s Church, Reigate
Grammar School and my own lunchtime series of free lunchtime concerts in the
Methodist Church in the High Street.
The British weather is
uppermost in our minds when organising picnic events – will it be rained off
or will we have a beautiful day (like today). We can never tell, I even sang
The sun whose rays are all ablaze to a crowd enjoying the Gilbert and
Sullivan evening at Chartwell as they all huddled under their brollies in a
heavy downpour I still marvelled at the fact that they still sat there
enjoying every minute of the experience!
So whatever the weather, get
out there and enjoy the music this summer, whether it’s in Priory Park,
Gatton Park (Donizetti Don Pasquale in aid of The Children’s Trust), The
Horley Prom, and further afield the Crawley Prom – it’s a lovely way to
spend a Summer evening.
Sarah-Jane Morris of
Melisma Music is a
Gold Member of RH123
contact details
Classical Music
by Sarah-Jane Morris
March 2008
As budget cuts
bite - what is the 'State of the Arts' locally . . ? Many of you may have heard
about the Arts Council and their dramatic cuts in funding recently but just
what does it mean for venues and performers in our area. The Harlequin
Theatre in Redhill has the axe hanging over it but Reigate and Banstead
Council have promised that it is safe – for now.
The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in
Guildford suffered from the hatchet, as did the London Mozart Players. Many
other local organisations rely heavily on funding from the Arts Council and
will possibly have to cease performances.
This got me thinking, what
does this mean for the community as a whole? How much does the average
citizen spend on entertainment in a year and what type of entertainment . .
? As a performer I obviously feel that live music and entertainment is very
important to the culture of a country. If you don’t have a cultural base
then what do you have ? This could inspire a whole article on it’s own and I
am very keen to hear what you think too (music@rh123.com).
We are very lucky in this area
to have wonderful theatres at The Harlequin and The Dorking Halls, each
giving different types of entertainment. Dorking tends to have a lot more
Classical music and this week they are even having an ice rink built to
accommodate a performance on ice. Harlequin has comedy, pop tributes and the
occasional classical or jazz concert. Both venues support local artists and
have band nights for local bands. I run the lunchtime concert series at the
Dorking Halls and we regularly have over 100 in the audience for our
concerts so there is a market out there for “culture”. Our next concert
features a Guitar duo and then we have a Big Band, variety is the spice of
life as they say.
What is the future for the
Arts? Perhaps it's a case of use it or lose it . . ?
Sarah-Jane Morris of
Melisma Music is a
Gold Member of RH123
contact details
Classical Music
by Sarah-Jane Morris
January 2008
January – a time for fresh starts - As the New Year dawns and we all
take stock, why not think about taking up that new hobby . . .
There are lots of lovely
Choirs, Orchestras and Music Teachers, just waiting for your call. Singing
has been proven to release endorphins (happy hormones) in the same way as
when you exercise.
We are very lucky in this area
to have a number of excellent choirs and orchestras who always welcome new
members. The English Arts Chorale (rehearse Monday evenings at Wray Common
School), Redhill and Reigate Choral Society (see
www.rrcs.org.uk or telephone 01737
772811), Buckland Choral Society (Tel : Barbara Leech on 01737 763795),
Redhill Sinfonia (Monday eves at Holy Trinity Church, Redhill –
minimum Grade 8 standard
required).
Towards Dorking there is
Dorking Choral Society (Sue Scarott – 01306 – 877256), Betchworth Choral
Society and also a number of clubs who attend musical events – Dorking
Concertgoers, Reigate Philharmonic Society and Holmbury Music Society all
with wonderful concerts to go and hear in the New Year.
So . . . if you want to take
part or want to just watch other people performing there is a wealth of
talent out there for us all in 2008. . . pick up the phone or click on to
rh123's event section for more details of the local music scene. Take the
plunge and bring out those endorphins.
Sarah-Jane Morris of
Melisma Music is a
Gold Member of RH123
contact details
Classical Music
by Sarah-Jane Morris
November 2007
Losing the elitist image -
Why do so many
people think of Opera and Classical music as being elitist?
That is a question I ask
myself all the time when I look at my audience at a concert. I am constantly
performing to the over 60’s and wondering what will happen when they become
too infirm to come out to concerts anymore.
Is it the price (probably the
same as going to a football match) or is it that they feel shut out by the
music world because we, as performers, seem to know more about it.
In my career I am constantly
working to take music out into the community to young and old alike. When we
go into schools to give workshops the kids love it, so why is it when they
leave school the majority will never be seen in a classical music concert
again (until the are retired). Is it something that comes with age or are
they just too busy?
There is so much going on in
our area over the next few months – check out The Event for details.
So why not go and see what we
are all up to . . . or even better, take part - even more fun.
Sarah-Jane Morris of
Melisma Music is a
Gold Member of RH123
contact details
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