Ashford Sinfonia

Adult string players (violin, viola, cello and double bass) are invited to join The Benedetti Foundation for our Benedetti Sessions Day for Adult String Players in person at Manor House School, Leatherhead, Surrey.

Working with the Foundation’s Tutors including Alex Laing (violin), Clifton Harrison (viola) and Alice Kent (double bass), we will explore two pieces of music: Florence Price’s Adoration (arr. T. Poster) and Grieg’s Holberg Suite, 1st movement.

During the day, we will be focusing on expression, sound production, freedom in playing, story telling, understanding the context of the music and delving deep into specific technical challenges in upper and lower strings groups.

You will be sent materials to help you prepare in advance of the sessions and the day will finish with a play through all together.

This day would be most suitable for players working at Intermediate and Advanced level (recommended Grade 4/5+).Cost: £30 – FULL Bursaries are available (please tick the box on the sign up form)

Register by Friday 19 January 2024. Places are limited and the form will close when all spaces are filled.

If you have any questions, please get in touch on: info@benedettifoundation.org. 

We hope to see you there! The Benedetti Foundation 

Andrew is retiring from conducting Canterbury Orchestra, and in recognition of this, there is a concert on 26th November.

Following on from our quest to find a new conductor, we received 8 applications for the post. Our committee narrowed this down to a short list of 4, and at the beginning of the term each candidate visited us and conducted a rehearsal. The quality of the candidates was amazing, but in the end following a poll of members we selected one. I am delighted to announce that Michael McGowan has accepted the rôle and will start with us on Monday 6th November.

Micheal is a New Zealander, who has served for many years as a trumpeter in the forces, and is currently Bandmaster serving with the Welsh Guards. Michael is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Music – and great fun! We look forward to a long and happy association with him. Welcome Michael!

Tomorrow we rehearse under the baton of Tim Bushnell, who has kindly agreed to fill in while our newly selected full time conductor attends a course and is unable to join us. Tim is well known to the orchestra as a brass player, but previously took over at zero notice when Gill had Covid. This will continue over the next three rehearsals, either side of half term.

We are seeking a new conductor starting from this September. Our lovely conductor of the last several years has had to ask to be relieved due to pressure of work, and so far we have drawn a blank in trying to find someone to take her place. So if you know of anyone who might be able to fill this fun rôle, please do make contact through the contact page. The job involves leading us in rehearsals every Monday evening during school term time, and conducting a concert in each term. In addition some help and guidance in finding suitable arrangements is required. The post is paid – for details please contact Roger, our chairman.