Essex Symphony Orchestra Social Activities
(More events planned)

End of Season Dinner, July 7th 2008

We changed 'fields' this year. After six years where our annual dinner was held at the Alma Springfield we moved to the Angel Broomfield this year. Wheras the Alma has that Dr Who characteristic of a surprisingly modern interior in a quaint wood clad shell, the Angel has a conventionally old world timber beamed interior in a buiding with an outside appearance that would probably not turn the head of a traveller searching for ancient inns. (Actually the Angel has been an inn for very many years, and parts of the building may be more than 400 years old.)

Compared to the style we experienced more recently at the Alma, where square plates carried rather dainty meals (with drizzling), the presentation at the Angel was more 'chunky', with straightforward dishes on big round plates and bowls. Haydn thanked Pam for organizing this event and David Brice spoke as a non member, thanking the orchestra for the opportunity to share this very enjoyable evening.

Musical Evening February 9th 2008

It's two years from our last musical evening and in that time it seems the strings have sharpened up their act, since the proportion of string items was much higher than in 2006. It was a slick presentation, one act following the other with smooth transition, and the chosen works were beautifully and faultlessly played. The great thing about such evenings is that members get to see their fellow musicians in more dimensions than appear at full orchestra rehearsals. For example, how would you know that one of our our clarinets is also an accomplished pianist, unless you saw him in action, or that Elizabeth often dresses up in costume and plays medieval instruments. The hand bells were a star item again, with Ruth in control. (But this time there had been a rehearsal!)
The evening's musical programme was as follows, with the food sandwiched in between:-

The food was delicious, prepared and provisioned by the ladies, who also cleared up afterward. Haydn, our chairman, gave thanks to Hilary, our secretary, for organising the evening and also for all the work she does for us in so many ways.

At the Alma Yet Again 16th July 2007

The picture left shows some of our members and their spouses at the 'Alma' in Arbour Lane Chelmsford, where, as regularly as the beat in Haydn's 'Clock' Symphony, we habitually meet to round off the season's activity. As you will see the decor is very swish nowadays, with contemporary furniture, subdued lighting and a long mirror on one wall. (Had there been a mirror on the facing wall, the orchestra might have appeared to extend to infinity, but although recruiting through this website continues to be good it's not in that class.) The food was served with great efficiency and had good taste and quality, although those looking for five full generous portions of fruit and vegetables per day might have been disappointed. Hilary, our indefatigable secretary, organised this event.

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Music in the Summerhouse June 24th 2007

For several years past ESO members and their friends have been invited, in June, to use the extensive gardens of a longserving member of the ESO, and the summerhouse of a generous neighbour, for a relaxed session of string ensemble playing without the stress of concert deadlines. This year the most noticeable difference was that a bigger, and, dare we say it, a more experienced set of players attended. This set incuded the leaders of the ESO violin and viola sections and top desk 'cellists. Another difference was the weather, often kind in earlier years, but this year threatening rain - so that tea and cakes, courtesy Gilly Longhurst, had to be taken indoors. Dvorák's lovely 'Serenade for Strings' was given a good airing under Christopher Kingsley, conductor of the Lingwood consort. The picture right gives a flavour of this event but the Webmaster's lens could not encompass the company completely, and photography from from several directions would almost certainly not have been acceptable, and so some very good looking players were unfortunately obscured.

At the New Alma 3rd July 2006

Was this the Alma we knew of old? That quaint, almost quirky, little pub down Arbour Lane Chelmsford? We knew something was afoot last year when building work was underway, but this was a transformation. Cushioned, cream coloured walls with concealed lighting, boldly coloured blinds and swish new furniture. Gone was the dark wood panelling and the very slightly faded decor with its traditional feel. As with Doctor Who's time machine you wouldn't know what was inside judging by the rustic wood faced exterior. The air conditioning was so efficient that a globally warmed summer evening was chilled by a breeze which could have come down from the arctic, too cool for some ladies in their seasonal dress. As ever the food was excellent and the company congenial and so, after all, this was the usual ESO annual dinner.

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Music in the Summerhouse June 25th 2006

For several years past ESO members and their friends have been invited, in June, to use the extensive gardens of a longserving member of the ESO, and the summerhouse of a generous neighbour, for a relaxed session of string ensemble playing without the stress of concert deadlines. We thought this tradition would cease when the neighbour moved on, but the new owners generously gave us the same priviledge. On a lovely summer's day, ten strings and a wizard keyboard player achieved a creditable performance of Armstrong Gibbs' Peacock Pie Suite, in two sessions, separated by an even more relaxed taking of tea and cakes in the garden. As usual, we were conducted by an experienced musician, this year Christopher Kingsley, conductor of the Lingwood consort. Christopher has strong associations with Armstrong Gibbs, since he took over from him as organist at Danbury Church and conductor of the church choir, an experience which he said was an honour but difficult since he was filling distiguished shoes.

Musical Evening February 4th 2006

The evening started with a challenge from Hilary that anyone present could play from sight using hand bells. No cajoling was required, for six volunteers stepped forward immediately. The picture above shows them preparing to play and getting the feel of these unfamiliar instruments, following very brief instruction from Ruth and her husband. After a successful performance of 'Where is Your Love' on the bells, the serious stuff started; well -not too serious though, for the delightful light-heartedness of some of the items balanced the intense romanticism and classical precision of others. Towards the end another team played ' Shepherds Hey' on the bells, and they were equally as good as the first, although there was no adjudication. The evening's programme was:-

Hummel	Two Movements from his Trumpet Concerto
Gordon Jacob Arrangement	Flute, Oboe, Clarinet and Bassoon: 'Four Old Tunes' Bobby Shaftoe, Golden Slumber, Daphne, Charlie is my Darling'
Tchaikovsky	Three flutes and piano: Nutcracker Suite: Dance of the Merlatons
Tchaikovsky	Two Flutes and Piccolo: 'Song of the Lark' from his piano work
Show Music	Give My Regards to Broadway
Mozart	Two Clarinets and Bassoon: Second of Five Motets
Brahms	Clarinet, Two violins, Viola and 'cello: Quintet
SAVOURY COURSE
Pam Wedgewood	Jazz on the Trumpet with Piano
Show Music Arranged	Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Horn: 'Fiddler on the Roof'
SWEET COURSE

The food was delicious, prepared and provisioned by the ladies, who also cleared up afterward. Thanks to Hilary, who organised the evening, were delivered on the 6th February at rehearsal.

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Back to the Alma July 4th 2005

Returning yet again to the Alma, which looked as quaint as ever with its white boarded frontage, we found that things were changing fast round the back and inside. Unseasonably cold air, and builder's work in the garden, forced us to hurry inside, where the u-shaped table looked familiar - but not the walls - as far as one could see under very subdued lighting. The food was very good and well presented, with a quality arguably exceeding that of previous years, and the service was very slick.

It had been a turbulent year for the orchestra, with the end of Antoine's reign and the auditions for his successor, and our executive deserved a break from managing the complex task of keeping our thriving orchestra on track. The picture shows that Haydn and Fiona, Chairman and Vice Chair respectively, were in a relaxed and happy mood, enjoying their meal. They couldn't possibly be talking shop could they! There were no speeches, except thanks to Hilary, our indefatigable secretary, who organised the evening.

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End of Season Dinner July 19th 2004

Dining at the Alma on the Monday at the end of the playing season now seems an established tradition, which must in part be due to the good quality food and service that we have found there. This year, with a very challenging programme coming for the 2004/5 season, including Rachmaninov's Second Symphony, Antoine rehearsed us well into July, and so the dinner was held a bit later than usual. Unfortunately, the talented leader of our 'cellos, Jill Seymour, is leaving us after many years, and she received a gift from her friends to mark the occasion and we all wished her well in Suffolk. Charles led us in thanking Veronica for organising this event.

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Musical Evening January 17th 2004

The ESO strings will have to concede that our very talented wind section dominated this event, since only one of eight items was a piece for strings. Nevertheless, that one string item, played by four basses - two ladies and two gentlemen - stole the show in terms of novelty and humour, gaining rapt attention from an audience of about forty five ESO members, friends, relatives and patrons. The pattern of the evening was the now familiar musical sandwich, with layers of playing, eating and socialising.

Our Chairman thanked our Secretary for organising the event, expressing his pleasure that so many had been able to attend. In turn our Secretary said how pleased she was that several patrons had been able to join us, and thanked all the musicians, the helpers and the providers of the magnificent supper.

End of Season Dinner July 7th 2003

Our return to the ALMA (pictured below) for our end of season social event of 2002/2003, must be a compliment to the management, the cheerful serving staff and the excellent chef, but it makes it very difficult for the Webmaster, who, having set himself the task of chronicling our social scene, cannot think of something new to say. It was almost a rerun, equally enjoyable, with about the same number of members around the same u-shaped table with friends, partners, spouses and relatives. Oh - but there weren't any candles and the Chairman's statement was even more concise and to the point.

Music in the Summerhouse June 29th 2003

It is nice to play for pure, relaxed enjoyment, without the pressure which sometimes goes with rehearsals and public performances. Over the past few years, a longserving member of the ESO and his very generous neighbour have provided a venue for such a carefree event, giving us the use of their extensive gardens and a summerhouse. About twenty orchestra members and musical friends attended this year's playthrough of Benjanmin Britten's 'Simple Symphony'. The basic material for this work was written by Britten when he was between the ages of nine and fourteen (he later orchestrated this early work). It was just the right length and depth of interest for an afternoon playthrough.
It was a beautiful, sunny day, and tea in the garden, with cakes provided by ESO members, was very welcome.

End of Season Dinner July 15th 2002

Monday night on the 15th July at 7.30 pm, a day often given to the last rehearsal, was 'all change' for 2001/2002. Bows, reeds and mouthpieces were put down in favour of knives and forks, and these instruments were manipulated with equal skill by ESO members. They were joined by friends, partners, spouses and relatives, a jolly and rather noisy party of forty which dined and supped well by candlelight at the Alma, Arbour Lane Chelmsford, a hostelry of great character well known to senior committee members (pictured left). The party, seated around a u-shaped table, almost filled the cosy dining area.
The Chairman waived his speech, but rose to thank the committee, the secretary and ancillary workers for their efforts over the 2001/2002 season.

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Musical Evening February 16th 2002

Members of the orchestra saw some of their compatriots in a surprising new light at a musical evening arranged for members only at a church hall in Chelmsford.

• The leader of the 'cellos played piano in an unusual trio combination.

• A member who recently joined the ESO as first violin was seen to be an accomplished bassoonist.

• The ESO's principal flautist played a duet with his wife on guitar.

• A group of four 'cellos and two violas played an arrangement of two popular songs by the nephew of an ESO member.

There was food and drink and natter, of course, and the evening was arranged like a sandwich as follows:-

Thirty six people, members relatives and friends, attended this very successful evening organised by Hilary Cheek, the orchestra's Honorary Secretary.

This Website's Second Birthday

The ESO web-site was launched in February 2000. In February 2002 The webmaster thought it deserved a birthday party and bought it a cake at Sainsbury's (No sponsorship involved!). Decorated with two candles the cake was formally cut by the conductor, Antoine Mitchell, during the coffee break at rehearsal as the picture shows. It was gone in a flash.
Over the two years the webmaster has received countless application to join, or to play with us, and several of today's valued members were introduced through the site.

End of Season Barbecue

On the Sunday before the last rehearsal of the 2000/2001 season, about thirty people, members of the orchestra and their families, enjoyed a barbecue in a marvellous garden setting in the country near Chelmsford. Our then chairman, and the publicity officer, turned cook for the afternoon and lightly charred chicken, chops and sausages; the insides were done to a turn. A speciality was a delicious marinated cheese provided by the leader of the 'cellos. The Chairman's powerful 'barbie' was made in Australia and saw long service in Singapore until the early eighties, when it was shipped to England (at some cost, being a heavy beast). Of course, the ladies did all the hard work, providing salad accompaniments and other refreshments, and they probably cleared up afterwards.
After the meal, Croquet was played by the young and fit, and some of the children put on a Punch and Judy show. The social side of the orchestra is very important, because rehearsals and concerts are quite demanding, and do not always provide time for members to get to know one another personally.