ACTIVITIES

Since my last news letter I am pleased to confirm that the ensembles in North Wiltshire known as North Wiltshire Young Musicians have become affiliated to WWYM. This means they are part of our financial and administrative organisation. They include North Wiltshire Junior Strings conductor Hilary Mason, Wootton Bassett Young Singers conductor Ursula Barham and North Wiltshire Young Musicians Choir conductor Max More. Ursula Barham  has also become Assistant Head of the WMS with management responsibilities for Kennet and North Wiltshire.

The Howard Evans Memorial Concert which the WWSE were involved with raised over £1000 for the Dorothy House Hospice.

As the academic year comes to a close you will be aware of the many varied concerts that are about to take place. Indeed we are doing two concerts in Devizes this year, both in the Town Hall and the Corn Exchange. A high light in the Summer Festival at the WMC will be the first movement of the Hummel trumpet concerto performed by the WWYO, soloist Russell Jackson. For something a little different members of the WWSE are off to see the ‘Buddy Holly Story’ at the Bristol Hippodrome.

STAFF CHANGES

We are very pleased to welcome back Claire Schollick as conductor of CJW. Once again a very sincere thank you to Wendy Smith for doing such a fantastic job while Claire was away. Kim Rance conductor of WWJW has now gone on maternity leave; she plans to come back after Christmas. I am very grateful to Celia Harries for taking over the band, also to Angela Mumford who will be her assistant.

FUND RAISING

You may remember Angela Henshall and her fund raising efforts with Betterware. Angela has done it again raising £148.56p with Chocoholics. A sincere thank you to her and to all of you who took part. We have also had a very generous donation from the Bradford on Avon Rotary Club for £436.27p.

WWYM MUSIC LIBRARY

Ian and Pat Ham continue to work sorting out our vast library of music. In addition to that they have sorted all our past programmes which include nearly every concert that every ensemble has done over the last twenty six years. The first concert was in 1980, the first programme we have is December 1983. Tickets were £1.00 and 50p. These programmes are available for viewing.

I have been asked by the committee for copies of photos taken at concerts and events, these are great for displays. Also if you have any old instruments you would care to donate, these can be sold at auction to raise funds or be repaired for children to use in schools.

Finally can I just mention that all the dates for the start of next term have been stated in your concert letters. All the dates for next year are on our web site www.wwym.org.uk  Please take note of our future events list which gives you information about the concerts. May I take this opportunity to thank you for all your hard work this year and have a great summer holiday.

James Monckton

Musical Director WWYM