I always like to respond to emails as quickly as I can. I don’t always manage, but I do my best. I received one the other day that I don’t really know how to respond to. I’d appreciate your thoughts on this one!
“……. In fact I’ve found the mag rather overwhelmingly upbeat and tend to go for a quieter approach to music. I’m also lucky in being able to create opportunities within school for pupil performance. I have pinned up the application forms (and am delighted by your success) for any students who may be attracted to it. I find the logo rather off-puttingly babyish, as I suspect would some young musicians, but each to his own I guess…….. ”
This is obviously from a teacher who, as far as I am aware, hasn’t seen the current magazine with our new layout. Any thoughts?
It’s a bit of a boring time of year, lots of work being done but not much to show for it.
Our three main areas of work are:
- the website (you’ll notice big differences soon)
- marketing Flutewise (getting more members)
- looking for new residential venues.
We really need to increase our membership to help make our Barbican event successful. So anything you can think of would be very much appreciated.
We’ve been really happy for the last few years having one course up at Abbotsholme and the rest at Ovingdean Hall, Brighton. Sadly, they are changing management policy at Ovingdean. They are planning to hire the building out for weddings next year and therefore they’ve said they don’t want our bookings. It’s a bit daft I think – I would never turn good, repeat business away in the hope some one-off bookings might turn up. But that’s their choice. I love going to Ovingdean for the feel of the building and the great food, but it’s not perfect by any stretch of the imagination.
I’ve a few potential places to see and I’ve probably got a fantastic one (similar standard to Abbotsholme) but we can’t use it until 2010 – quite some time away yet. Many places don’t hire their facilities at all or, if they do, they are fully booked or they are very expensive because they target businesses with big budgets.
I’ll keep looking. It’s quite interesting really. I’ll let you know when I’ve found somewhere.
I hope your new magazine has arrived. Please let us know!!
If you go to page 8 you will find a competition to win a flute from John Packer Ltd. All you need to do to enter is email them with an answer to a question. To find the answer you need to go to the John Packer website – click on the flute link, then click on the information abut the JP111 MK111 flute and you will be able to find the answer. Let me know if you enter (and win!)
On of our Flutewise members, Ruth Montgomery writes:
‘I know it might be a really big ask considering that the notice is quite short, but I have just had an idea that I wish to let many flutists know that Wibb is playing in Newbury in three weeks time. It may appeal to FluteWise members living in the Berkshire/Hampshire area to hear him play, and the tickets are only priced at £8!
He is going to be playing at the Arlington Arts Centre in Newbury on Thursday 16th October, which is a purpose built venue set in the grounds of what also happens to be a home to a school for Deaf children. He will be running a masterclass where around 20 musicians who are deaf performing to him. In the evening at 7pm, Wibb – with the pianist John Reid will play a selection of recital pieces. I will be playing a couple of duets with him, as well as some pupils from the school playing. As it is a very strong fluting event with young people, I am hoping you would be very happy to tell people in your mailing list/blog. For more information please click http://www.maryhare.org.uk/?id=arts_whatson and www.mofl.co.uk. Let me know if you are able to help. It is going to be amazing to hear Wibb perform!’
Sounds good to me.