Youlgreave 5th - 7th April 2019
After The Beast from the East destroyed our planned return to Youlgreave in 2018 by depositing bucket loads of snow over the entire area, we tried again this year and were rewarded with beautiful sunshine throughout the weekend. The village hall there is beginning to feel like home now, and is where we performed – very nervously – our first ever concert under Jane’s leadership three years ago. The repertoire has changed considerably since then and the level, both of our playing and of our confidence, has also increased. Frances was again masterminding the weekend and everything went extremely smoothly, so huge thanks are due to her.
Again we had a very intensive, but productive rehearsal session on the Saturday. We had a new arrangement for one of the pieces and two new additions to the repertoire so we had a lot to get through. Jane continues to pinpoint details in our technique and playing, and it is very satisfying when we all do it well at the same time! We did however manage to fit in a much needed and very relaxing walk in the late afternoon and everyone came back much refreshed.
We had decided to do some recording and videoing in the evening, the thinking being that we would be less nervous with no audience there! So we all got dressed up in our finery and, even though we did still get nervous, we managed, hopefully, to get some decent and recent video footage to put up on Youtube. Then we all had fun taking some group photos which we can use on the publicity.
Sunday morning saw more rehearsal and then the mad dash to get lunch, set up the hall and cake stall, get changed and remember to breathe before the concert started. There had been a really good response, both via email and the ticketing system, in advance of the concert, but we were still amazed to see the hall filling up really quickly, with more chairs being put out at regular intervals. Debi gave us all a wonderfully relaxing warm up and then we were on!
What a fabulous audience, so responsive and encouraging – there was a real buzz in the air. The concert went really well, Jan made a most successful debut appearance with the Basso, and there were so many compliments from members of the audience afterwards – one of our best ever. And we made a record amount selling the teas and cakes – hardly any cake left over at the end at all!
Our next weekend will be in Aspley Heath (near Milton Keynes!) where we will be performing in the evening in St. Michael’s Church on Saturday 18th May. If you live within travelling distance please do come and see us.
