Exeter Music Group Symphony Orchestra Mahler's Eighth Symphony Exeter University Great Hall 5pm Sunday 16 September 2012 - final rehearsals

EMG Director or Music, Marion Wood
conducts rehearsals in St Peter's School gymnasium

The weekend of 7th - 9th September was a very busy one for Marion Wood and the Exeter Music Group Symphony Orchestra. Two adult choirs, and the Devon County Junior Choir, joined forces to prepare both parts of Mahler's Eighth Symphony - the hymn 'Veni Creator Spiritus' and a musical seting of the closing scene of Goethe's 'Faust'.

The full orchestra were there for a run through on Friday night. Then the choirs worked at their parts all weekend before the big rehearsal on Sunday afternoon.

Coordinating these enormous forces was the the EMG Director of Music, Marion Wood. With so many voices and instruments, this is going to be an exceptional performance. To hear this premier performance for the South West, we need to make our way to the University Great Hall this Sunday afternoon - cream teas from 3.30pm, Mahler's Eighth Symphony at 5pm. (details below)

NB - there will be a wealth of amazing soloists at the Great Hall:
regular EMG soloists, soprano Catherine Hamilton and mezzo-soprano Alison Kettlewell,
will be joined by
sopranos: Iris Korfker and Héloïse West
mezzo soprano: Juliet Curnow
tenor: Graham Neal
baritone: Julian Rippon
Bass: Simon Trist

Catherine Hamilton
& Alison Kettlewell

Iris Korfker

Héloïse West

Juliet Curnow

Graham Neal

 

Julian Rippon

 







Meanwhile, at Sunday's rehearsal . . .

Percussionist John McAvoy
improvises a 'bell'
for the hymn 'Veni Creator Spitirus'
using a ten foot metal tube

Violist Fenny Gill
welcomes the Devon County Junior Choir

Junior Choir Director, Rachel Smith
makes sure everyone is singing
from the same hymnsheet

with trumpet accompaniment

Marion and Rachel exchange notes

Marion advises the clarinettists

Bass Clarinettist Linda Jordan

Piano - Rebecca Willson
(plus harmonium and celeste)

A clutch of bassoons
Bass Chris Eddington sits in for
Prue Tasman
(Prue will be back in action on Sunday)

Chris Eddington has his big moment

Cor Anglais Kate Osbourne

EMG Treasurer Charles Dowell
leads the trombones

Strings!

Tympani - Ali Board

fingertip control

- of a mighty orchestra and choir

Leader Clare Smith
shouts a vote of thanks
- to Marion Wood

Exeter Music Group is a family friendly orchestra!
Violist Rebecca Springall and baby Irwen

Last to leave
'cellists Carol Galton & Yvonne Ashby

EMG Conductor: Marion Wood

Exeter Music Group Symphony Orchestra
Exeter University Great Hall
Sunday 16 September 5pm
Mahler's Eighth Symphony
('Symphony of a Thousand')
Director: Marion Wood
Leader: Clare Smith
EMG orchestra and choir
Devon County Youth Choir
Director: Rachel Smith
Tickets: Gallery £15
Ground Floor: front £12 rear £10
(ground floor student/U16 half price)
box office 01392 493493
Northcott website
Cream Tea: 3.30-4.45pm  £3.35
check EMG website for details