Ulster Society of Organists and Choirmasters

U.S.O.C. Newsletter - August 2000

AUTUMN APPOINTMENTS

As the sights and sounds of marching feet, beating drums and fluttering banners mercifully recede and the Society stirs from its summer siesta, two events are planned for the month of September. On Friday 8th the Society's Annual Dinner will be enjoyed in the pleasant ambience of the Royal Ulster Yacht Club in Bangor. It's scheduled for 7:30 for 8 pm and the charge per person will be £23.50 for the meal including wine or £20.50 without wine and including a soft drink. Replies should be with me not later than Friday 25th August (I shall be away from home the following week) using the reply-slip appended. On this occasion the maximum number which can be accommodated is 40 so replies will be processed strictly in order of receipt; members whose applications arrive too late to be accepted will be informed.

To reach the Royal Ulster Yacht Club (a large, red brick edifice overlooking Belfast Lough) drive up Bangor High Street and at the top turn left into Clifton Road; entrance to the club is at the far end of this road where it joins Ward Avenue.

A HILL IN BELFAST

At the Dinner this year's distinguished guest will be David Hill (Organist and Master of the Choristers at Winchester Cathedral) and at 3 pm the following Saturday, 9th September, at St George's Church, Belfast, he will present a lecture/demonstration entitled 'GIVING VOICE' offering (his words) "tips on improving the sound of your choir" and using an ad hoc vocal ensemble to illustrate.

Mr Hill is travelling to Northern Ireland specially to be with us so please do your best to reveal that our Society is active, alert and appreciative by being present. A generous grant towards the considerable costs involved in organising this event has been made by the Incorporated Association of Organists to which our Society is affiliated and to which we are most grateful.

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

And the equivocation is not entirely unintentional! Enclosed is a copy of our updated membership list. We are much indebted to Ian Hunter for his help in its preparation. Unfortunately about 45 members ignored my plea for return of the personal data slip but the list is otherwise as accurate as responses received permitted. If any corrections do need to be made please let me know as soon as possible.

The new list includes the e-mail addresses of members affluent enough to afford this facility, though I must confess to having some empathy with the young member (still in your 20s, Nigel?) who beside the line "E-Mail Address" wrote "What's That?"! And just to avoid possible disappointment I should perhaps assure you that contacting the addresses described at "Hotmail" will not necessarily expose you to a deluge of pornographic material!

VACANT CONSOLES:

1 At St Katharine's Parish Church, Dunlambert Park, Belfast; two Sunday services with "short choir practice after evening service". For reasons not elucidated this situation is defined as "would suit music student". Details from Revd William Taggart. Tel: 9077 7647.

2 At Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church, Bangor; "a part-time position of approximately 15 hours a week, with an attractive salary". To discover how attractive (and other details) contact the church office. Tel: 9147 3213.

MANX MUSIC

An Isle of Man Organ Festival is to be held this year from 22nd to 24th September, including recitals by Carlo Curley, Gordon Stewart and Ian Tracey. To obtain a copy of their programme 'phone the Erin Arts Centre (016 2483 5858) and for information from an agency offering attractive inclusive transport/accommodation deals contact Travel Services, Isle of Man (016 2466 1177).

DUBLIN DISC

A new CD of the organ of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, (arguably the finest organ on the island) has just been made by Assistant Organist David Leigh - the first recording made since the 1994-95 Harrison restoration. His programme includes Dupré's Deux Esquisses, Liszt's Funerailles (trans Kynaston), Reger's Introduction, Variations and Fugue, and an arrangement of Sullivan's 'Yeomen of the Guard' Overture. Copies (IR£10.00) obtainable from the Cathedral and payment can be made by Visa/Mastercard.

That's all for now but please remember that dinner applications need to be with me by August 25th.

RSB/IAFH
03/08/00


USOC ANNUAL DINNER : FRIDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER 2000

Member's Name : _____________________________ Tel No: ________________

(a) DINNER INCLUDING WINE: ___ person/s @ £23.50 Sub-Total: £_____

Please reserve ___ place/s for ______________________________________________________________

(b) DINNER INCLUDING SOFT DRINK: ___ person/s @ £20.50 Sub-Total: £_____

Please reserve ___ place/s for ______________________________________________________________

TOTAL: £_____ cheque payable to USOC

If possible please seat with ________________________________________________________________.

ONLY 40 APPLICATIONS ACCEPTABLE - FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED
Unsuccessful applicants will be informed
RETURN TO THE HONORARY SECRETARY ASAP AND NOT LATER THAN 25TH AUGUST

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