Received 10th August - Northern Ayres

I'm helping the management of a small semi-pro orchestra also based in Walthamstow. It's run by a local composer, Geoffrey Alvarez, and focuses on contemporary music. It played a successful concert of Anglo-Polish music (at the Polish Embassy) in January under the 'Northern Ayres' banner and is completing this season - November 15-16 at St John's Smith Square - with more Anglo-Polish contemporary music, including by Diana Burrell, Aleksander Tansman and G Alvarez. It's looking for more players, especially violas and other strings, to join its ensemble There will be auditions in Walthamstow - more details about this and other related matters to follow.

  

Chris Cunninghame chriscuninghame@yahoo.co.uk
 

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BBC Maestro

The first show goes out on 12 August on BBC2, which features the ‘baton camp’ they had to go through before one was knocked out and the rest let loose on us. They then face the BBC Concert Orchestra every week, and one gets voted off by the jury (headed by Sir Roger Norrington) and the orchestra until the end when the public votes and the winner conducts a piece at the Proms in the Park.  

Tickets have all been taken.

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Received 01-JULY-2008

I am writing regarding possible opportunities for maintaining and repairing musical instruments used by Members of the Forest Philharmonic. We would like the opportunity to offer you our services.

Greenwich Strings is a new business based in South-East London offering a comprehensive repair and maintenance service for all stringed instruments, including bow repairs and re-hair service. All our work is undertaken with care and all repairs are guaranteed for a minimum of one year.

I run Greenwich Strings with assistance from other makers. I am fully qualified (BA Hons. Music Technology [Musical Instruments]) and have also won awards as an instrument maker, most recently the prestigious Tom Jenkins Award for excellence in musical instrument making. Our rates are competitive and we would be willing to undertake your members' repairs of stringed instruments.

As well as instrument repairs we can offer you a set up service to ensure your members are getting the most from their instruments. We are able to offer a supply of affordable strings and accessories and used and new instruments. We offer a free appraisal/estimate service and also a free collection service should you decide that we can be of service.

Please feel free to contact me via email or telephone (07828100630) to discuss you needs and how we can help you.

Tobye Le Vaillant [greenwichstrings@hotmail.co.uk]