News from the WCO
The orchestra at last term's dress rehearsal as it prepared for the Christmas concert.
New term about to begin
Although it starts in the depths of winter, the next term is the spring term, and for us, it starts on Thursday January 12th, 2012. From then on, we will meet as usual on Thursdays at 7.00 p.m. at the Dedworth Green Baptist Church. Full details, including all the term's dates, can be found on the "This term" page.
To join the orchestra, you can use the form on the "Contact us" page, e-mail Elaine at wco@windsororchestra.org.uk, call on 01753 859123, or even just turn up, instrument in hand, at one of the rehearsals.
Christmas concert a glittering success
Winter! What does that mean to you? Maybe cowering in coats, shivering in scarfs and running from rain. Or maybe it means looking forward to Christmas, presents and carols!
The orchestra helped the Christmas spirit arrive with a stunning Christmas concert. It featured Mozart, themes from Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, arranged by our director Elaine Foakes and a Christmas medley of popular seasonal tunes and carols.
As well as the orchestra's pieces, we had no less than 12 soloists, which is rather fitting for Christmas, and made this one of the longest and most ambitious concerts yet performed by the Windsor Community Orchestra. Yet again, individuals and small groups showed off their musical talent, from a saxophone quintet, string trio and a recorder solo.
Supporting the Macmillan Cancer Support
As always, the concerts are put on free of charge, but we do ask for donations at the door which we give to a charity nominated by the orchestra. This year, we are delighted to support Macmillan Cancer Support, and over £80 was raised by the concert for this good cause.
First year celebration for Dedworth Green Baptist Church
Almost 1 year ago, the orchestra was delighted to be able to move into the brand new building built for the Dedworth Green Baptist Church. It's a wonderfully light and airy building with great acoustics for the orchestra to play in, and we're delighted that the church allows us to use their building for our rehearsals and concerts.
The church celebrated its first year in the building with an open weekend on the 24th and 25th September, 2011. It included all sorts of community events, and the orchestra was delighted to be part of the church's celebrations. We played some of our more popular pieces from past concerts in a special celebration performance in the afternoon.
The trumpet section at DGBC's open day
Oakley Green and Fifield Food, Wine and Ales Fair
For the third year running, the orchestra appeared at the Oakley Green, Fifield and District Community Association's Food, Wine and Ales Fair.
The fair was held on the 10th July, 2011 at the Braywood Memorial Hall and provided a great time of food, drink and entertainment. The money raised went to a good cause (the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust).
The orchestra played twice, with a set featuring ome of its more popular pieces from past performances, including Strauss's Radetzky March, Elgar's Land of Hope and Glory and other pieces both classical and modern. Between the 2 sets, a youth string ensemble called the String Thing entertained the food enthusiasts. This ensemble featured some of the more youthful players from the orchestra's string section and their friends.
It was a great day out, with a number of interesting food stalls giving the local people something to really sink their teeth into! This is an event the orchestra really enjoys being part of, even if the diet that has to start the next day.
About the orchestra
The Windsor Community Orchestra is a local orchestra for all ages, including children above 9 years old, young people and adults, who meet to learn a wide range of music and perform together in the community. We welcome players of any grade or ability, but the orchestra is designed for those under grade 5.
You can find more details in the "About us" page.