2026 is a transitional year for us, as we are looking forward to working with a new Musical Director/Conductor, since Robin Versteeg had to announce his departure last year. We have been so fortunate to find Ian Sharp and James Ross willing to step in for the Playthrough day in February and the Concert just now on 9 May in Midmills Church (former Crown) which featured the harp (with its talented young player Abigail Miller Todd) in all three items of the programme: Debussy’s Petite Suite, Ravel’s MaMere l’Oye and a Harp Concerto by Gliere. We thank both Ian and James for helping us out.
The second half of this year will give us an opportunity to play Mahler 1 on a Playthrough Day. This plan had to be cancelled last year, because of adverse weather, but Robin has agreed to come and conduct this day on Sunday 23 August. For our Autumn concert we have managed to book Tim Barrett as a Conductor for the rehearsals (31 Oct/1 Nov) and concerts (14/15 Nov) in Findhorn and Grantown.
Programme: Brahms Symphony no 4, Richard Strauss Serenade for Winds and Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto with soloist Caireen Bell who is based in Findhorn.
Looking ahead to 2027:
We have had conversations with Dr Steve King MBE, former Head of Music at Heriot-Watt University. Steve brings a wealth of conducting experience and, as a very longstanding viola player in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, a rich knowledge of chamber orchestra repertoire. Already Steve has been able to advise us on repertoire choices and he has committed himself to all our events in 2027:
*Playthrough Days on Sunday 28 February and Sunday 31 October
*Concerts on Sunday 9 May and Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September, with rehearsals
on Sunday 25 April and Saturday 8 May and Sat 28 and Sun 29 August.
*Repertoire items are likely to be:
Mussorgsky Pictures of an Exhibition (new arrangement)
Mozart Oboe Concerto and Symphony nr 39
Beethoven Symphony nr 6, Emperor Concerto and Egmont Overture
Vaughan Williams Symphony nr 5
We are excited about this new development for our orchestra and look forward to having many of you join us for all or some of these occasions. Our fixers will be in touch with you, according to the orchestrations of the various works. Meanwhile we want to thank you for all your support, either by playing, or membership,
or coming to listen.