We are hoping that this will become an 'open page' with relevant contributions from those who would like to add something about the developing history of the Orchestra.  If you have something to add, please email it to us  here as a plain text Word document.

 

Formation of the Orchestra

 

By Malcolm Reid 7th August 2008

 

The Yardarm Folk Orchestra was  formed during July 2008 in Southend on Sea, Essex, UK.  About 25 members of the Thamesgate Traditional Arts Association expressed an interest in forming a 'band' with a view to giving performances of traditional folk music in our region.  There was already an invitation for a group of us to play at the open day of the Westcliff Land Cultivation Society on the 3rd August.

 

We held two practices, on the 21st and 28th of July.  Some of our musicians were relatively inexperienced and/or quite new to folk music so  our repertoire was limited, but we managed to put together 18 tunes and songs, divided them as logically as possible into 5 seperate sets and prepared them.  We performed those tunes at the open day and it was a very successful event.  Nineteen of our members turned out that day - playing percussion, accordions, fiddle, whistles, flutes, recorders, banjo, melodeons and harmonica.  The feedback from the organisers and patrons of the event was very pleasing and we were 'told' that we would be playing there again next year!

 

We originally referred to ourselves as a 'band' but, with so many interested musicians, and the opportunity to develop strongly, we decided to go for the more ambitious term 'Orchestra' right away.  The name Yardarm was derived from the name of the monthly Folk Music Session presented by the Thamesgate Traditional Arts Association at Leigh on Sea.

 

 

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Progress Meeting 25th August 2008

 

By Malcolm Reid 27th August 2008

 

A meeting of 25 members, with six apologies for absence, took place at the Trinity Methodist Church hall, Westcliff on Sea, on Monday 25th August 2008.  It was enthusiastically agreed that we would push ahead with developing the Orchestra.  It was strongly re-affirmed that we want our participation to be pleasurable and fun and that, whilst we want to play well, we don't want to be tied down by 'technicalities'.  We are totally committed to maintaining the traditions and styles of British Folk Music.  We do not expect Folk Music to change for us!  It was also determined that the Orchestra is open to players of any level ability on two understandings - first, all members will always strive to improve their performance and, second, that members will only be expected to contribute according to their level of ability.  There will be no segregation or 'streaming' of players nor the forming of 'elite groups' - this is in keeping with the philosophies and aims of the Thamesgate Traditional Arts Association. 

 

There was discussion about a number of aspects, especially that of music selection, arrangement and music dynamics.  Thoughts about transitions (from tune to tune or set to set), setting out the Orchestra and other details were all discussed and each of these matters is being examined by specialised sub groups who will report back to the committee (see below) and all members.

 

It was agreed in principle that members would like to play at the Rayleigh Arts Festival in October 2008 if it appears that we have something appropriate to offer at that event.  Enquiries are being made.  We are continuously looking for opportunities to play.

 

A sub-committee (of the Thamesgate Traditional Arts Association main committee, which administers the Orchestra) is overseeing development and its members are all directly involved with the orchestral group.  The members of the sub-committee are Terry Docherty, Deborah Mathews, Dick Mathews and Malcolm Reid.

 

 

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Appointment of Orchestra Director 19th January 2009

 

By Malcolm Reid 20th January 2009

 

On 19th January about 28 members of the Orchestra attended a meeting and practice at the Trinity Church Hall at 7.45 pm.  There were four apologies for absence.  It was announced that Sally Lucas has been appointed honorary Director of the Orchestra and that it would be she who would, in the main, run the development and various activities of the YFO.  It was emphasised that we would need to focus ourselves on the tasks at hand and give Sally our full attention and co-operation. 

 

Members were given a brief outline of the direction that the Orchestra would hopefully take and the guidelines that we would use.  Members were advised that the guidelines were still under discussion and that they would be formulated soon.  It was foreshadowed that we would be taking out a group public liability insurance policy.  It was also advised that Paul Mitchell had been appointed as our music arranger and that he would oversee the development of our repertoire.

 

The main part of the evening, led by Sally, involved practising and improving our playing of a number of our familiar tunes.  Everyone enjoyed the event and there was a recognisable improvement in the standard of our playing even in such a short time.  We shall continue practice on the third Monday of EVERY month.

 

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Appointment of Arrange/Librarian

 

By Malcolm Reid 1st March 2009

 

 

Paul Mitchell has been appointed as the music Arranger/Librarian for the Orchestra. 

 

At the practice on February 16th, members were given a copy of the YFO's guidelines for members and were informed that the Orchestra would be seeking liability insurance and membership of the National Federation of Music Societies (Making Music).

 

 

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Change of Leadership/ Successful Summer 

 

By Terry Docherty 27th July 2009

 

The Yardarm Folk Orchestra is now a full member of the NFMS (Making Music) and has taken out public liability and employers' liability insurance.  The YFO Society is also recognised as an unregistered charitable society and the Trustees are Terry Docherty, Malcolm Reid, Dick Mathews and Deborah Mathews.

 

The YFO has continued to develop well and the full orchestra has played at two significant events this summer - the Chalkwell School Centenary Fete on 13th June and the Southend Community in Harmony Big Event on 21st June at Southend High School for Boys.  The performances were enjoyed by the participants and audiences alike and the experience gained was invaluable.  Several smaller groups of YFO members have played at other events, including two performances at the Parklands Residential Home in Benfleet and at a private party in Westcliff on 4th July. 

 

Orchestra Leader Sally Lucas stood down on 15th July, mainly due to the pressure of the work for her extended music studies.  The Trustees and members thanked Sally for her excellent hard work during the YFO's first formative months.  The Trustees decided to eliminate the post of Orchestra Director and to replace it with one of Orchestra Leader.  Malcolm Reid has been appointed Orchestra Leader and he has appointed a team of 'lead musicians' from amongst YFO members.  They are Jack Forbes (woodwind), Barry Anderson (accordions), Paul Mitchell (strings, rhythm and percussion) and Deborah Mathews (melodeons).   Together they will develop a leadership network for the Orchestra as it moves towards its goals.

 

 

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