2008 pocket diary

Boosey and Hawkes 2008 diary is now on sale, packed with musical information including a glossary of obscure musical terms so that you know what to do when you see Andante lusingando. However, I looked in vain for Allegro orgoglioso! There is an extensive list of performers and composers dates, of concert halls, orchestras, and much else, so extensive that only the young will read it without a magnifying glass. If you don’t need one for the music pages you certainly will for the Underground. Calendars usefully take us forward to 2010. £5.99

Death of OSO’s first leader

Renée Dammers, Oare String Orchestra’s first leader from 1982 to 1987, died at her home near Chelmsford, Essex, on 7 October. Flowers were sent on behalf of the orchestra. The service was attended by Janet Ash, OSO’s first secretary, who knew Renée well. Born in Amsterdam, Renée was 13 when war broke out. She grew up during the difficult years of the German occupation, studying at the Amsterdam Conservatoire. Marriage to an industrial chemist brought her to Cheshire, then to Sittingbourne, where she returned her violin and started teaching and playing in a demonstration quartet, as well as leading local orchestras.

Greetings from Neil Bramson

Thanks to soloist Tony Halstead (September 2007), and his genealogy research, we made contact after twelve years with composer Neil Bramson, whose Horn Concertino Tony performed. Neil’s was one of the winning works in our 1995 Composing Competition, when it was played by Peter Hatfield, son of cellist Etain Hatfield. Peter is still in the horn section of the Trondheim SO.

Says Neil Bramson in his letter; “Many congratulations on the 25th Anniversary of OSO! You and all the members must be very proud of its success over the years. I was absolutely delighted to hear from Tony that my Concertino was to be included in the Faversham concert.

All good wishes to you and the orchestra – here’s to the next 25!”