Notes on works being performed in New Zealand

Weber

This work has quite a few nasty passages which I want to remain clear so my tempos may seem a little conservative to some of you, especially if you are wont to listen to Kleiber amongst others (who do have the Vienna Phil. at their disposal)

However:

· B9 Crotchet = 52, opening even more drawn out.

· B 37 minim = 112

· B 96 Minim = 108

· Letter C (B 123) Minim = 104

· B 138 a little faster circa 108 then letter D 112

· I do the stringendo into letter I but only to Minim = 120

· Letter K minim = 92

· B 282 minim = 108

· B 288 Minim = 112 which remains to the end although depending on how rehearsals go we might increase the last eight bars to 120.

Elgar

Tempos and rubato cannot be given at this stage until I have had a meeting with the soloist. I will try and call her to have a chat prior to the first rehearsal.

Brahms

Allegro non troppo

· Opening Crotchet = 104-108

· Letter C poco meno

· Letter D moves on again with the WW

· Letter M broadermoving forward at bar 153 – 155 and horn solo back to opening tempo

· Bar 477 (in tempo) Crotchet = 96

Adagio non troppo

· Crotchet = 50

· Letter A moves on just a bit pulling back again at B 28

Allegretto grazioso

· Crotchet = 92

· presto ma non assai dotted crotchet = 126

Allegro con spirito

· This movement relies on clarity of note making and my speed of Minim= 104 should allow this to happen.

· Letter C pulls back to circa minim = 92 – 96

· B 107 – 109 stringendo to opening tempo

· B 206 (letter I) minim = 76 then letter K 70 then letter the B 234 minim =60 returning to the opening tempo at in tempo

· The ending will probably ramp up a bit in tempo but no faster than 120 otherwise those passages at the end become blurred and indecisive.

1 FOLDERS -

Luggage is a bit tight. I would like to minimise the number of folders that we will take. Can you please let me know if you have printed out your parts and stuck them into a BLACK book for your desk and wish to use this instead of our lovely original parts? You may need to check with your deskie….if you don’t have their details please email me.

Likewise if you are planning to use an iPad and don’t need the folder let me know. Again check with your deskie…you can use TWO iPads on the same stand either separately OR they can be used “in two page mode”…did this last weekend at ADO - works very well! Need to download Forscore ‘Cue” app.

If you are using an iPad please make sure that you have downloaded the LATEST edits from the Box links on the website. I will be adding some edits for the WEBER Violin 1 & 2 and VIOLA tomorrow MORNING….

2 STANDS and SCONCES -

Please bring a stand. If your luggage is tight then perhaps get in touch with your deskie to make a plan. I would suggest bringing a light (sconce) if you have one as I’m unsure about the lighting at the rehearsal venue…

3 ORCHESTRA LIST

Please check this. It is also on the website. I haven’t put the wind allocations in for flutes and clarinets as I believe that you have discussed the division of labour to include doubling in the Brahms.

4 BUS TOUR

This is not going to be just a transfer but a tour - different route there and back which sounds lovely! Details are below -

We are expecting about 75 people over 2 buses so there will be plenty of room for luggage, instruments, and music stands. In our previous letter we gave details of a Tour Guide who could assist you if needed. He will travel with us and has arranged our sight-seeing along the way.

You will need cash/card to pay for entries into some venues and of course lunch money.

Just in case you have forgotten here is what we will do to and from Christchurch.

On the trip south to Dunedin, we will have a look at steampunk HQ, an art collaboration and gallery in the historic Victorian precinct of Oamaru, our lunch stop will be the Moeraki Boulders, then some sightseeing in Dunedin, a guided tour of the Settlers Museum (it is always better with a local guide) or a trip out to Tairoa head / Pukekura, world renowned as the only mainland colony of albatross in the southern hemisphere, before checking into our various hotels.

On the way back north, we intend to take the inland route via the Mackenzie country, view the lakes and the southern alps, a photo op of Aoraki/Mt Cook from Lake Pukaki, a chance to see some of the glaciers, lunch at Lake Tekapo, the church of the good shepherd, etc before arriving back in Christchurch.

5 WHATSAPP

Yep here it is - the social connection that you have all been waiting for! We will use this for communications whilst in NZ so please open the link and join up.

https://chat.whatsapp.com/LLJ9JwX2ncuBSQSPPRB8ja

6 ENTRY INTO NEW ZEALAND

One of our New Zealand doctors has provided this information.

Everyone must get a travel pass before they travel. This is done online and can be completed up to 28 days before travel.

https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/

I did not find it too difficult. You provide details of vaccination, flight details and contact information. They email back a document containing a QR code which must be shown when you check in for your flight and should be linked with your passport when you enter NZ by e gate.

You are issued with a box of RATs on arrival. You automatically get an email (presumably using the info provided in the travel pass) instructing you to do a test at day 0/1 with a link to report the test result online. Also very easy. I also believe another e mail will be sent for a test at day 4/5.

Please read the above carefully and ensure you complete the declaration in the appropriate time frame.

7 MONDAY NIGHT RECEPTION

The nice people at the Christchurch Foundation Trust have invited us for a tour of the hospital and drinkies after rehearsal on Monday late pm - -it is not very formal but a chance for them to say thanks to us! They have room for about 35 of us (given Covid restraints are still a thing in NZ….). Please make an effort to come but I realise that some of you will be a bit weary…

We haven’t really organised anything else too formal in the way of social events - the Dunedin Charity I believe are planning drinks for us after the show on Friday night - details to follow….

8 REHEARSAL VENUE & SCHEDULE

The name of the Venue is the Aldersgate and is located at 309 Durham Street North Christchurch. If interested their website can be found at https://aldersgate.org.nz/

Rehearsals are on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th at 9.30am in the Auditorium…but please come at 9am and get yourselves sorted early...

Everyone is just about in everything except no Tuba in WEBER. We will plan to rehearse the ELGAR late on Monday and early on Tuesday.

9 TICKET COMPS

We have been given comps for our guests for both concerts - we will have these and give them out to you at rehearsals. There should be enough for your travelling families and friends but the charities won’t mind t all if you wish to purchase tickets to help their causes!

10 CONCERT DRESS

Melbourne BLACK as usual. Nothing short please….and remember that it is COLD over there…..

11 MASKS

These won’t be mandatory at rehearsal but please do as you feel comfortable. We will need to wear them on the BUS I believe…and even if not compulsory I would strongly suggest that you bring some proper N95 units esp for the bus.

11th August 2022

Dear Orchestra,

As we approach our upcoming concert dates in Christchurch and Dunedin, we wish to advise the following.

SUBS and Others

Many thanks to those that have paid their subs. If you have a family member attending, have you paid their fee. (See next paragraph). If you haven’t paid your $750.00, please do so as soon as possible as it is now overdue. Payment should be made in the same manner as normal Subs making sure you use the drop-down box for Corpus.

FAMILY MEMBERS coming on Tour.

The fee for your family member is $200.00. This covers some costs and their seat on the bus between Christchurch and Dunedin and return. This can also be paid as above.

Please let Michael know as soon as possible so we can have exact numbers for the bus company and for the arranging of complimentary tickets to each of the concerts.

Please advise Michael Sharpe once any fee has been paid. ( sharpieboy456@gmail.com )

TRAVEL DETAILS.

To keep track of you all just in case of emergency please also let Michael know of your contact details in NZ. There is a form on the website that can be copy and pasted and then emailed to Michael. Thanks again to those that have done this.

ENTRY INTO NEW ZEALAND.

One of our New Zealand doctors has provided this information.

Everyone must get a travel pass before they travel. This is done online and can be completed up to 28 days before travel.

https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/

Please read the above carefully and ensure you complete the declaration in the appropriate time frame.

MUSIC STANDS

Please bring your own music stands as there are none available for hire.

REHEARSAL VENUE.

The name of the Venue is the Aldersgate and is located at 309 Durham Street North Christchurch. If interested their website can be found at https://aldersgate.org.nz/

Rehearsals are on Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th at 9.30am in the Auditorium.

GOING OUT IN CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN.

Nothing formal has been planned other than the concerts. We believe restaurants can be difficult to get into on short notice so please book ahead to avoid disappointment. Please also arrange your own sight-seeing. Note Gavin can help. (See next paragraph)

BUS TRIP TO DUNEDIN AND TOUR IDEAS/CONTACT

The information below has come from a very kind gentleman who is helping us out with the buses between Christchurch and Dunedin. He wanted to give you some information that may help with your time in New Zealand.

Hi guys, Gavin here from Christchurch, NZ.

I am here to help Michael out with some of the logistics and make sure you guy have a memorable time in New Zealand. To make it even more memorable, consider inviting some of your friends and family to enjoy it with you. There is plenty to do, while they wait for the concerts. They will enjoy not just the music but as much of the South Island as we can comfortably see, without going overboard.

Christchurch is a little over an hour away from Mt Hutt, the highest ski field in New Zealand and it is the ski season. A chance to spend a day there, they also have a brand-new hot pool facility in Methven so something new if for those who have been here before. Maybe we could do a combined trip, skiing followed by a soak on the way back to Christchurch? If skiing or boarding is not your thing, perhaps a lord of the rings trip to Mt Sunday, right into the middle of the Southern Alps? Or a bit of sightseeing around the newest City in New Zealand, (thanks to the earthquakes a decade ago). We have rebuilt most of the city and have some great facilities including the Margret Mahey playground for kids of all ages, Riverside market, or a tour of the city and it surrounds. Your guests will have plenty to do or just relax if they prefer.

On the trip south to Dunedin, have a look at steampunk HQ, an art collaboration and gallery in the historic Victorian precinct of Oamaru, our lunch stop will be the Moeraki Boulders, then some sightseeing in Dunedin, a guided tour of the Settlers Museum (it is always better with a local guide) or a trip out to Tairoa head / Pukekura, world renowned as the only mainland colony of albatross in the southern hemisphere, before checking into our various hotels.

Our aim is to make the trip, successful, memorable, and enjoyable while seeing some of the unique scenery that we have to offer, without making it a marathon. Relaxed, co-ordinated, and as efficient as we can. For some, it will not be your first trip to New Zealand, but we hope to make it your best trip to New Zealand.

To make things a little easier and for those who have yet to book accommodation in Dunedin, may I suggest the Southern Cross hotel, it is in a good location, Dunedin has heaps of hills and this one is on the flat, easy walking distance to the town hall, plenty of parking, big enough for everyone, a couple of bars and restaurants. https://www.scenichotelgroup.co.nz/locations/new-zealand/dunedin/scenic-hotel-southern-cross

The accommodation suggestions for Christchurch are good, my recommendation would be the Fino hotel and suites, right across the road from the Town Hall at 86 Kilmore Street.

This is a brilliant cause and I want to do my part to make it as successful as we can. I am happy to put together an accommodation package for anyone who wants one and at good rates.

Looking forward to seeing you in New Zealand in September.

Gavin, (a cancer survivor, thanks to people like you)

Gavin can help with any of your requests whether it be airport pick-ups, private tours and he can be contacted at gavinhillary@xtra.co.nz

Please mention Michael Sharpe or Corpus and Gavin will be more than happy to help.

LASTLY - Please meet at 9.00am at the Town Hall where we have 2 coaches to take us to Dunedin.

Other than all that we cannot wait to see you all in Christchurch. Any questions do not hesitate to reach out to myself or Michael.

Michael & Phillip