CBSO players and staff give us their top picks for the 2022-23 Season

SOUNDS GOOD TO US

Jo Patton, Clarinet

This year, with our new Head of Artistic planning, Anna Melville, in situ, it was with genuine curiosity & interest that I opened the new brochure. It’s a great new Season with something for everyone but I surprised myself by looking for the curious, challenging, maybe more unusual programmes – perhaps the desire to mix things up and create different experiences is the result of a different type of connection & creativity during the pandemic for me?

I am really looking forward to our Street Music concert in December (Thursday 1 December, 7.30pm) – I love the idea of putting Ellington with Stravinsky! I also love the idea of pairing Vivaldi and Piazzolla in our Four Seasons concert at the Town Hall on 22 April. The Orchestral Qawwali Project (Saturday 6 May, 7.30pm) also looks amazing! It will be great to explore more South Asian music and it looks like it’ll be a really inclusive experience with poetry, dance, and song too – I’ll definitely be doing a bit of YouTubing before that concert! I am also delighted to see Alpesh make a return for Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony No.5 (Wednesday 7 December, 2.15pm), with our own amazing leader Eugene Tzikindelean playing the Nielsen concerto. The fabulous Fabian Gabel returns for a gorgeous programme of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, Ravel’s La Valse and one of my all-time favourites, the Suite from Der Rosenkavalier in January (Thursday 19 January, 7.30pm). Last, but by no means least, my good friend & section leader Oli Janes plays the Mozart concerto in a brilliant programme conducted by another favourite, Ryan Bancroft in November (Wednesday 2 November, 2.15pm).

Pauline Cuff, Receptionist

As part of the reception team, I am in the privileged position of being able to listen to orchestra rehearsals happening literally behind me and I have a lot of contact with the players as they go about their business.

As a romantic at heart, I choose Romeo & Juliet (Wednesday 15 March, 7.30pm) and to see Mirga lead the orchestra for this will be awesome.

Graham Sibley, Tuba

Every new Season is something to look forward to, and with the transition to a new Music Director and finally putting the long silences of Covid behind us, this coming Season has given that sense of anticipation even more zest than usual.

From my perch up in the terraces I enjoy a privileged position to enjoy what looks to be a particularly exciting and varied experience in the rich acoustic of Symphony Hall; so, I thought it might be a bit different to share a tuba player’s view on what I’m eager to play among the perennial favourites and also, some of the perhaps less familiar works that you may have missed in the past.

RODERICK WILLIAMS – VAUGHAN WILLIAMS AT 150: MYSTICAL SONGS

Thurday 10 November 2022, 7.30pm

SIMON HÖFELE – STREET MUSIC

Thurday 1 December 2022, 7.30pm

ALPESH CHAUHAN: SHOSTAKOVICH’S FIFTH SYMPHONY

Wednesday 7 December 2022, 2.15pm

We were delighted recently to be able to announce our first full Season in over four years, so we asked a selection of the musicians and admin team to share which concerts they’re most excited about in the coming year.

For me, it’s going to be a real pleasure to enjoy the Vaughan Williams at 150 celebrations and to share the opportunity to do so with our fantastic CBSO Chorus in the exultant Toward the Unknown Region. The chance to hear Roderick Williams in the Five Mystical Songs in the same concert as the serene Fifth Symphony conducted by Michael Seal (Thursday 10 November, 7.30pm) is an experience not to be missed.

This Season offers the opportunity to see old friends, welcome familiar guests and experience new discoveries. As a brass player, my interest is really piqued by the return of Kevin John Edusei and debut trumpet soloist – Simon Höfele – in what will prove to be a refreshingly colourful concert of Stravinsky, Ellington & Rota and also an unfamiliar concerto by Zimmermann (Thursday 1 December, 7.30pm).

In terms of the familiar, it’s going to be a particular pleasure to welcome back Alpesh Chauhan in what I’m sure will be a blistering account of Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony, coupled with our superb leader Eugene Tzikindelean in the Nielsen Violin Concerto (Wednesday 7 December, 2.15pm).

I think that everyone will be clamouring for tickets to hear Holst’s The Planets conducted by Kazuki Yamada (Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 February) for sure as well.

From a personal performing perspective, it's a pleasure to see Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony (Wednesday 25 January, 2.15pm) make a return this Season. Prokofiev's writing for the tuba is unique as he uses the instrument so extensively as a solo bass voice within a sound world that is as individual as it is brilliantly colourful. It’s a real tuba workout! Close your eyes in the slow movement and imagine midnight amid the falling snow on a deserted Red Square in Moscow and it's exactly my experience there in 1991!

It feels almost unfair to single out individual programmes and events as there is so much to whet the appetite this Season – but these represent just a snapshot of the exciting stuff going on that struck me at the moment. Get yourself down to Symphony Hall. The tram will be running and they should have stopped moving Brum three feet to the left by then!

Adam Nagel, Research Assistant

When Violinist/conductor Pekka Kuusisto last appeared with us back in 2013, as well as the advertised programme of Bach, John Adams and Steve Reich, he announced from the stage that he would also play a selection of Finnish folk tunes while the stage was being reset for the advertised pieces. With a Pekka concert you never know quite what to expect. Whatever happens it will certainly be varied, entertaining and unusual – I can't wait for Birds of Paradise (Wednesday 23 November, 7.30pm).

And what would be more perfect on a January night than Mahler’s First Symphony (Thursday 12 January 2023, 7.30pm)?

ISATA KANNEH-MASON: PROKOFIEV & SIBELIUS

Wednesday 22 February 2023, 7.30pm

KAZUKI YAMADA CONDUCTS THE PLANETS

Wednesday 1 February 2023, 7.30pm & Thursday 2 February 2023. 2.15pm

PEKKA KUUSISTO: BIRDS OF PARADISE

Wednesday 23 November 2022, 7.30pm

SOUNDS GOOD TO US RANDALL GOOSBY – CBSO

YOUTH ORCHESTRA

Sunday 30 October 2022, 3pm

RYAN BANCROFT – MOZART’S CLARINET CONCERTO

Wednesday 2 November 2022, 2.15pm

KAZUKI CONDUCTS CARMINA BURANA

Thurday 27 April 2023, 7.30pm

Its wonderful magically atmospheric opening seems to evoke the gradual turning from winter to spring. Together with the rarely heard Blumine movement that Mahler rejected from his first symphony and the British premiere of the Third Symphony by Thomas Larcher – one of the most original contemporary voices to come out of Austria and a composer new to Birmingham audiences – this should be an interesting and stimulating evening.

Matthew Hardy, Timpani

Ryan Bancroft – I can’t imagine a better fit for Ryan’s energetic and rhythmic approach than The Chairman Dances and Symphonic Dances – two stunning pieces in their own right. (Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto Wednesday 2 November, 2.15pm) Sandwiched with our very own Oli playing Mozart, this will be a concert to remember.

Kazuki conducts The Planets (Wednesday 1 February, 7.30pm and Thursday 2 February 2023, 2.15pm) A selfish pick this – but The Planets encapsulates the best of modern-day Timpani writing. Two players on two full sets of drums passing around bass lines and melodies. It’s a really satisfying part to play and who better to guide us than Kazuki?

Mahler’s First Symphony (Thursday 12 January, 7.30pm) conducted by Gergely Madaras – I know a lot of my colleagues have played this work many, many, many times – but I’m a sucker for a tune, and Mahler 1 is one big cheese fest with a huge orchestra. What's not to love? Family Concert: Film Favourites (Sunday 12 March 2023, 2.30pm). Some of the best and most nostalgic music presented in a relaxed setting. Tom Redmond the presenter is a story-telling genius and is guaranteed to bring these amazing scores to life for all ages. My kids will be coming!

Hidden Gem – CBSO Youth Orchestra plays Bruch & Lutosławski (Sunday 30 October, 3.00pm). Often compared to Bartók’s namesake this piece is, in my opinion, far too often overlooked. Oozing with Polish Folk Melody it is a piece full of drama (and really interesting percussion writing!).

Centre Stage – don’t miss our regular Centre Stage collaboration between the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Percussion Department and the CBSO Percussion Section (Friday 2 December, 2pm). These concerts are always an eclectic mix of the known and unknown - this year featuring Steve Reich and Chinese/American composer Tan Dun.

Graham Irving, Assistant Accountant

I’m particularly looking forward to Carmina Burana next April (Thursday 27 April, 7.30pm). I have always enjoyed it and sang it as part of a children’s chorus when I was young. My best friend since childhood was in the chorus with me, and it always reminds me of him. Plus, it is so dramatic!

QUEEN SYMPHONIC: A ROCK ORCHESTRA EXPERIENCE

Friday 26 May 2023, 7.30pm

EUGENE TZIKINDELEAN – FOUR SEASONS

Saturday 22 April 2023, 7pm

MIRGA GRAŽINYTĖ-TYLA – THE SEA

Wednesday 28 September 2022, 2.15pm

Melanie Ryan, CRM & Insight Manager

I’m looking forward to another performance of The Dream of Gerontius by the CBSO (Thursday 2 March, 7.30pm) in the city for which Elgar composed it. It’s profoundly moving (the last time I heard the CBSO perform it, the man next to me had tears streaming down his face) and I’m sure will be even more so with the backdrop of the pandemic, war and climate crisis. I’m not religious in the slightest, but this music speaks to me on a very human level, and there just might be tears in my eyes this time.

Charlotte Wheeler, Development Events Officer

I’m most looking forward to the CBSO & The Orchestral Qawwali Project (Saturday 6 May, 7.30pm) as it will be an amazing one to watch, Licence to Thrill: The Very Best of Bond (Friday 10 February, 7.30pm) will be a huge hit with our Corporate Sponsors, and Birds of Paradise (Wednesday 23 November, 7.30pm) sounds like a fantastic concert too!

Susan Price, Finance Assistant

I was delighted to see Queen Symphonic (Friday 26 May, 7.30pm) in the Season brochure. I’m a huge fan, but I think it shows the orchestra in a totally different way and it will be really enjoyable to hear the music played on different instruments. I will probably also give Licence to Thrill: The Very Best of Bond (Friday 10 February, 7.30pm) a go too to hear those iconic themes played live. Was also delighted to see Barber’s Adagio for Strings in the Classic FM Hall of Fame programme (Friday 20 January, 7.30pm), it’s one of my absolute favourites.

Arthur Boutillier, Cello

Anything with Kazuki conducting is a must for me, he is just a delight to watch and I’m really looking forward to The Planets (Wednesday 1 February, 7.30pm & Thursday 2 February, 2.15pm), as well as Shostakovich’s Fifth (Wednesday 7 December, 2.15pm) and of course Romeo and Juliet (Wednesday 15 March, 7.30pm).

It's a very exciting new Season coming ahead! Lots of great classics such as La mer in September paired with the music of Britten, Adès and Weinberg! (Wednesday 28 September, 2.15pm)

French Conductor Fabien Gabel is returning with the amazing Augustin Hadelich to perform one of my favourites, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, paired with Ravel's electrified La Valse! (Thursday 19 January, 7.30pm)

After a great week recently with the Kazui Yamada/ Daishin Kashimoto duo, they are returning in May – Kazuki conducts Scheherazade – and it's already promising to be another fantastic week of music making and fun (Wednesday 3 May, 2.15pm).

Finally, I am particularly looking forward to the Four Seasons concert in April (Town Hall, Saturday 22 April, 7.00pm). Having a full symphony orchestra unconducted is so powerful, but even more when it is our own Leader Eugene Tzikindelean!

LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT ROUND UP

The spring term saw the department return to levels of pre-pandemic activity both in and out of school. Between January – April we delivered:

 82 workshops across 16 schools as part of our residency programmes engaging with 934 individual pupils  13 live or streamed schools’ concerts reaching almost 12,000 children and young people  6 concerts for early years and family audiences  13 community choir rehearsals  26 rehearsals and performances by young instrumentalists as part of CBSO Youth Orchestra and Project Remix

A big thank you to our individual, corporate and trust funders who have helped make these projects happen.

PROJECT REMIX

Project Remix once again brought together talented young instrumentalists from across the Midlands to the glittering lights of Symphony Hall. This year we celebrated Birmingham’s rich cultural and musical heritage mix in a showcase of Bollywood Hits. Participating instrumentalists were mentored through weekly rehearsals by a team of CBSO musicians in preparation for their showcase performance on 20 February with South Asian artists Tommy Khosla and Navin Kundra.

MYTHS AND LEGENDS

Over the Spring term we launched a new mini residency project, using the theme of the February CBSO Family Concert – Myths and Legends as the impetus for the project. This project enabled 358 Key Stage 2 Pupils (aged 7-11) from eight primary schools across the region to; engage creatively with a team of CBSO musicians and visual artists to produce and perform their own music and art, participate in live trio visits in their school and attend the CBSO Family Concert – Myths and Legends, to watchthe full-scale symphony orchestra in the spectacular Symphony Hall.

To listen to the final compositions for each school please visit cbso.co.uk/education/

primary-schools/myths-and-legends

YOUTH AMBASSADORS

Having appointed a team of Youth Ambassadors to help advise the organisation on how to reinvent the concert experience for new audiences, and following a term of workshops to support them in programming and curating their concert, our audiences finally got to see the product of their hard work in March. Having given the Youth Ambassadors carte blanche to create their concert experience, they challenged and subverted expectations of what an orchestral concert could be. Their response to the brief was to devise three ‘rooms’ for the audience to experience – think music reflecting the mood of your party rooms – no need to get up and move; each room comes to you in the Hall, with each being designed to showcase the CBSO in a different light. The concert was conducted by our own Youth Orchestra Alumnus Ben Gernon and featured music by Respighi, Dukas, Missy Mazzoli, Philip Glass and Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Turntables with four-times World DJ Champion, Mr Switch.

SCHOOLS’ CONCERTS

At the beginning of February nearly 7,000 young people from across the Midlands and beyond attended one of our schools’ concerts at Symphony Hall or CBSO Centre, performed by the Orchestra. We presented a total of 12 schools’ concerts and for many in the audience, this was their first experience of hearing an orchestra perform live. We took the audience on a voyage of exploration – KS2 & KS3 pupils had the opportunity to delve into the natural world with presenter Tom Redmond, while our KS1 audiences joined Charlotte Skinner and Bryony Morrison to embark on an out of this world space adventure before Jane Wright, Ratty, Mole and Badger united with audiences for our relaxed concerts, inspired by Kenneth Grahame’s book The Wind in the Willows. Alongside our live relaxed concerts, we also streamed the performance for around 5,000 young people with additional needs, unable to attend in person.

OUR CHORUSES

Photos © Andrew Fox

The CBSO Chorus sprang back into live concert-giving over the 2021/22 Season, opening the Season with Poulenc’s Gloria and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. Also included were our CBSO Youth Chorus, performing Fauré’s Messe Basse, where we welcomed back a number of our Youth Chorus alumni who had been unable to perform their last ever Youth Chorus performance in 2020, due to the pandemic.

For the CBSO Chorus, Fauré’s Requiem followed in November 2021, and just over a week later they were performing Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen – the first of their Czech pieces scheduled for the Season.

Throughout Autumn and Winter, the Children’s Chorus and Youth Chorus were warming up their voices, ready for their first Christmas concerts since 2019. Repertoire included the funky Christmas on the Beach at Waikiki (complete with kazoos and choreography) for the Junior Children’s Chorus, Children’s Chorus, the hilarious The Twelve Days After Christmas by the Youth Chorus; in addition to a brand-new piece written especially for the CSBO Chorus, Christmas Bells by our very own chorus founder member, Phil Rawle. The CBSO Chorus also entertained at Birmingham Snow Hill offices, singing some well-known carols one lunchtime to workers in festive jumpers and Santa hats.

The new year began with Debussy’s Sirens sung by the Youth Chorus and followed by a UK premiere of Nathaniel Dett’s The Ordering of Moses, sung by the CBSO Chorus, which was recorded by BBC Radio 3. The CBSO Chorus then ventured on their very first daytrip since 2020, to the Barbican Centre in London, giving a 5-star performance of Janáček’s Glagolitic Mass with the Czech Philharmonic led by Semyon Bychkov.

The Junior Chorus and the Children’s Chorus each had their own opportunity to shine in a pre-concert performance at Symphony Hall. The Children’s Chorus wowed audience members before the Family Concert back in March, and the Junior Chorus captivated the crowd before one of the CBSO’s Friday Night Classics in April.

The CBSO Chorus debuted their version of Handel’s Messiah this June, with an intimate onstage performance with the CBSO at Symphony Hall, for the first time in their 49-year history!

They will next be performing Mahler’s Symphony No.2, both in Birmingham and also at this year’s BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall – which will officially close the CBSO Chorus 2021/22 Season.

You can still see them perform over the summer though as our Junior, Children’s and Youth Choruses have a performance in July with our community choir, SO Vocal, to perform an uplifting range of repertoire, celebrating SO Vocal’s 10-year anniversary at Birmingham Town Hall on 17 July.

All choruses have been conducting auditions and re-auditions throughout the Season, and we have been grateful that so many of our members have stuck with us throughout our online rehearsals during the pandemic. Our membership alone has made the last nine months of singing possible, and we are keen for many more singers, of any age, to come and join us for the 2022/23 season. Find out more at cbso.co.uk/sing.

THE SOUND OF THE FUTURE

Photo © River Rae

OUR CAMPAIGN FOR MUSICAL LIFE IN THE WEST MIDLANDS

The Sound of the Future campaign will reinvigorate the way we work, using music to connect communities, inspire participation and captivate audiences across the Midlands, the UK and the world. Our ambitious plans fall within four key priorities and we would love you to help us make them a reality:

OFFERING LIFE-ENRICHING ARTISTIC EXPERIENCES

By investing in the most ambitious artistic projects performed by the very best musicians you could bring joy to concertgoers worldwide.

ENRICHING MORE LIVES IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES

You can help us bring inspirational musical experiences to even more people, regardless of background or bank balance.

NURTURING TALENT

With your support we will give budding and brilliant musicians unrivalled opportunities to realise their potential right here in Birmingham.

WELCOMING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONCERTGOERS

Your support will enable us to innovate in order to introduce younger and more diverse audiences to music.

Get involved by becoming a member, making a donation, leaving a gift in your will, joining our corporate community or supporting through a charitable trust or foundation. For more information about the Sound of the Future Campaign and how you can support the future of music-making in the West Midlands, please visit cbso.co.uk/future or call us on 0121 616 6500.

MEET THE NEW DEVELOPMENT TEAM

Photo © Hannah Fathers

From left to right: Charlie Wheeler, Meg Bradshaw, Claire Tilt, Rachel Cooper and Eve Vines

CLAIRE TILT Director of Development

My love of music started at an early age, when I used to pretend to play the piano on an old wooden bureau in my parents’ house, so I was bought a piano. Fast forward 38 years and that same piano is now in our family home being plonked on again as my five-year-old daughter starts on her musical journey.

Music has always been such a large part of my life, and after leaving school I studied at Trinity College of Music, and was lucky enough to be the first Student Union President of their (not so) new home in Greenwich. Having turned down an opportunity to study postgrad at Royal College of Music I came to a bit of a crossroads. What did I want to do, how could my skills as a performer be used in the workplace and what was I good at?

Turns out I was quite good at talking to people and building relationships and so started off my career in fundraising and alumni relations at Trinity College of Music. Professional life took me from London to Leicester, to Wolverhampton and now to Birmingham, although I still live in Wolverhampton, and have always supported Wolverhampton Wanderers.

So, for me being the Director of Development at the CBSO means so much more than just turning up to work every day. Its part of my DNA as a musician and with all the inspirational stories of how music enriches lives both in and out of Symphony Hall, in schools and in communities, it gives me a real chance to make a difference.

Outside of work I still play, I lead (or should that be busk!) the 2nd violins of Wolverhampton Symphony Orchestra and I sing in Wolverhampton Chamber Choir. With two young girls, Hannah (5) and Sophie (3) practice definitely doesn’t make it very high up on the list of priorities! As a family, we have a love of the outdoors and have just brought a static caravan in North Wales. I am looking forward to creating memories together as a family, escaping to the seaside and being outdoors.

Finally to our audiences and supporters, I just wanted to say thank you for making me feel so welcome in the first couple of months. I’m really looking forward to meeting you all and thanking you personally for everything you do for the CBSO.

RACHEL COOPER

Development Administrator

I’m Rachel, and I started as the Development Administrator in April. Part of my role is looking after our memberships, and so you may have heard from me already! It’s been such a pleasure to chat to so many lovely people who support us, and I look forward to getting to know you all even better in our exciting new Season.

I grew up in Birmingham and throughout my education have always loved the arts, though a lot of my prior experience has been more theatre based. Before the CBSO I worked at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and volunteered at The Crescent Theatre for several years, before joining a local soft drinks manufacturer in the admin team. I am excited to be back working in the arts again and I can’t wait to learn more about the world of orchestral music!

Outside of work, I enjoy illustration and so like filling up the house with artwork and doodles- I’m currently working on a children’s book to share with my toddler at bedtime. I also enjoy curling up with a good book and a cuppa or catching up on my favourite programmes – I could quite happily talk for hours about Inside No. 9 or Escape to the Chateau!

CHARLIE WHEELER Development Events Officer

This is my first time working in the arts, having moved into this role from recruitment and my day-to-day conversation are already drastically different, in the best way possible. Working as the Events Officer is ideal for me as I love meeting people, having a chat and getting to know you and if there is a bar, I won’t be far away!

An obvious, yet unexpected joy to this role is the exposure to the range of music and repertoire the CBSO performs. Orchestral and classical music can be daunting when you don’t know a lot about it and having the opportunity attend concerts, discuss the music with audiences and members and share the visceral experience of watching the orchestra live is unforgettable for me.

I look forward to meeting more of you, and hopefully my knowledge will be slightly more up to scratch so I can drop some impressive one-liners in our next conversation!

CBSO MEMBERS’ NEWS

It’s been an exciting few months within the Development Team as we’ve welcomed Claire Tilt as our new Director of Development and two new members of the Development Team, Charlie Wheeler and Rachel Cooper (read more about them on page 19). We’ve celebrated the launch of our first full concert Season since before the pandemic and with that the return of a busy Members’ Events calendar. Before all of that we’re looking forward to returning to the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 25 July for our Proms performance with Kazuki Yamada, who features at the festival for the very first time. We still have spaces available on the coach for this day trip so if you’d like to join us, get in touch with Rachel – see below for contact details.

MEMBERS’ CONTACTS

EVE VINES Memberships and Appeals Manager: 0121 616 6541 | evines@cbso.co.uk RACHEL COOPER Development Administrator: 0121 616 6510 | rcooper@cbso.co.uk CHARLIE WHEELER Development Events Officer: 0121 616 6500 | cwheeler@cbso.co.uk APHRA HISCOCK Marketing & Development Communications Officer: 0121 616 6514 | ahiscock@cbso.co.uk

REMEMBERING THELMA

Thelma Justham, who died on 24 May at the age of 97, was a very long-standing supporter and much-loved member of the CBSO family. She was a regular and knowledgeable concert-goer, and always enjoyed meeting members of the orchestra at Members’ events. She had a particularly close connection with our Associate Conductor Michael Seal, whose position she supported for many years. Thelma’s family have been tremendously generous supporters of the CBSO, contributing to a number of our campaigns, and her son Jamie is active as a member of the Campaign Board for our Sound of the Future fundraising campaign, and is a former trustee of the CBSO Development Trust. The Justham Auditorium at CBSO Centre, where CBSO orchestra and chorus rehearsals take place, and the new Justham Family Room at Symphony Hall, are both named in honour of the family’s generosity.

CONCERTS BY COACH

TO FIND OUT MORE

Visit cbso.co.uk/coaches Call 0121 616 6500 Email marketing@cbso.co.uk

We know that not everyone wants to drive or get public transport into Birmingham, so we will be running coaches for concerts from Cheltenham this Season.

Coach tickets are £17.50 return and can be booked at the same time as your tickets, either online or by calling the B:Music Box Office on 0121 780 3333. You can find a full list of the coaches

running this Season on our website at cbso.co/uk/coaches

MEMBERS’ EVENTS

Our 2022-23 Season is full of engaging Members’ Events, offering you the opportunity to discuss our concert programmes with like-minded Members, CBSO players, and visiting artists. This Season there will be three Afternoon Teas, eight Members’ Receptions, and our usual extensive range of Open Rehearsals. Later in the summer we’ll be announcing a new event, exclusive to Members, which will be launching this season – look out for more information about that in our Members’ update emails and online!

MEMBERS’ RECEPTIONS

Photo © Hannah Fathers Our Members’ Receptions are listed in the Season brochure and on the events booking form – please do join us pre-concert for a glass of wine or cup of tea, we love chatting to you at these receptions! Eligibility for Members’ Receptions is as follows:

 Friends: 1 reception  Gold Friends, Patrons and Silver Patrons: 2 receptions  Gold Patrons: 4 receptions.

For more information on Members’ Events, and how to book, visit cbso.co.uk/membersevents or call Rachel using the details opposite.

Photo © Hannah Fathers

AFTERNOON TEAS

A particular highlight will be our Afternoon Tea on Wednesday 2 November, at which conductor Ryan Bancroft and Section Leader Clarinet Oliver Janes will join Members for what is sure to be a celebratory afternoon following Oliver’s performance of Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto. We’ll feature a line-up of CBSO musicians at the tea on Wednesday 25 January, following their performance of Prokofiev Symphony No.5 and we’re also thrilled to be welcoming Kazuki Yamada and Daishin Kashimoto on Wednesday 3 May. Firm friends both on and off-stage, this is set to be a thoroughly entertaining event.

OPEN REHEARSALS

A full season of Open Rehearsals at Symphony Hall returns from September. Join the Orchestra at their final rehearsal before the concert as they put the finishing touches to their preparations.

Rehearsals are free to attend, please show your membership card on arrival. You no longer need to notify us in advance of your intention to attend a rehearsal, but we do still advise you to call 0121 616 6533 the morning of the rehearsal to listen to a recorded message confirming the times, as the start times are liable to change from the times advertised. Please note, these are working rehearsals for the Orchestra, and we kindly ask for concert conditions from those watching so the musicians are not distracted.

Photo © Hannah Fathers

Open Rehearsal dates and times:

 Tues 20 September 2.30pm-4.30pm  Thurs 6 October 2.30pm-5.30pm  Weds 23 November 3pm-5.30pm  Weds 7 December 9.45am-12.45pm  Thurs 19 January 2023 3.30pm-5.30pm  Thurs 16 February 2023 10.15am-1.15pm  Weds 8 March 2023 2.30pm-5.30pm  Weds 19 April 2023 10.15am-1.15pm  Weds 10 May 2023 2.30pm-5.30pm  Weds 14 June 2023 Time tbc

Since the last issue of Music Stand, we’ve been delighted to welcome lots of new faces and to also see some longer standing members of the admin team step into new roles as follows.

HELEN BENSON

Our new Principal Piccolo, Helen joined the CBSO on June 13 having lived and worked abroad for 17 years. Prior to joining the CBSO Helen was with Oslo Philharmonic and you can find out more about Helen on our website.

RUTH BERTRAM

Ruth joined the CBSO Casual Events team in 2016. She later moved to work in both our Learning & Engagement and Planning teams, helping with a range of projects. We are thrilled to have her on board as our Planning Officer on a fixed term contract.

RACHEL COOPER

Rachel joined the Development team as Development Administrator in April, having previously worked for Purity Soft Drinks and Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

MADDI BELSEY-DAY

Having spent six years in our Planning Team, first as our Concerts Administrator and later as our Assistant Planning Manager, Maddi recently became our Tours and Project Manager. Our new Assistant Orchestra Manager started with us on 20 June and was previously with Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance as their Department Coordinator for Jazz and Strings.

ALAN JOHNSON

Having joined the CBSO in 2019 as our Assistant Orchestra Manager, following several years working with our Centre and Platform teams, Alan is now changing posts and from 1 June 2022 is the CBSO Centre Manager.

SEAN KEENAGHAN

Sean recently joined the CBSO on a permanent contract as Buildings and Facilities Coordinator, part of the team who ensure the smooth running of CBSO Centre. Sean has been a regular member of the casual Events and Platform Team since 2015.

TOM LEAVER

Tom joined the Marketing and Communications team as Marketing and Development Data Officer, having previously worked as a personal trainer.

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC ...

JONATHAN HOLLAND

Jonathan, who was our Section Leader Trumpet, left on April 5 after almost 40 years with the Orchestra. Given the length of service from Jon, it felt only appropriate to invite his colleagues to share some of their thoughts and memories with us…

Jon studied at the Royal College of Music and joined the CBSO in 1984, becoming Section Leader Trumpet in 1987. He played regularly with the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group and has taught at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for over 30 years. Though he’s leaving the CBSO, we definitely hope to see him back as a freelancer in the near future.  “Jon has been ‘leading the line’ for the CBSO since long before I arrived here in 1999. Through all the amazing variety of repertoire and concerts in that time – and all the different demands they make on a First Trumpet – Jon has been a fixed point of excellence, giving the whole orchestra and conductors whatever was needed: a rock-solid rhythmic presence, a gleam of brilliance, a soulful solo, or the self-confident swagger on those magical nights when the CBSO turns into a Big Band.

Off the platform Jon has been a wonderful colleague to so many people, bringing to all his roles – Section Leader, Chair of the Players Committee, Pension Fund Trustee and many others – a seriousness and diligence alongside very good judgement.

His presence both on stage and off will be greatly missed. Thank you Jon!”  “Jon Holland is a superb orchestral musician. The reliability of his playing is the stuff of legend, yet he constantly pushes himself to the limits, seeking and achieving the whole range of musical expression, from tremendous excitement to great sensitivity. Through extraordinarily conscientious commitment he has sustained these qualities over a long career in a position in which the pressure is often intense. His contribution to the CBSO has been of huge significance. He is friendly, calm, fair and good-humoured and I will miss him personally as well as professionally. I wish him the very best for the future.

Tony Howe, Principal Second Trombone

 “There are not many times you can truly use the word legend – but now is definitely one of them. I have known Jon since 1986 and right from the word go, I was stunned and overwhelmed to be sitting next to such

Tom Joined the CBSO as Director of Learning & Engagement in May from the Philharmonia where he has been the cross-departmental lead for their Virtual Orchestra, a large-scale digital-led audience development initiative. He has also been the programme lead for the Philharmonia’s Artist in Residence scheme.

CLAIRE TILT

Our new Director of Development Claire, joined the CBSO in late April having been Head of Alumni and Development at the University of Wolverhampton for ten years, following previous positions at De Montfort University and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

CHARLOTTE WHEELER

Charlie joined the Development team in April as Events Officer and is new to the arts – she previously worked in recruitment.

We’ve also been very sorry to have to bid farewell to the following people...

SEV KUCUKOGULLARI

Having spent the last five years splitting her time between being the friendly face of the CBSO reception desk and her art gallery TStreet, Sev has now left the CBSO to take on a new challenge as General Manager of the Coventry Biennial.

NIKI LONGHURST

After a remarkable 23 years of service, our Centre Manager Niki Longhurst has waved goodbye to the CBSO for a career change. Having kept a huge variety of projects at the Centre running smoothly for many years, she will now be putting her project management skills to good use as a Product Change Specialist for Cadbury/ Mondelez.

BETHAN MCKNIGHT

Bethan was the CBSO’s Development Administrator for five years and recently left to join architecture firm Donald Insall Associates as their Administration Assistant. Although Tomo left the CBSO Centre team in February 2022 to expand on his freelance technical portfolio, he is still a regular member of the CBSO Technical team, lending his expertise to our sound and lighting desk on a freelance basis.

HANNAH MUDDIMAN

After four years at the CBSO, Hannah has moved on from her role as Tours and Planning Manager to join the Citizens Advice Bureau.

FRANCESCA SPICKERNELL

After just over two years with the CBSO as our Head of Philanthropy, Frankie has left to join the team at The Factory in Manchester.

ANNMARIE WALLIS

Our Director of Finance since 2009, Annmarie oversaw countless Board and committee meetings, budget sheets and forecasts to ensure that the CBSO was always in robust financial health. We are grateful for the very many hours she put in and wish her a very happy retirement.

THE MUSIC ...

a phenomenal trumpet player. His sound, stamina, tuning, power, range and all round musicianship was both frightening to me but also truly inspiring. Jon has been the epitome of the perfect orchestral First Trumpet player, and it’s truly amazing that he has kept his level of performance so high for so long in such a pressured position. He has perfected the art of leading a trumpet section, but has also moulded the section stylistically and artistically. His level of accuracy is phenomenal – we used to comment amongst the section that he went for years (yes years!) without ever making a mistake or cracking a note! One performance in particular tells you the kind of person Jon is: we were performing in Paris and, after a morning rehearsal, we had lunch in a seafood restaurant. Later on Jon found out to his cost, that he was acutely allergic to shellfish and eventually was taken to a French hospital. We were all worried about who was going to step in and play the First Trumpet part, but, truly remarkably, Jon appeared at the concert hall in time to play the show – and, of course, it was perfect! ”

Jonathan Quirk, Principal Trumpet

 “We first met Jonathan in 2000 after we arranged what was then called a ‘Chair Endowment’ in memory of my father, who had died earlier that year and had been keen on brass band music. Because of this, we wanted to be linked to a brass player, and the CBSO suggested Jonathan Holland. It was a relatively new concept for individuals to endow a chair, and Jonathan was a good sport in taking on the role and meeting up with us regularly. We mutually decided that a pre-concert supper at a nearby restaurant would be an excellent way to get to know one another and have continued this intermittently over the years. Until then, we had never met an orchestral player; we had only ever enjoyed concerts from afar. From Jon, we gained an insight into how an orchestra works and all the behind the scenes effort that contributes to the final success of a concert. We also have a much better understanding of musicians and their instruments, all enhancing our concert-going. It has been a privilege to have an association with Jon over the past 22 years, and we wish him well.”

Allan and Jennifer Buckle – Concerto Circle members and Jon’s player supporters.

 “Having the opportunity to work with Jon for the past three years, has been truly inspirational. He is an incredibly talented musician and performer, and it is through this ability, combined with amazing levels of dedication and commitment, that Jon has been able to maintain a level of performance that is almost unparalleled. I wish Jon all the best for the future.”

Richard Watkin, Section Leader Trombone

THANK YOU

The support we receive from thousands of individual donors, public funders, businesses and private foundations allows us to present extraordinary performances and to create exciting activities in schools and communities. Your support makes such a difference and is much appreciated.

EDUCATION PARTNERS PRINCIPAL FUNDERS

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William King Ltd

IN-KIND SUPPORTERS TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS

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FUNDERS

www.prsformusicfoundation.com 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust ABO Trust’s Sirens Programme Miss Albright Grimley Charity The Andor Charitable Trust The Lord Austin Trust The John Avins Trust Backstage Trust The Rachel Baker Memorial Charity Bite Size Pieces The Boshier-Hinton Foundation British Korean Society The Charles Brotherton Trust The Edward & Dorothy Cadbury Trust Edward Cadbury Charitable Trust The George Cadbury Fund The R V J Cadbury Charitable Trust CBSO Development Trust City of Birmingham Orchestral Endowment Fund The John S Cohen Foundation The Cole Charitable Trust The George Henry Collins Charity The Concertina Charitable Trust Baron Davenport’s Charity The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Dunard Fund The W E Dunn Trust The W.G. Edwards Charitable Foundation John Ellerman Foundation The Eveson Charitable Trust The John Feeney Charitable Trust George Fentham Birmingham Charity Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Settlement Fidelio Charitable Trust The Garrick Charitable Trust The Golsoncott Foundation Grantham Yorke Trust The Grey Court Trust The Grimmitt Trust LG Harris Trust The Derek Hill Foundation The Joseph Hopkins and Henry James Sayer Charities John Horniman’s Children’s Trust The Irving Memorial Trust

The JABBS Foundation Lillie Johnson Charitable Trust The Kobler Trust James Langley Memorial Trust The Leverhulme Trust LJC Fund Limoges Charitable Trust The S & D Lloyd Charity The Helen Rachael Mackaness Charitable Trust The MacRobert Trust The McLay Dementia Trust The James Frederick & Ethel Anne Measures Charity The Anthony and Elizabeth Mellows Charitable Trust MFPA Trust Fund for the Training of Handicapped Children in the Arts Millichope Foundation The David Morgan Music Trust The Oakley Charitable Trust The Patrick Trust The Misses C M Pearson & M V Williams Charitable Trust Perry Family Charitable Trust The Bernard Piggott Charitable Trust PRS Foundation’s The Open Fund for Organisations The Radcliffe Trust Rathbones Trust Company The Ratcliff Foundation The Rainbow Dickinson Trust Clive & Sylvia Richards Charity Rix-Thompson-Rothenberg Foundation The M K Rose Charitable Trust The Rowlands Trust RVW Trust The Saintbury Trust The E H Smith Charitable Trust F C Stokes Trust For more information on Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust C B & H H Taylor 1984 Trust how your organisation can G J W Turner Trust engage with the CBSO, The Roger & Douglas Turner Charitable Trust please contact contact Garfield Weston Foundation Megan Bradshaw, Corporate The Wolfson Foundation Partnership and Events The Alan Woodfield Charitable Trust Manager, on 0121 616 6514 or mbradshaw@cbso.co.uk Thank you also to our Major Donors, Benefactors, Circles Members, Patrons and Friends for their generous support.